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Major Alexander Katayev
Photo: Tzafrir Abayov

Citations, Qassams in south

Two rockets fired from Gaza Thursday evening; earlier, eight IDF soldiers awarded Cast Lead citations in Ashkelon ceremony

Eight IDF commanders and soldiers received citations Wednesday from Southern Command Chief Yoav Galant in appreciation of their conduct during Operation Cast Lead.

 

The ceremony was held in the southern town of Ashkelon, and shortly after it ended southern residents got a painful reminder of the circumstances that prompted the Gaza operation: A loud explosion was reported in Sderot, after two Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip apparently blew up in open areas.

 

Emotional day for IDF (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

 

No injuries or damages were reported in the attack, and the Color Red anti-rocket alert system was not activated.

 

First Sergeant (res.) Menachem Zik, who represented the decorated soldiers, said he was touched to revive the citation but added that he was also saddened, because of the death of his commander Roi Rosner, killed in Gaza after being hit by an anti-tank rocket.

 

"He educated us to adhere to our values, and he is not here to see his soldiers following in his footsteps," Zik said. "We are sending a clear message regarding the IDF's morality and adherence to values. These days, the country is facing tough tests, but Israelis have someone to count on."

 

In addition to Zik, the IDF soldiers who received citations are: Efraim Tehila, deputy platoon commander in Golani's Egoz Unit, Ofer Tsahari, a soldier in the Paratroop division, Motti Yiflach, an armored corps paramedic, Airborne Paramedic Ziv (his last name was not cleared for publication), Ziv Danieli, a paratroop squad commander, Nadav Musa, a platoon commander in Givati, and Dr. Alexander Katayev, a regimental doctor in the Golani brigade.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Galant told the decorated troops: "In the toughest hours…you stood up courageously, while risking your lives for your friends, for the sake of completing the mission, and on behalf of Israel's security."

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.16.09, 19:27
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