Alexander, Danila, Eliav and Yahav fell in battle in Gaza 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday night that four soldiers fell in battle during operations in the northern Gaza Strip.

Sergeant Major (Res.) Alexander Fedorenko, 37

Alexander Fedorenko, from Bat Yam, served as a heavy truck driver in the 79th Battalion of the 14th 'Machatz' Brigade. Born in Ukraine, Alexander immigrated to Israel at the age of four and lived in Bat Yam ever since. He had been serving in the reserves nearly continuously since the outbreak of the war on October 7.

The Bat Yam municipality expressed deep sorrow: "Alexander, who devoted his life to the nation, will always be remembered as a hero of Israel. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Irina, children Daniel and Tom, and his entire family. May his memory be a blessing."

Staff Sergeant Danila Diakov, 21

A resident of Ma’ale Adumim, Danila served in the 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade. Ma’ale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach mourned the loss: "Dear residents, with heavy pain, I announce the fall of our brave soldier and hero, Staff Sergeant Danila Diakov, in Gaza. Our hearts are with his grieving family—parents Alexander and Natalia, and sisters Alina and Maya—who received the most devastating news today."

Funeral arrangements for Danila will be shared in due course.

Sergeant Yahav Maayan, 19, and Sergeant Eliav Astuker, 19

Yahav Maayan, from Modi’in, and Eliav Astuker, from Ashdod, also fell in combat while serving in the 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade. Both young men were remembered as dedicated soldiers who gave their lives defending Israel.

The IDF, along with the cities of Bat Yam, Ma’ale Adumim, Modi’in, and Ashdod, joins the families of these fallen heroes in mourning their loss. May their memory forever be a blessing.