The IDF announced on Thursday evening that Capt. Eliav Haim Tzapalamus, 21, of Haifa, was killed when a military Humvee overturned in the Litani area of southern Lebanon. He was a combat officer in the 603rd Battalion of the 7th Brigade. Three other soldiers were lightly wounded in the crash.
That spelling of the officer's name appears in reports by VINnews, Arutz Sheva and i24NEWS. Another report rendered it as Captain Eliav Chaim Tzfalmos.
The Humvee rolled over on Thursday afternoon while a 7th Brigade force was carrying out operational activity in the sector. The army classified the crash as an operational accident. It cleared the officer's name for publication once his family had been informed.
The three injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, and their families have also been notified. The incident is under investigation. The military has not disclosed what caused the vehicle to overturn.
VINnews reported that the 603rd Battalion has been involved in engineering missions and clearing routes in the Litani sector over the course of the current campaign. Israeli forces are continuing to operate in southern Lebanon amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah.
In Haifa, the loss was felt close to City Hall. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav eulogized the young officer and noted that Eliav was the son of Benny and of Heli, an employee of the Haifa Municipality.
"Eliav went out to defend his people and his country and will not return. He was part of the generation of heroes of the State of Israel - a generation of young people with dreams, aspirations, and an entire future ahead of them, who carry on their shoulders an enormous responsibility for the security of the country and the safety of its citizens," Yahav said.
Speaking directly to the fallen officer's mother, Yahav wrote: "Dear Heli, all of us - your friends and colleagues at the Haifa Municipality - are devastated and heartbroken."
