Son of Israel Minister killed in Gaza battles - statement

Lt. Gen. (Res.) Gadi Eizenkot (L), Minister of Knesset and former IDF Chief of Staff, and Ofir Akunis (R), Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology of Israel, lay a wreath at the grave of Col. Asaf Hamami, commander of Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, during his funeral at the Kiryat Shaul cemetery on December 04, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. [Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images]

The son of Israeli cabinet minister and former military chief, Gadi Eizenkot, was killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip, Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, said on Thursday, Reuters reports.

Party members Eizenkot and Gantz, also a former army chief, joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government shortly after Hamas’ deadly 7 October attack which prompted an Israeli air, ground and sea offensive in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military did not provide precise details about the death of Gal Meir Eisenkot, 25, other than to say he was killed in combat in the northern Gaza Strip.

“Together with all of Israel I send my support to Gadi and to his entire family, and a big hug. We are all committed to keep fighting for the sacred cause for which Gal died,” Gantz said in a statement.

In a condolence message, Netanyahu said he was heartbroken.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Palestinian group, Hamas, after its fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel and dragged 240 more back to Gaza as hostages, according to an Israeli tally.

More than 17,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, according to the Health Ministry there, and around 1.9 million people, 85 per cent of the population, have been displaced.

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