The IDF said Sunday that Capt. David Hazutt, 21, of Ashkelon, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon.
Hazutt was a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion. The military said another soldier was lightly wounded in the incident.
Capt. David Hazutt
(Photo: IDF)
The clash occurred around 2 a.m., when troops from the Golani Brigade combat team were ambushed by a Hezbollah terrorist while entering a suspected Hezbollah position near Deir Siryan in southern Lebanon, the military said.
After the clash, Israeli forces launched searches for the terrorist and struck targets in the area. The military said efforts to eliminate the assailant were continuing and troops were still searching the area.
Hazutt was a graduate of the Ort Afridar school in Ashkelon. He is survived by his mother and sister.
“Our David truly lived up to his name,” his aunt, Moran, said. “We called him ‘King David’ in the family, and so did his friends. He was the salt of the earth.”
She said Hazutt lost his father at age 16, when he suffered cardiac arrest and died in front of him.
“Despite everything, he knew exactly where he wanted to go,” she said. “He wanted to serve in the IDF.”
Hazutt’s mother initially opposed his wish to serve in a combat role because, apart from his sister, he was her only son, his aunt said. But she eventually gave her consent.
“He went through a long training course, joined the Golani Brigade and, after completing officers’ training, was assigned to a staff position,” she said. “But he refused to give up until he received the role he had dreamed of — becoming a combat officer, leading his platoon into battle and defending the country. He was truly the salt of the earth.”
Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam said the city “bows its head” over Hazutt’s death.
“David left behind a heartbroken family,” Glam said. “May his memory be blessed and preserved in our hearts forever.”
Last week, seven IDF soldiers were buried after being killed in fighting in Lebanon. Lt. Col. Dor Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, was killed alongside three of his soldiers in a tank explosion: Staff Sgt. Nave Habshush, Staff Sgt. Liav Kababia and Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein.
Master Sgt. Alexander Filin, 29, was killed by an explosive device in the village of Taybeh; Sgt. First Class Nir Ben Ari, 21, was killed by Hezbollah rocket fire and attack drones; and Master Sgt. (res.) Basel Sweid, 32, was killed when a military refueling tanker overturned.