Mordechai Yosef Ben Shoam

Sgt. Maj. (res.) Mordechai Yosef Ben Shoam, 34, of Geva Binyamin - 8119th Battalion, 16th (Jerusalem) Infantry Brigade. Fell in combat in the central Gaza Strip.
His sister in law wrote on Facebook: 

"Friends, this past Saturday we lost my dear brother-in-law, who was like a brother in every sense—my sister’s husband, the love of her life, and the father of their amazing daughter, Naia. He left behind his parents, siblings, and an extended family that loved him with all their hearts. Mordechai, whom we affectionately called "Momo," was an extraordinary person, a man full of heart.

He was killed in Gaza during an operational mission with his battalion, 8119, a reserve battalion of the Jerusalem Brigade (16th Brigade). Mordechai was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him. He loved the military and his country with all his heart and was always the first to step up for any mission.

He was called up on October 7th under emergency orders and served for four consecutive months. After a brief break, he joined an operational deployment in Gush Etzion for a month, followed by another short respite. Then he returned to Gaza. Altogether, he completed 10 months of reserve duty with only two short breaks.

Even on his final mission, he insisted on being in the lead vehicle on the route, and there, tragically, he fell. May his memory be a blessing. Our hearts are broken."