The Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday that Major Itamar Sapir, 27, from the settlement of Eli, was killed during an encounter with terrorists in the western sector of southern Lebanon.

Sapir served as deputy company commander in Battalion 7008 of the 551st Brigade, known as the “Half Fire” formation.

With his death, Sapir became the eighth Israeli soldier killed in the Lebanese sector since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect approximately six weeks ago. According to Israeli military sources, five of the fatalities during the ceasefire period were caused by explosive drones.

Leaves Behind Wife and Young Son

Community Mourns “A Generation of Fighters Who Built Families While Defending Israel”

Sapir is survived by his wife, Roi, and their young son Maayan, who was born approximately a year and a half ago. He also leaves behind his parents, Yehuda and Rivki, and his brothers Tal, Erez and Yosef.

He grew up in Eli and was educated in institutions in the Binyamin region before later studying at the Yeshivat Neve Shmuel in Efrat.

After marrying, Sapir and his wife briefly lived in Raanana before moving to Ariel, where they established their home and raised their son.

Former Maglan Commander Remembered 

Sapir enlisted in the IDF in 2019 and served in the elite Maglan Unit. He later completed his service as a platoon commander and continued serving as a reserve company commander in Maglan’s reserve battalion.

“He was the most honest friend I have ever known,” said Meir, a childhood friend of Sapir. “He was joyful, opinionated and deeply committed. When he wanted to achieve something, he devoted himself entirely to it.”

Regional Leaders Pay Tribute

Israel Ganz mourned Sapir’s death, describing him as part of “a remarkable generation of fighters.”

“Itamar grew up in Eli, a community that has already sacrificed many of its finest sons since the beginning of the war,” Ganz said.

“This is a generation that builds homes, raises children, loves life — and at the same time stands without hesitation to defend the State of Israel.”

Sapir’s death came just two days after Captain Maoz Israel Rekanti, 24, also from Itamar, was killed in southern Lebanon.

Rekanti, a platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed when an explosive drone equipped with fiber-optic guidance detonated near Israeli forces operating close to the Litani River.

Despite the ceasefire, Hezbollah has continued launching drones and rockets toward northern Israel on a near-daily basis. Nevertheless, the administration of Donald Trump recently announced an additional 45-day extension of the ceasefire arrangement.