Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of Petah Tikva, a soldier in the 77th Battalion of the “Sa’ar MiGolan” Brigade, was killed in a drone strike. An officer and three soldiers were also seriously wounded, one soldier was moderately wounded and another sustained light injuries.
Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg paid tribute: “I share in the deep sorrow of the Fooks family over the fall of an Israeli hero, the soldier Idan Fooks, of blessed memory, during fighting in southern Lebanon. Idan, a resident of the Pisgat Hadar neighborhood in Petah Tikva, was a graduate of Ben-Gurion High School in the city.”
Ruth Wolf, Sgt. Idan Fooks’ homeroom teacher for three years in high school, told ynet she was “in complete shock,” calling him a sensitive and respectful student from a values-driven home who loved his country and friends. “You couldn’t ignore him, with such a captivating personality,” she said, recalling his thoughtful writing and habit of sending holiday and birthday greetings. “It’s hard to believe he’s not here. I hoped to see him at last Tuesday’s ceremony, but understood he couldn’t come. We stayed in touch. He was a wonderful young man.”
She also shared a note she gave him upon graduation: “You were a unique presence in class, full of charisma and presence — a wide heart and wisdom mixed with humor.”
His funeral will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at the Segula Military Cemetery in Petah Tikva.
During the incident, two additional explosive drones were launched toward the forces. One drone was intercepted and exploded near the troops as the wounded were being evacuated from the area, with no further casualties reported.
Following the incident, the Israeli military began striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon with artillery and airstrikes.
First published: 19:09, 04.26.26