Ofer Yung: “A rare professional, with broad knowledge and expert understanding”
Sergeant Major Ofer Yung was a reserve soldier and a squad commander in Battalion 8211, which is affiliated with the Ephraim Brigade.
Ofer was manager of the Building Green Department at the environmental engineering company “Alter”. His work colleague Manor Alter, one of the company’s owners, shared this about him: “Ofer started working with us around seven years ago when we were still a relatively young company. He was part of our journey and successes, contributing to the company’s rapid growth. He was a pillar of the company. As an environmental engineer, he managed hundreds of projects all around Israel.” Alter further recalled: “I’ve known Ofer for many, many years, from Haifa, back when we were athletes on the Israeli youth judo team. We shared common values.”
He added: “Ofer was an amazing person, a rare professional, with broad knowledge and expert understanding. He managed the acoustics – green building department in the company – and was someone for whom sustainability and the environment was in his blood at all times.”
Alter emphasized that everyone who knew Ofer loved him. “Ofer touched everyone’s heart. Since this morning, when the tragic news broke, the WhatsApp groups he was a part of are full of messages about how special he was.” Alter also mentioned that Ofer had just celebrated his 39th birthday last week. “He went on a weekend break to celebrate with his wife and family and told me before returning that it would be a while before he came back. He sounded so good in our conversation. Ofer had served several times in reserve duty since the war broke out, and this was the first time he served in this sector. He was supposed to be discharged in about a month. We can’t believe we won’t see him again.”
Avraham Friedman: Soldier and Family Man
Avraham Tzvi (Tzvika) Friedman, born in Safed in 1981, grew up in a Chabad family as one of seven siblings. He leaves behind six children and his wife Gal.
The organization HaShomer HaChadash (New Guardian) where Tzvika volunteered issued a condolence message: “We express our condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Major Avraham Tzvika Friedman, 43, from Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv, a fighter in Battalion 8211, and a volunteer for the past two years in Hashomer Hachadash, who was murdered in the deadly attack in northern Samaria. In the same attack, IDF soldier Ofer Yung, 39, was also killed. May their memory be blessed.”
Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council announced: “In shock and with great sorrow, we received the heartbreaking news of the death of Tzvika Friedman from Ein HaNatziv this morning, during a clash with terrorists in the Jordan valley. Tzvika, a reserve soldier, leaves behind his wife, Gal, and six children. May his memory be blessed. The Emek HaMaayanot family joins his family and the Ein HaNatziv community in mourning. We love you and embrace you during this difficult time.”
Initial IDF Report
According to an initial IDF investigation, the terrorist was wearing a bulletproof vest and breached the soldiers’ compound at the Tayasir checkpoint, south of Jenin, opening fire with a long rifle. The soldiers engaged in a gun battle, during which seven soldiers were injured, before he was finally taken out.
The report reveals that the soldier on watch did not detect the terrorist, who ambushed the troops while wearing protective gear and carrying a rifle. The attacker lured the soldiers outside before storming the area. A reinforcement unit arrived in short time and eliminated him with a grenade.
Although Israeli Air Force had a drone deployed in the area, the risk of harming IDF forces prevented its use and the terrorist was ultimately neutralized by the ground troops.
Six Wounded Evacuated by IDF Helicopters
Four intensive care vehicles and three ambulances arrived at the scene, and six additional ambulances were dispatched to the helicopter landing sites at the Rambam and Beilinson hospitals. A Magen David Adom (MDA) helicopter was also dispatched to the event and placed on standby in a nearby area. After initial medical treatment at the scene and at the helicopter landing sites, the injured individuals were evacuated. The two critically injured soldiers later succumbed to their wounds.
MDA paramedic Denis Polkov described the scene:
“We arrived at the scene with MDA ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units. Together with IDF medical teams, we provided medical treatment to six victims who were airlifted by IDF helicopters. We then evacuated them from the landing pads to the hospitals’ trauma rooms.”
