IDF Paratroopers Commemorate 20 Years Since Kfar Giladi Tragedy with Families and Veterans

On Friday, families of the fallen and current and former soldiers of the IDF Paratroopers Battalion 9255 gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of the Kfar Giladi disaster. During the Second Lebanon War in August 2006, a Katyusha rocket struck the command platoon's assembly point at the entrance to Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, killing 12 soldiers in a single moment and injuring others physically and mentally.

A veteran paratrooper from the battalion reflected, "I am here because of my friends who are no longer with us from the Kfar Giladi disaster. For many of us, the war that broke out on October 7 is not just a fight against the evil in the Gaza envelope, Sderot, and Ofakim; it is a direct continuation of that war, Lebanon 2, which never truly ended." The battalion has maintained strong bonds, commitment, and dedication to defending northern Israel and the country over the years.

Seventeen years after the tragedy, on October 7, 2023, veterans stood alongside younger soldiers who joined the battalion to continue the mission amid the uncertainty of the nationwide conflict. Officers and soldiers who served in the Second Lebanon War participated in efforts to prevent northern incursions, attack Hezbollah bases, and destroy terror infrastructure threatening northern residents. Some reservists were in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s, enduring harsh conditions to fulfill their duty, motivated by loyalty to their fallen comrades and the unfinished mission.

Throughout the war, the battalion carried out numerous operations in four of the five Lebanon conflict rounds, deepening the connection between the memory of the fallen and current fighters. A notable moment was the battalion’s operation in the village of Aita al-Shaab, a known terror base threatening northern communities and the starting point for the abduction of reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, which triggered the Second Lebanon War. The battalion commander dedicated the operation to the memory of the fallen soldiers, framing it as a continuation of the struggle for Israel’s survival and homeland defense.

Commemorative events, including basketball tournaments in memory of fallen soldier Motti Botbol, have fostered intergenerational connections among soldiers, families, and local youth. Memorial ceremonies in 2024 and 2026 will continue to honor those who fell during northern conflict rounds, with younger reservists pledging to uphold the battalion’s legacy and mission.