The IDF reported that Warrant Officer (res.) Aviv Magen, 43, from the town of Herut, was on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon when a mortar impacted near where he was stationed last night (Sunday) evening.
Magen was serving in the same unit as Itai Azulay, who was killed instantly in the attack. Magen was severely wounded. He was immediately airlifted to the Rambam Hospital, where he tragically passed away this morning (Monday). Both Magen and Aviv were members of the IDF’s elite 5515 combat mobility unit, as reported by The Times of Israel.
A third reservist who was with them at the time was seriously wounded and was also airlifted to Rambam Hospital.
What is the 5515 Unit (and why have most of us never heard about them?)
According to Ynet, "The 5515th Transport Unit of the Commando Brigade, an elite unit of selected drivers, is capable of transporting soldiers to any location, in all terrain and weather conditions. [Although] They have been doing this for over 35 years, only in the current war in Gaza have they received public attention." This was after they participated in the mission to save Hamas hostages Louis Har and Fernando Marman from a Gaza apartment. Ynet adds that "even before that, the operational drivers participated in many operations with the special units in the West Bank and received awards for their conduct and bravery."
