The IDF on Sunday announced the death of Major Jalaa Ibrahem, aged 25, a company commander in the 601stCombat Engineering Battalion,who fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
His family was notified, and his funeral will take place on Monday at noon.
Ibrahem was killed by an anti-tank missile in Rafah, Israeli media reported.
KAN reported that Ibrahem's family played key roles in the IDF, with three of his brothers serving as officers in the Combat Engineering Corps, and his grandfather was killed in and IDF operation in Tulkarm in 1968. His father served in theIsrael Police.
Ibrahem was previously interviewed by KAN, and was quoted as stating, "We do quite a lot, and what we do is significant," and added that "In the end we want to destroy Hamas, we didn't enter Gaza to teach it a lesson. We need to make sure it doesn't exist after that, and stay inside until we finish the job. We're far from finished."
הריאיון האחרון של רס "ן ג'לאא, שנפל ברפיח, ל-@AyalaHasson:"למלחמה מחירים כבדים אבל החשיבות של מה שאנחנו עושים מנצחת הכול"pic.twitter /Be9JfTuGQ2
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news)July 7, 2024
'The spirit of the soldiers is stronger'
He also spoke to KAN about the heavy costs of war, but spoke of the spirit of soldiers, "War has heavy costs, but the importance of what we do inside wins everything. It's hard inside [Gaza], but the spirit of the soldiers is stronger."
Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, eulogized Ibrahem, calling him "one of the best sons and commanders."
He also spoke about the role of theDruze community in the war,noting the exacting price of war on the community. "The heart is simply torn to pieces."
KAN quoted Trif as stating, "We discover again and again the partnership on the battlefield and the quality in the burden as well as in the loss. This partnership and equality must exist in everyday life."