Vos Iz NeiasWidow of Fallen Reservist: ‘Our Children Will Grow Up in a Home Filled With Joy’
JERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Thursday at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery to bid farewell to Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, an Israeli reservist killed in southern Lebanon, as his family remembered him as a devoted husband, father of four, military commander and man whose joy for life inspired everyone around him.
Birenstock, 34, was killed Wednesday when an explosive device detonated during Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. Master Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, was also killed in the blast, and four other reservists were seriously wounded.
Standing beside the couple’s four young children, Birenstock’s wife, Elia, recalled the moment he left home after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. She said he hugged her, told her to “be strong,” and that she had tried to live by those words ever since.“But this time I can’t be strong,” she said through tears. “I need you to send me strength.”
Israel buried another hero today.
Major (Res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, gave his life defending the people of Israel during combat in southern Lebanon.
Today, family, friends, and a grateful nation said their final goodbye.
May his memory be a blessing. 🇮🇱💔Photos by Yonatan… pic.twitter.com/GXIAZWRNYV
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) August 6, 2026
She promised their children would grow up “in a happy home, with dancing and songs,” and asked mourners to remember her husband for the smile that could light up a room.
“Remember Harel with that smile,” she said. “Within a minute everyone loved him, and within five minutes everyone was his friend. He was a man full of life, joy and laughter.”
“We will get up and become strong because that’s what Harel would have wanted,” she said. “But first, I want to cry a little more.”
His father described his son as someone who constantly pushed himself to achieve more and said he had never been prouder than to watch the life Harel built with his family.
“I loved you so much, and I was proud of the path you chose,” he said. “You made us the happiest parents.” He pledged that despite the family’s loss, “No one can defeat the Birenstock family. Joy and happiness will always remain in our home. Am Yisrael Chai.”
His brother remembered Birenstock as a leader who never took shortcuts and thanked him for teaching him the meaning of friendship and responsibility.
His sister called him the family’s hero, recalling that he had completed four marathons and devoted himself to the soldiers under his command, often going to extraordinary lengths to boost their morale. She said he believed every soldier deserved to return home safely.
Friends said Birenstock had completed six reserve deployments since the war began, repeatedly setting aside his career and family life to answer the military’s call. They described him as a humble leader who could always be counted on and whose optimism never faded.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the families of Birenstock and Vaknin, calling the two reservists “among our finest sons” who fought courageously in defense of Israel. He also wished a speedy recovery to the soldiers wounded in the same explosion.
Vaknin was scheduled to be laid to rest Thursday evening in his hometown of Eilat.
