IDF soldier Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky died of wounds he sustained during an operation to capture terrorists.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
On Saturday, 20-year-old IDF soldier Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky of Rehovot succumbed to wounds he sustained during an operation to capture terrorists on Thursday.
Lubarsky, a combat soldier from the elite Duvdevan Commando Unit, was severely injured during operational activity in the Al-Am’ari Camp, west of Ramallah, when a Palestinian dropped a heavy marble slab on him from a rooftop.
The goal of the operation was to apprehend a squad of Palestinian terrorists involved in recent shooting attacks in the area.
Following joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) operational and intelligence efforts, one suspect was apprehended during the operation. Two other squad members were apprehended Thursday evening. The terrorist who killed Lubarsky is still at large.
Lubarsky was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was the first member of the Duvdevan unit to be killed in action while encountering terrorists.
He was buried at the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem late Saturday night. Hundreds attended the funeral, despite the late hour.
“The IDF expresses its heartfelt condolences, and will continue to support the family,” the IDF stated.
In Hot Pursuit of the Terrorist
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his “deep sorrow” following Lubarsky’s death, vowing that Israel’s security services would catch up with the terrorist and bring him to justice.
President Reuven Rivlin stated he was “deeply saddened” to receive the news of Lubarsky’s death.
He spoke to Lubarsky’s parents and brothers after his fatal injury and sent his prayers for his recovery. “Today however, we are greatly pained to send our sympathies as we share in this great tragedy,” Rivlin stated.
“At this difficult time, I want to offer strength also to the wonderful fighters and commanders of his unit, the best of our young men, who go out every night on operations which ensure we are able to carry on our day-to-day lives in safety,” Rivlin said.
“We feel the pain of the family and of the unit and have them in our hearts. May Ronen’s memory be blessed,” he added.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman conveyed his condolences to the family and said that he was closely monitoring the efforts to apprehend the terrorist who murdered Lubarsky. “We will bring justice to Ronen,” he vowed.
After Lubarsky was injured, Liberman stated that “contemptible terrorist will not know day or night. It will not be long before we place our hand on him, live or dead.”
Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, himself a former commando officer, tweeted that Lubarsky’s “death in the alleyways of the Al-Am’ari refugee camp saved the lives of Israelis in the streets of Tel Aviv.”
Life-Saving ATVs Stop Terrorists Before they Attack Innocent Israelis
Palestinian attackers have terrorized Israelis with stabbings, shootings, bombings and car-rammings throughout Israel, with no end in sight.
Specialized, state-of-the-art, compact, all-terrain ATVs that maneuver in tight spaces are Israel’s “secret weapon,” designed to pursue and capture terrorists BEFORE they attack. Life-saving ATVs are desperately needed to protect communities throughout Israel. Please donate generously!