IDF officer killed in Gaza
Palestinian gunmen fire anti-tank missile at Haruv force entering building near Kissufim crossing, mortally wounding company commander, injuring soldier
Cleared for publication: Major Roee Rosner, 27, from Holon was killed and another soldier sustained minor injuries during an operation in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday.
The incident took place near the Kissufim crossing. Rosner, a company commander, and another serviceman, were wounded when an anti-tank missile was fired by Palestinian gunmen at a building their force, which is part of the IDF's Haruv Company, was entering.
Rosner was married just 10 months ago, and a few days before he was killed the newlyweds received the key to their new apartment in Holon. He also left behind his parents and a younger brother, who has been drafted for reserve service as well.
Yitzik Kirschner, Rosner's uncle, said he had been an excellent athlete. "He was a happy guy. A mischievous kid. When he was a boy you couldn't get him to sit still. In all sports he wanted to be first, he didn't like to lose and would always get upset if he did. He was great at running and liked soccer and tennis," Kirschner said. Rosner had also had plans of studying for a master's degree.
The Haruv Company is part of the IDF's Kfir Brigade. The company was in training when its forces were called to take part in Operation Cast Lead. Kfir Brigade companies are usually deployed in the West Bank.
The military has yet to determine whether the force was targeted by Hamas terrorist, or hit by random Palestinian fire.
