IDF tragedy: Reservist Ronen Portnoy found lifeless on base

Master Sergeant Ronen Portnoy from Kiryat Bialik, a fighter and commander in Battery A, Battalion 9305 of the 454th Fire Brigade, was found lifeless last Saturday at an IDF base in southern Israel.

An IDF spokesperson stated: "An IDF soldier was found lifeless on Saturday at a base in the south of the country. Following the incident, an investigation was opened by the Military Police, and upon its conclusion, the findings will be submitted to the Military Prosecutor’s Office for review. The family was notified. The IDF shares in the family’s grief and will continue to support them."

Portnoy, a civil engineering student at the Technion, was remembered fondly by his school. "We share in the sorrow of the family of civil engineering student Ronen Portnoy, of blessed memory. May his memory be a blessing," the engineering school said in a statement. Last night, Kiryat Bialik Mayor Eli Dukorsky visited the family’s home to offer condolences.

In a moving Facebook post earlier this week, Portnoy’s older brother Alex wrote: "Roni, my little brother, we were born to different mothers, but we were as close as brothers could be! It took us many years to reconnect, and since then, we were brothers in soul. Then on Saturday, you decided to leave us forever. Rest now. I will never forget you." Today, he added: "Our brother, we are fighting for your truth! We will turn the world upside down for you!"

The 454th Fire Brigade mourned his loss: "We lost a commander who was a central figure in the battery and battalion. Portnoy left behind a spirit of unity, his smile, his joy for life, his friendliness, his care, his professionalism, his dedication to every task, his persistence to succeed in every goal, and his strong desire to help anyone who crossed his path. May his memory be a blessing."

Portnoy will be laid to rest tonight at 20:00 at the military cemetery in Haifa. His family will sit shiva for him at 2 Naomi Shemer Street in Kiryat Bialik.