Personal Effects of Israeli Armor Officer Killed in Gaza Returned to Family After Nearly Three Years

Nearly three years after Captain Eitan Fish, a 23-year-old Israeli armor officer from the settlement of Peduel, was killed in combat during the Gaza war, his family received a personal item from his military service. On Sunday night, the Fish family was unexpectedly contacted by a neighbor who returned Eitan's kit bag, which had been stored in a rented apartment. The apartment's owners had been living in the United States and only recently returned to Israel, discovering the bag labeled with Eitan's name and contacting the family.

Eitan's father, David Fish, described the return of the kit bag as "a message from the world beyond," expressing that it felt like a final greeting from his son, reminding them that he has not forgotten them. The bag contained various personal items from Eitan's service, including a vest, a flask, a sewing kit, gloves, a radio tube, and a notebook. David said the experience was deeply emotional and brought the family's loss vividly to life.

Since Eitan's death, the family has received several mementos from his military and personal life, such as gloves from a fellow soldier and a guitar keepsake. They have asked friends and acquaintances to continue sharing any memorabilia they might have. David also shared memories of Eitan as a talented artist, musician, and basketball player who valued inclusivity and leadership.

Captain Eitan Fish was killed on December 4, 2023, alongside two comrades from Battalion 53 of the Barak Brigade: Sergeant Yakir Yedidya Snukolevski (21) from Migdal Oz and First Sergeant Tuval Yaakov Tzenaani (20) from Kiryat Gat. The three soldiers died from an anti-tank missile strike near the Shuja'iyya neighborhood in Gaza.