An Australian-Israeli man fighting for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been reportedly killed in Gaza.
Lior Sivan, a reserves captain born in Melbourne before moving to Israel as a toddler, was killed on Dec. 19 while serving as a tank commander.
The 32-year-old was called up to the army soon after Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 7, after the terrorist organisation killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped about 240 hostages.
He leaves behind his wife Liav, who is due to give birth to a baby girl very soon, and a two-year-old son.
A foreign affairs spokesperson sent condolences to the family, while also indicating they are still seeking further confirmation, in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that an Australian citizen has been killed in Gaza and is urgently seeking further confirmation,” the department said.
“We send our condolences to his family during this difficult time and stand ready to provide consular assistance.
“Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).”
A ‘Hero’ Who Saved Four Men
Captain Sivan’s father Dan, speaking to the ABC, described his son as a hero who died during an ambush when someone hiding behind a building launched something at him.“He was killed immediately. But he saved the four men in the other tank and possibly the other three in his own tank,” Mr. Sivan said.
A post by Israel supporter group StandWithUs paid tribute to Captain Sivan back in December.
“May the memory and heroism of this brave IDF soldier forever be a blessing.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish world will be forever grateful to Lior and every fallen soldier who has “died so that Israel may live.”
“We mourn Captain Lior Sivan, an Australian-born Israeli. Lior made the ultimate sacrifice fighting an evil that would destroy every Jewish life if it had the means,” he said.
“People like Lior Sivan are the difference between Jewish life and Jewish death. He is a hero in the truest meaning of the word. By all accounts he was a special human being and the pain of his loss is sharpened by the knowledge he leaves a heavily pregnant wife, and a 2 year old son.”
