Two kindergarten classmates killed in explosion in central Gaza Strip

The unit was on its way to its target, a school complex containing scores of terrorists, when the soldiers, while crossing an alley in the Gaza City neighborhood, were hit by what appeared to be two powerful explosions from a booby-trapped site, according to Ynet originated report.

Sergeant Yosef Dassa, 19, of Kiryat Bialik, attended the same class at ORT Kiryat Motzkin High School as Sergeant Daniel Levy, also 19, of Kiryat Motzkin.
“Daniel was at school last week to collect his high school diploma and said he was visiting before heading to Rafah. “They have been close friends since elementary school, always together,” said high school principal Sara Pinto, mourning the two graduates.

“They reported together. They were in the same unit. When we heard about Daniel, his teacher told me, “Yosef is with him, we have to check on him.” She knew they were together, but didn’t yet know that something had happened to Joseph too. It’s frightening and we don’t know how to deal with it, especially on the eve of Memorial Day.

“This morning we held a memorial ceremony for two school graduates who fell on October 7 – Moriya Raviv, who was murdered at the Nova music festival, and Golani fighter Shalev Dagan. And now Daniel and Yosef have joined that painful list. It’s heartbreaking for the school.”

The couple’s class teacher, Yifat Twito, said through tears at Yosef’s family home: “We were hit by the hardest blow of our lives. It was a class of 24 graduates, two of whom were killed today. Daniel and Yosef were very close friends, always together – when traveling, studying and in the military.

“Just last week, after Passover, Daniel came to school in uniform. He called me and asked, “Where are you?” I said to him, “At school.” He said, “I’m coming to hug you before I leave for Gaza.” He came and hugged me. It was the last hug. The grief is immense.

Also killed in the explosion were Sergeant Itay Livny from Ramat Hasharon and Sergeant Ermiyas Mekuriyaw from Be’er Sheva, both 19 years old. Another soldier from the 931st Battalion and an officer were seriously injured in the explosion.

Livny graduated from Alon High School in Ramat Hasharon, majoring in biology. “Itay was a young man of gentle manners and a gentle soul, known for his original and profound thinking. He had a shy, charming smile. He was a beloved friend to his classmates and teachers. “His loss is immense for the school, the city and the state of Israel,” praised school principal Andy Kalisky.

Livny was also actively involved in sports, playing on the Ramat Hasharon Sports Association’s basketball and soccer teams from an early age until he joined the IDF last summer. He is survived by his parents Amir and Naomi, his twin brother Yoav and his older sister Keren.

Mekuriyaw attended AMIT Wasserman High School in Be’er Sheva. His Grade 12 teacher Adi Mamo mourned his loss, saying: “He was a boy with kind eyes and a good heart. A good friend, loving and loved by everyone. Ermiyas was deeply humble and respectful, and his loss is painful and unimaginable.”

Itai Livny HyD

Ermiyas Merikayev