Pinoy member of Israeli defense among 21 killed

A FILIPINO member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is among 21 Israeli soldiers killed Monday in the Strip Gaza in the war between the Jewish state and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Israeli Embassy in Manila said yesterday.

The embassy identified the slain Filipino Sgt. First Class Cydrick Garin, a reserve IDF soldier.

The embassy said Garin is the son of two Filipinos. His father is from General Santos City in Mindanao while his mother is from Isabela and currently residing in Tel Aviv.

“Israel shares the profound grief of Sgt. Garin’s family and the Filipino community. Our commitment is strong to support his loved ones during this challenging time,” the embassy said, adding it is now facilitating the travel to Israel of Garin’s father.

A total of 24 IDF members were killed Monday as intense fighting raged in the central and southern Gaza Strip, where Israel has been attacking the remaining strongholds of Hamas, and trying to clear areas near the border.

It was considered Israel’s worst day of losses in Gaza.

The IDF said it was in one of those border areas where the 21 soldiers, including Garin, were killed when the building they were in collapsed after being hit by a massive explosion.

The three other IDF soldiers were killed on the same day in a different area in Gaza.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu vowed his country will not stop fighting until Hamas is defeated.

Netanyahu said the country’s campaign is meant to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of over 130 hostages it is still holding captive following the October 7 attack on Israeli.

Four overseas Filipino workers were killed in the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket attack that killed the 21 soldiers.

Israel earlier blamed unidentified Palestinian militants for the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on Monday, which was the deadliest day to date for the Israeli military in its campaign in Gaza.

“Watch the execution by Al-Qassam Brigades fighters of a compound operation against the enemy soldiers and vehicles east of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp,” Hamas said in a message released to media Tuesday, accompanying a video of the