The Binyamin Regional Council announced the death of Major (res.) Itamar Sapir, who was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon. He was 27 years old. His funeral is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Ra’anana.

Sapir, the son of Yehuda and Rivki Sapir of Eli, was raised in the Binyamin region and studied in its local schools before continuing his education at Yeshivat Neve Shmuel in Efrat.

A number of years ago, he married Roi. The couple initially lived in Ra’anana before relocating to Ariel, where they built their home and welcomed their first child, Maayan, who is now approximately a year and a half old.

He joined the IDF in 2019 and served in the elite Maglan unit. By the time he completed his regular military service, he had risen to the position of company commander. During his reserve duty, he continued serving as a company commander in Maglan’s reserve battalion.

Those who knew Sapir described him as a deeply dedicated and principled individual whose loss has left friends and family devastated.

“He was the most upright friend I know,” said Meir, a childhood friend of Itamar. “A cheerful and opinionated friend with a wonderful family. A friend who, when he wanted something, would invest all of himself to achieve his goal.”

Sapir is the 63rd soldier from the Binyamin Regional Council to fall since the beginning of the war. He is survived by his wife, Roi; his young son, Maayan; his parents, Yehuda and Rivki; and his brothers, Tal, Erez, and Yosef.

Binyamin Regional Council chairman Yisrael Ganz mourned Sapir’s death and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

“All of our hearts are broken with the fall of Captain Itamar Sapir, of blessed memory,” Ganz said. “Itamar grew up in Eli, a community that has already sacrificed many of its finest sons since the start of the war. The Eli community sends its sons to the front with faith, responsibility, and endless devotion, and tragically, this time its son did not return.”

Ganz also reflected on the generation of young Israelis currently fighting in the war.

“Itamar was part of a remarkable generation of warriors. A generation that builds homes, raises children, loves life, and at the same time stands up without hesitation to defend the State of Israel. A generation of devotion, mission, and love for the people and the land. On behalf of all the residents of Binyamin, I embrace the dear Sapir family. We will always stand by your side.”

{Matzav.com}