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IDF soldier and son of Oren Smadga killed in fighting in Gaza Strip

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Sergeant Major (ret.) Omer Smadga, one of two Israeli soldiers whose deaths were announced in the central Gaza Strip on Friday morning, is the son of legendary athlete Oren Smadja, the Olympic medalist in judo at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and current coach of the Israeli national judo team.

By pure coincidence, Oren Smadga had celebrated his birthday just the day before and posted a message on Facebook that now has a new and frightening meaning: “Thank you to everyone who wished me well. May everyone return home safely, Am Yisrael Chai.”

Two dead, three injured

The Israel Defense Forces spokesman announced today that two reservists, Sergeant Major (res.) Omer Smadga and Sergeant Major (res.) Saadia Yaakov Dery, were killed by mortar shell fire in the central Gaza Strip.

SMADJA WITH his father and coach Morris, who helped introduce judo to Israel. (Source: ODED KARNI)

In addition, three other reservists from the Alexandroni Brigade were seriously injured in the incident in which they were killed. The injured soldiers were taken to a hospital for medical treatment.



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