JERUSALEM (VINnews) — IDF Reserve Capt. Itamar Sapir, 27, of Ariel, was killed in battle in southern Lebanon while serving as a platoon commander in the Maglan special forces unit, the Israeli military announced Tuesday.

Sapir was called up for reserve duty and fell while defending Israel on the northern front, according to details released by the IDF.

He is survived by his wife, their 1 1/2-year-old son Maayan, his parents and three siblings.

A young father and dedicated officer, Sapir answered the call to duty even as he was building a family and a home in Israel.

The IDF expressed its condolences to Sapir’s family.

May his memory be a blessing. Strength, comfort and healing to his wife, his young son and all his family.