Hundreds Mourn Fallen Soldier Ron Yonatan Reitman in Ashkelon

By חדשות כיפה

Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba

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Hundreds attended the funeral of Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, who was killed in a clash near Hebron on Friday. Reitman, from Ashkelon, served as a squad commander and fell alongside Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon. Family members delivered emotional eulogies, remembering Reitman's character and sacrifice. Three other soldiers were wounded in the incident.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, was killed in a clash near Hebron on Friday.
Hundreds attended Reitman's funeral in Ashkelon on Sunday.
Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilem, 20, was also killed in the incident.
Three other soldiers were wounded during the attack.
Reitman served as a squad commander in the Extraction Brigade.

Hundreds Mourn Fallen Soldier Ron Yonatan Reitman in Ashkelon — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Ashkelon cemetery on Sunday to bid farewell to Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, who fell in a clash near the Yehuda junction close to Hebron on Friday. Reitman, a resident of Ashkelon, served as a squad commander in the Ari Battalion (775) of the Extraction Brigade. Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, was also killed in the incident and his funeral is scheduled for later on Sunday.

Reitman's mother, Marina, delivered an emotional eulogy, promising to live a life worthy of her son. "We will live our lives with our heads held high because we are Ron's parents, we are Ron's family. I promise you we will live a life worthy of you. We will continue to live and love each other and support each other. I love you very much, forever, your mother," she said.

His older brother, David, spoke of their close bond and shared dreams, calling Ron his best friend and "my other half." His sister, Yona, remembered him as an exemplary brother, "excellent in everything you touched, a jack of all trades." Ron's girlfriend, Hila, shared that she had bought him an Israel necklace that he never received, saying, "You will always be a part of me."

The commander of Reitman's battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Lior Shahar, praised Reitman's personal example and dedication to combat service. He recounted that two terrorists arrived at the Yehuda junction to attack civilians, and Reitman and his comrades fought them. "You sacrificed your life for the State of Israel, I salute you," Shahar stated. During the attack, shots were fired at the force, killing Reitman and Suilem, and wounding three other soldiers.