In Their Death, They Commanded Us to Live
A Memorial Project for the Fallen of the Swords of Iron War
In Their Death, They Commanded Us to Live
A Memorial Project for the Fallen of the Swords of Iron War
In his poem “Song of the Land,” the late Israeli poet Natan Yonatan wrote:
A land sweetened by its clods of soil
And all her shores salty as tears
That its lovers gave her
All they had to give.
The map of the fallen in the Swords of Iron War, among Israel’s other wars, presented here, poignantly reflects these lines. The lovers of the land—who gave her all they could—come from every corner: veteran reservists with families; young men, handsome and noble, just beginning their journey in life; female soldiers and combat support; Jews and non-Jews; native-born Israelis and immigrants, both new and longstanding. They are the ones who sweetened the soil of this land and allowed us to walk its paths, and the sorrow of their absence is soaked in the salty waters of our beautiful country’s shores.
As the price of our existential wars grows, the immense debt we owe to the fallen and their families also deepens. The number killed in this most recent war—one that is not yet over—is unfathomable. But we must not allow the scale of loss to obscure the truth that behind every number and every title are faces and names: loved ones and family members; a child who will no longer call out “Abba” (daddy) and a father who will no longer embrace his daughter. Entire worlds.
Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror is a national day of remembrance, but its sanctity is felt in every passing minute. To continue Natan Yonatan’s poem:
Every spring, her yellow wildflowers return
To cover the furrows of her face.
The summer wind, with sorrow in its breeze,
Will gently caress her stones with light.
We invite you to look and learn about the fallen through this annual memorial project—to once again recognize how, in the microcosm of the people’s army, the character of its fallen reflects the society itself.
In his poem “Song of the Land,” the late Israeli poet Natan Yonatan wrote:
A land sweetened by its clods of soil
And all her shores salty as tears
That its lovers gave her
All they had to give.
The map of the fallen in the Swords of Iron War, among Israel’s other wars, presented here, poignantly reflects these lines. The lovers of the land—who gave her all they could—come from every corner: veteran reservists with families; young men, handsome and noble, just beginning their journey in life; female soldiers and combat support; Jews and non-Jews; native-born Israelis and immigrants, both new and longstanding. They are the ones who sweetened the soil of this land and allowed us to walk its paths, and the sorrow of their absence is soaked in the salty waters of our beautiful country’s shores.
As the price of our existential wars grows, the immense debt we owe to the fallen and their families also deepens. The number killed in this most recent war—one that is not yet over—is unfathomable. But we must not allow the scale of loss to obscure the truth that behind every number and every title are faces and names: loved ones and family members; a child who will no longer call out “Abba” (daddy) and a father who will no longer embrace his daughter. Entire worlds.
Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror is a national day of remembrance, but its sanctity is felt in every passing minute. To continue Natan Yonatan’s poem:
Every spring, her yellow wildflowers return
To cover the furrows of her face.
The summer wind, with sorrow in its breeze,
Will gently caress her stones with light.
We invite you to look and learn about the fallen through this annual memorial project—to once again recognize how, in the microcosm of the people’s army, the character of its fallen reflects the society itself.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Last Update: April 28, 2025
Fallen Soldiers of Israel's Wars Over Time
Fallen Members of the Security Forces During the Swords of Iron War
Victims of Hostile Acts During the Swords of Iron War
The project is dedicated to the memory of Sgt. Maj. (res.) Jonathan David Deitch and Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot, who both fell in battle in the Gaza Strip in December 2023. We bow our heads and salute their memory and their comrades-in-arms, Israel’s heroes, who gave their lives for the security of the State of Israel.
Sgt. Maj. (res.) Jonathan David Deitch, age 34, a reservist in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Battalion, fell in battle in the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip on December 7, 2023, the eve of Hanukah.
Jonathan was the son of Lenny and Karen, brother to Samantha and Kelly, a devoted husband to Moran, and an amazing father to 3-year-old Ari. He grew up and was educated in Tel Aviv, gathered friends from all corners of the country, and became the unifying center among them. He was beloved by all, always with a big smile on his face, and was an optimistic person with a captivating personality and a contagious zest for life.
Immediately after the October 7 massacre, Jonathan volunteered to serve in the reserves and gave his life while defending his homeland, his family, and his friends. Jonathan always used to say, “It’ll be alright,” and he truly believed that until his last moment.
Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot, age 25, was born and raised in Herzliya. He was the son of Hanna and Gadi, the brother of Guy, Rotem, Yael, and Rozi; a loving uncle to Rona, Noam, Dori, Niv, and Nelly; and the partner of Ariel. Gal was a people person; his friends and family filled his life. A warm, attentive, beloved, and loving person, cherished by all who knew him.
Everything Gal did, he did to the fullest and pushed things to the edge. As a teenager, Gal fell in love with triathlons, especially swimming and cycling. The sea became a central part of his life—after he started swimming several times a week, it became both his training ground and his favorite place to unwind. Cycling became like an extension of his body; he not only loved riding but also fixing, modifying, and tuning his bikes.
When Gal joined the army, he discovered another passion: medicine. He greatly enjoyed helping people, and his army peers said he was among the best in his unit. After his discharge from the army, he set out to explore the world—crossing continents, surfing every beach he passed in summer, and skiing the slopes in winter. He danced at parties and lived life with great joy. A year before the war, Gal enrolled as a bioinformatics student at Tel Aviv University.
Gal was a man of nature, of adventure, of sport, of parties, of fun and laughter, of learning, of extremes—and above all, a man of people.