Harel was an engineer at Elbit and left behind 4 children; the service hindered Tamir's work, but "he felt obligated"
Relatives of company commander Harel Birnstock and combat medic Tamir Vaknin, who were killed by an explosive device in Lebanon, say that despite the personal cost, they never considered stopping their reserve service. "Harel put his whole life on hold," says his friend Michael, while Tamir's brother, Yoav, adds that he was planning a career move to the USA.
After a month and a half without fatalities in Lebanon, two families received devastating news. Major (res.) Harel Birnstock and combat medic Sergeant Major (res.) Tamir Vaknin were killed on Wednesday by an explosive device in the village of Majdal Zoun, in territory controlled by the IDF in southern Lebanon. 33-year-old Vaknin from Eilat is survived by his parents and two brothers. 34-year-old Birnstock from Nokdim is survived by his wife, four children, parents, and siblings. Four other reserve soldiers from the 2855th Battalion of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade were wounded in the incident.
"The most important thing is the reserves"
Michael Tomer, a close friend of Birnstock, eulogized him: "Harel and I were like brothers. He was a winner at heart, always doing everything to the best of his ability. For the last three years, Harel put his life on 'hold' to serve in the reserves. He had a wife, four children, and a job as an engineer at Elbit, but the defense of the country came first." Michael added: "Harel never gave up. A couple of years ago, we ran the New York Marathon together to raise 30,000 shekels for the 'Shalva' organization. Just hours before the incident, we were messaging about when we would go riding together again."
Gush Etzion Regional Council Head Yaron Rosenthal stated: "We are pained by the loss of Harel, who grew up in Gush Etzion. My heart is with the 55th Paratroopers Brigade in the mountains of Lebanon."
"Hero of Israel, salt of the earth"
Tamir Vaknin's brother, Yoav, described him as the "heart of his company." "Since October 7, he was constantly in the reserves and never thought of stopping. He wanted to advance at 'Cyber Proof' and considered a job in the US. The reserve service hindered his work, but he felt he had to do it," Yoav said.
Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri noted: "Tamir was one of the city's finest sons, a hero of Israel, and the salt of the earth. Eilat bows its head in mourning."
Investigation into the incident
The incident occurred around 12:00 during a village clearing operation. The force entered a booby-trapped building. The four wounded soldiers were evacuated to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
In response, the IDF attacked Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, including weapons depots. The IDF is investigating whether the device was planted before or after the ceasefire. The army maintains that the terrorist organization violated the ceasefire agreement by allowing residents to return to the village, though the Prime Minister and Defense Minister have not yet issued an official statement declaring the ceasefire void.
