Maj. Jalaa Ibrahem, a company commander in the 601st Battalion, 401st Brigade, Combat Engineer Corps, was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.

Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif said, 'This is a very emotional event. Planting trees represents life. We are paying respect to our soldiers.'

'He told me not to worry, but I knew he would be the first to run to the battle.'