Capt. Eitan Oster becomes first Israeli killed in Lebanon combat

An Israeli soldier, Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, was killed during fighting in Lebanon, the IDF announced on Wednesday.

Captain Oster, 22 years old and from Modi'in, was a squad commander in the Egoz Unit. He is the first fallen soldier to be announced since the start of Israel's invasion of Lebanon on Monday.

Several Israeli MKs reposted a video Oster recorded earlier this week, in which he can be heard saying, "There is no one prouder than me to lead fighters in the hope of completing our missions." 

Amichai Chikli posted about Oster's "extreme bravery."

סרן איתן אוסטר הי״ד בן 22 ממודיעין, לוחם ביחידת אגוז, נפל הלילה במהלך הלחימה בלבנון.הקדישו דקה וחצי מזמנכם להקשיב לדברים שאמר רק השבוע: ״אני רואה את זה כזכות היסטורית ובעזרת השם כמשהו שישפיע גם על הדורות הבאים. אני מודע לגודל האחריות שמונח על כתפיי. אין גאה ממני להוביל קדימה… pic.twitter.com/CmrBRDbJo9

— עמיחי שיקלי - Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) October 2, 2024

Tributes pour in

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "Eitan's words pierce through our hearts and are a moral compass for all of us. I give a huge hug to his family. The people of Israel salute him."

His former Yeshiva, Or Torah Stone, sent condolences to the family, including his two brothers and his brother-in-law, who were also graduates of the yeshiva. 

His funeral is to be held on Mount Herzl on Wednesday afternoon.