The Binyamin Regional Council confirmed Tuesday night that reserve soldier Yonah Ephraim (Efi) Feldbaum was killed during a confrontation with Hamas terrorists inside the Gaza Strip. Feldbaum, a 37-year-old resident of Zayit Raanan-Neria, leaves behind his wife, Shulamit, and their five children.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the death in battle of Yonah Ephraim (Efi) Feldbaum, a resident of Zayit Raanan-Neria in Binyamin. Efi, 37, a father of five, lived in the community and worked as a contractor in the area. During the war, he dedicated his skills to meaningful reserve service in the Gaza Strip. Efi is the 59th fallen soldier from the Binyamin Regional Council,” the council’s statement read.
Feldbaum was remembered by neighbors and friends as a man whose devotion to his people and his land defined every part of his life. “Efi was well known and deeply loved throughout the region. He was heavily involved in developing young communities. Efi was deeply connected to the land of Israel and fell while defending it,” members of his community shared, describing him as both a builder in life and a defender in battle.
Yisroel Gantz, who heads the Binyamin Regional Council and serves as chairman of the Yesha Council, offered a moving tribute. “Efi fought on the front lines of the war in Gaza and continued even after the ceasefire was declared – despite repeated violations by Hamas terrorists. On behalf of all Binyamin residents, I extend my condolences to his wife Shulamit, his children, and the entire family. Thanks to Efi’s bravery and sacrifice, the people of Israel will prevail.”
Military officials said Feldbaum was part of an IDF engineering team operating in Rafah when terrorists ambushed their unit. The attackers reportedly emerged from a tunnel system in the Jenina neighborhood and began firing, including RPG rounds, directly at the soldiers.
{Matzav.com}
