Yehonatan Walsiuk
Photo reproduced with permission: Amir Cohen
With adopted sister
Photo reproduced with permission: Amir Cohen
5th soldier killed in Lebanon battle named
Yehonatan (Sergey) Wolsiuk, 21, of Lahav, is the fifth soldier killed from Egoz unit in fighting in southern Lebanon. Soldiers searched for his body for 18 hours
The fifth soldier killed in last Thursday's fighting with Hizbullah has been named as Yehonatan (Sergey) Wolsiuk, 21, of Lahav. Walsiuk, from the Egoz unit, was killed in an exchange of fire with Hizbullah in Maroun al-Ras.
Walsiuk immigrated to Israel on his own six years ago from Ukraine, while his parents and younger brother remained behind.
He was adopted by Dalit Gal of Kibbutz Lahav and studied at the Mevo'ot Negev school.
After finishing high school Yehonatan was drafted into an elite army unit, and then transferred to the Egoz unit.
For 18 hours after the battle, IDF forces searched for his body.
Yehonatan's mother, Yulia, and his brother, arrived in Israel in the early morning hours. Yulia decided her son would be buried in Kibbutz Lahav: "He was an Israeli citizen and he fulfilled his duty, therefore he will be buried here. He loved the country very much," she said.
The family is now waiting for his father to arrive from the Ukraine before the funeral takes place.
The four other soldiers killed in the battle have been named as:
• Staff Sergeant Liran Saadiah, 21, from Kiryat Shmona
• Major Benji Hillman, 27, of Raanana
• Staff Sergeant Rafanel Muskal, 21, of Mazkeret Batya
• Staff Sergeant Nadav Balua, 21, of Carmiel.
Yulia was initially told that her son was missing, before boarding a flight from Ukraine to Israel.
She prayed for the entire journey to receive good news, but at the airport in Israel she was told her son was killed.
Yehonatan's mother does not speak Hebrew or English, and all communication with her is carried out via a translator.
Yulia spoke with her son only last Saturday, when he told her was fine.
"He was a responsible guy who loved life. He wanted us to immigrate to Israel after he completes the army," the mother said. She also thanked Dalit Gal, Yehonatan's adopted mother.
Dalit Gal, Yehonatan's mother, told Ynet. "She isn't saying much, she mainly wants to listen," said Dalia.
The IDF offered family members a hotel in Tel Aviv, but they decided to travel to Lahav, Yehonatan's home. They are currently staying at Dalit's home in Kibbutz Lahav and are receiving support from many family and friends.
'Represented modern Zionism'
Gal said, "He just loved the army, and he loved Israel. He was supposed to be released this coming November. Next week he said he may be arriving in Lebanon, and he wasn't afraid. The whole situation angered him. The terrorists angered him. He feels that he had to do something," she said.
Nir Amitai, a friend, said: "He was determined to contribute. Joining the army was a good absorption place for him."
Yehonatan has other loves too: He was an athlete, he loved photography, and he had a girlfriend for the past six months, a student from Tel Aviv University who he planned to live with after his release from the army in November. He met her parents during his last leave a number of months ago.
Dalia, also adopted Alona, an immigrant from Ukraine, and the two lived as one family. "He was very attached to my girl like a brother. I know his mother pressed him to return to Ukraine, but he didn't want to hear of it. He was happy he was drafted into the army. Everyone loved him, he had a good temperament, and he always wanted to help. Yehonatan had a lot of friends and he fit in well."
His high school principle Ido Argman said that represented modern Zionism: "He was a 15 year-old teenager who immigrated to Israel without his parents and without familiarity with Israeli culture and society. Due to the power of will and an enchanting personality he successfully fit in, in all the circles."
