Lt Edward Matchnik

Nov 23, 2000 - Lt. Edward Matchnik, 21, of Beersheba, was killed in an explosion at the District Coordination Office near Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip.

Matchnik was killed in an explosion at the District Coordination Office near Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip. The joint DCOs were established at the borders of Palestinian-ruled areas under the interim peace accords and were responsible for coordinating security and humanitarian cooperation.

Matchnik, originally classified as unfit for combat duty on medical grounds, had fought that ruling through successive army medical boards until he was upgraded and assigned to the Armored Corps.

At the funeral, attended by a large crowd of mourners, including Beersheba Mayor Ya'acov Terner, Matchnik's brigade commander spoke of the irony of his dying while trying to improve relations between Israelis and Palestinians. "You thought you could help and contribute your understanding. You were loved by those under your command. We shall not remain silent, nor shall we rest until we have settled accounts with your murderers, so they will understand that they gain nothing this way," he said.

The Matchnik family - Edward, younger sister Yana, and parents Galia and Natan - immigrated from the Ukraine in 1990.

Lt. Edward Matchnik was buried in the military cemetery in Beersheba.