IDF commando raid on Baalbek
Photo: AFP
Officer killed identified as Lit.-Col. Emanuel Morano
IDF officer killed in Lebanon raid has been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Emanuel Morano; friends describe him as 'humble man, and attentive commander. What he did in army will never be known'
An Israel Defense Forces officer killed in clashes with Hizbullah near Baalbek in Lebanon on Saturday has been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Emanuel Moran, 35, of Talmit.
Killed in operation
Hanan Greenberg
Officer identified as Lieutenant Colonel Emanuel Morano; two more officers sustain serious, light injuries in commando raid army says was successful in preventing smuggling of arms from Iran, Syria to Hizbullah; Terror group: Operation breach of ceasefire
His wife Maya was with her three children at her parent's in Ein Habashour.
"They have been living here for two years and were never felt their presence. They are lovely people, even their shouting was quiet. We know he held a senior position in the army but we never guessed what. He always wore civilian clothing," neighbors said.
Another neighbor said: "On Friday he drove to the base. It was the first time we saw how his children cried as he said goodbye. They never cried like this."
His family announced his death to the religious community only after Shabbat.
Rabbi Shmuel Shokron said Emanuel was a humble and an attentive commander. "Emanuel has been living here for a number of years. A humble and mysterious man … known as a good and attentive commander … all he did in the army was and will always be a secret."
On Thursday evening Emanuel brought the belongings of Rabbi Shokron's son, who is serving in Lebanon, to the family house.
"He came in modestly and timidly gave me the bag and left," the rabbi said.
Yochai, 10, Emanuel's nephew, said: "We always wanted to play with him … but since he was a serious man he always spoke the army and told us what happens in the army."
The Israel Defense Forces said the operation in which Emanuel was killed was aimed at curtailing arms smuggling from Syria to Hizbullah.
