Sgt Itay Mizrahi

Feb 15, 2003 - Sgt. Itay Mizrahi, 20, of Be'er Sheva was one of four soldiers killed when their tank drove over an explosive device weighing 100 kgs while on patrol in the Gaza Strip. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

At about 8:20 on Saturday morning, the Patton M-60 (Magah) tank was carrying out the morning patrol about one kilometer southeast of Dugit. As part of the lessons learned in the wake of three previous incidents in the Strip in which Merkava tanks were attacked, an armored bulldozer advanced some 50 meters before the tank. The bulldozer apparently passed over the same spot, but failed to detonate the explosive device. A few seconds later, the tank set off the large bomb which led to a series of explosions inside the tank, apparently killing the vehicle's four-man crew immediately.

Itay Mizrahi completed high school in his home town of Be'er Sheva, majoring in biology and computers. He had served in the Armored Corps for almost two years, insisting on combat service. His friend Arik related, "We loved Itay because he was a quiet person who loved to help people. He never complained of difficulties and was very happy in the army."

Sgt. Itay Mizrahi was buried in the military cemetery in Be'er Sheva. He is survived by his parents, Rina and Eli, his brother Haggai and sister Yifat.