IDF soldier, immigrant to Israel, killed in Lebanon

22-year-old Connecticut man, a member of the Chabad movement serving in the IDF, was killed while deployed in southern Lebanon.

By World Israel News Staff

An American citizen serving in the Israeli military was killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Saturday, an IDF spokesperson announced early Sunday morning.

The soldier has been identified as Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak HaCohen Katz, 22, of New Haven, Connecticut.

Katz was serving as a combat soldier in the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade.

The IDF did not provide details regarding the incident in which Katz was killed but did note that three other IDF soldiers were wounded in the incident. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to an Israeli hospital for treatment.

Katz was a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement.

His father, Mendy Katz, announced that his son will be buried in Israel on Monday.

“With unspeakable tragedy I regret to inform you that my 22 year old son Moshe Yitzchak a*h a sergeant in the idf, fell in battle in Lebanon,” Mendy wrote on his Facebook account.

“My oldest Son with a zest for life and jokes. Burial is tomorrow in israel. Maybe we only share good news.

“My heart is shattered and the wound is real. May he be a malitz yosher for only good things.

“With love. Mendy Katz.”

“Malitz yosher” is Hebrew for one who “pleads for righteousness,” referring to a deceased person acting as an advocate for good in the heavenly courts.

Katz is survived by his parents, Mendy and Devorah Katz; siblings Adina, Yehuda, Shua, and Dubi; and grandparents Malka Katz of New Haven, Connecticut, and Mr. and Mrs. Rosenswaig of Netanya, Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to the family in a statement released Sunday morning.

“My wife and I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Sergeant Moshe Yitzhak HaCohen Katz, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in Lebanon,” he said.

“Moshe, of blessed memory, immigrated to Israel from the US, enlisted in the Paratroopers Brigade, and fought bravely in defense of the homeland.”

“On behalf of all citizens of Israel, we embrace Moshe’s family in their difficult hour and wish a swift and full recovery to our fighters who were wounded in the same incident.”

Katz is the fifth IDF soldier killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon since the latest round of fighting with Hezbollah began March 2.

Nine IDF soldiers were injured in two separate Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon.

In one incident, two officers were wounded by an anti-tank missile.

One officer was seriously wounded; the other was moderately wounded.