A Connecticut-born soldier in the Israel Defense Forces was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, according to a post from Israel Defense Forces and others on Sunday.
Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, 22, was born in New Haven and was a soldier in the 890th battalion, Paratroopers Brigade.
“The IDF sends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing,” Israel Defense Forces said in the post.
Mendy Katz of Greater New Haven, the fallen soldier’s father, posted on Facebook about the loss of his son.
“With unspeakable tragedy I regret to inform you that my 22-year-old son Moshe Yitzchak [Hacohen] Katz, a sergeant in the IDF, fell in battle in Lebanon. My oldest son with a zest for life and jokes. Burial is tomorrow in Israel. Maybe we only share good news. My heart is shattered and the wound is real. May he be a malitz yosher for only good things,” Mendy Katz’s post read.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on X early Sunday morning Eastern Time.
“My wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sergeant Moshe Yitzhak HaCohen Katz, who fell in battle in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a translation of his post. “The late Moshe immigrated to Israel from the United States, enlisted in the Paratrooper Brigade and fought bravely in defense of the homeland.”
“On behalf of all citizens of Israel, we embrace the family of the late Moshe in their difficult time and wish a speedy and complete recovery to our soldiers who were injured in that incident,” the statement concluded. “May his memory be blessed.”
The Times of Israel reported the younger Katz was a member of the Chabad community in New Haven, Connecticut. This Chabad community, as are others, is very tight-knit.