Staff Sgt. (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, who was killed by a Hezbollah IED Wednesday in southern Lebanon, is being laid to rest at the military cemetery in Haifa. His family had called on the public to attend the funeral, saying they feared sparse turnout due to his comrades being on active duty.
The funeral of Staff Sgt. (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, is underway at the military cemetery in Haifa, as reported by Channel 12 journalist Ofer Ravid. The service began shortly after the noon time announced by his family, who had earlier appealed to the public to attend, fearing his comrades' ongoing active service would yield sparse turnout.
Filin, a lone soldier who immigrated alone from Ukraine and was selected as a presidential standout during his service, was killed on Wednesday evening during a foot patrol in southern Lebanon when a Hezbollah IED exploded. The IDF initially named him on Thursday morning, and by Thursday evening had detailed the casualties: seven soldiers were also wounded, including a colonel. As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, his family's urgent public appeal for attendance was published earlier Sunday morning, ahead of the funeral.
The funeral takes place amid a broader period of combat in southern Lebanon. On Friday night, four IDF soldiers were killed in a separate incident in the area, as The Zioneer reported, highlighting the continued threat to troops operating there despite the ceasefire framework with Hezbollah.
No further details are yet available on the number of attendees or any statements from military officials at the service.
4 developments
- StrongIDF says one soldier killed, seven wounded by Hezbollah IED in southern Lebanon; Filin named, injuries detailed
- StrongDefense Minister Katz sends condolences to family of fallen reservist Filin
- DevelopingThe Zioneer republishes interview with fallen reservist Alexander Filin
- ConfirmedIDF soldier killed by Hezbollah IED in southern Lebanon, deputy division commander wounded
Source and signal
- Internal intake