In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which lasted for two months, the Israeli side suffered heavy losses. According to international reports, the only son of Israeli cabinet minister and former chief of the general staff of the National Defense Forces Gadi Ezengkot, Jal Meir Ezengkot, was killed in a battle on December 7 at the age of 25. This is a tragedy and an irony, because Al Jale's father was a senior commander in the Israeli military who had led many military operations against Gaza.
Al Jale, a combat soldier in the 699th Battalion of the 551st Reserve Assault Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, was killed in a firefight near the village of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli military, his unit was attacked by Hamas militants and he was shot and killed while protecting his comrades. His remains have been returned to Israel, where a funeral will be held on the afternoon of 9 December at the Mount Herzl National Cemetery in Jerusalem.
Jale's father, Gadi Ezengkot, is an important figure in Israel's ** and military circles, having served as the IDF's chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, making him one of Israel's youngest chiefs of staff. He served in the military for more than 40 years and participated in numerous wars against Arab countries, including the Lebanese War in 2006 and the Gaza War in 2014. After retiring from the army in 2022, he joined the National Solidarity Party led by Benny Gantz as a member of the Knesset and was appointed cabinet minister in October 2023 for defense, foreign affairs and security. He was a core member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime cabinet, responsible for developing and executing military strategy against Gaza.
In an interview with **, Gadi Edzingkot expressed his deep grief and condolences over the death of his son. He said that Jarle was his pride and hope, a brave, kind, intelligent, and responsible young man, an excellent soldier, and a patriotic Israeli. He said that he, his wife and daughter could not accept this fact, and their hearts were broken. He also said that he would continue to fight for Israel's security and peace, which was his son's last wish and his responsibility.
The death of Al Jale has aroused widespread concern and sympathy in Israeli society, and many political leaders and public figures have expressed their condolences and support to his family. Israeli Herzger expressed his condolences to Gadi Edsenkot in the article, saying that his son was a hero who paid the highest price for his country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a message of condolence that he was very sad, that he and Gadi Etzenkot had been friends and colleagues for many years, that he knew how good and brave his son was, and that he had expressed deep sympathy and respect for his family. Other party leaders, such as Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, and others, also expressed their condolences to the family of Gadi Ezengkot.
The death of Al has also sparked some reflection and questioning, with some arguing that Israel's military operation against Gaza is unnecessary, a war without victory, and a crime against humanity. They noted that since the Hamas attack on 7 October, Israel has relentlessly bombarded and blockaded Gaza, resulting in the death and maiming of thousands of civilians and extensive destruction of infrastructure. They believe that such a war will not bring security and peace to Israel, but will only exacerbate hatred and violence, leading to more innocent sacrifices. They called on Israel to cease its attacks on Gaza and to resume dialogue and negotiations with the Palestinians in search of a just and lasting solution.
The death of Al Jale is a tragedy and a travesty that reflects the complexity and brutality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it also reminds us that there are no winners in war, only victims and sorrow. We hope that Al Jale's death will not be wasted, but will be an opportunity for peace, so that both Israelis and Palestinians can put aside their hatred and seek a peaceful and prosperous future together.