Maj. (res.) Akiva Yasinski, 35, from Ramat Gan, a soldier in the 8173rd Engineer Battalion in the Etzioni Brigade (6), who fell last night in battle in the central Gaza Strip, is now being laid to rest in the Kiryat Shaul cemetery. Yasinski, an engineer by training, fell in an incident in which a truck delivering explosives to destroy tunnels in the al-Bureij neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip exploded. Five other fighters fell with him.
Only in October he completed his degree in mechanical engineering. He immigrated to Israel 21 years ago from Ukraine, converted to Judaism and changed his name. Last night, upon learning the bitter news, his wife and friends told him that he was a very Zionist man who had fought in the past in Cast Lead, Pillar of Defense and Operation Protective Edge. Although he served in the north at the beginning of the war, he and his platoon volunteered to move to Gaza.
Ramat Gan's rabbi, Aharon Katz, eulogized him: "You were ready to fight for the country and also give your life. Keep accompanying us, enlightening us. We in the city of Ramat Gan promise to remember you and remember you. We promise to read Kaddish about you on your memorial days. You are an important stone in building the Land of Israel and love of Israel."
Major (Res.) Akiva Yasinski, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Olga, his wife, said last night in tears: "We have been married for ten years. Yesterday I spoke to him for the last time and he sounded good. He didn't let us worry, didn't let us feel fear. It was important to him to live in a Jewish state and said that our entire country is ours. He only came home twice for vacation - for one day. When they began to be released from the reserves, he said he didn't want to be released, that the mission in Gaza had to be completed for the sake of the state. He wanted us to live in security in our country. 'We've done a great job, we can't stop now,' he said."
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