Lieutenant Paz Elyahu
Second Lt. Paz Elyahu was a combat soldier in the Paratrooper Brigade. He died in combat in Gaza on Tuesday, July 22 after entering a booby-trapped house in Khan Yunis. Nearby gunmen detonated an explosive device and then opened gunfire on the soldiers. Three soldiers were killed in the attack. Israel Hayom quoted Elyahu’s father, Uri, sharing a conversation he had with his son: “I’m taking care of myself,” Paz had said, “but like you taught me — I’m first, I’m the squad leader. My guys are with me and I’m with them, through fire and water.” He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and girlfriend of seven years. Elyahu was from Kibbutz Evron and was 22 years old.