A British man serving in the IDF has been killed whilst fighting Hamas terrorists.
Yosef Guedalia was killed fighting terrorists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel on October 8.
The 22-year-old soldier was part of the Duvdevan commando unit, an anti-terror unit in the IDF.
His funeral took place on October 11 in Jerusalem, but his family confirmed his death on Monday.
In a statement to the BBC, his brother Asher said he was "a righteous and good person" who was "always happy."
He continued: “He literally saved people minutes before he got shot.
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Yosef Guedalia (Photo: Family issue)
“He acted with heroism and determination, he continued to fight and didn't think of himself or hesitate."
Asher went on to say Yosef "went in to rescue as many citizens as possible before they got murdered in their homes and to kill as many terrorists as he could."
Paying tribute on LinkedIn, his father David Guedalia said, "with deep sorrow we mourn the fall of my son". He added: "May his memory be a blessing."
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David Guedalia pays tribute to his son (Photo: LinkedIn)
The 22-year-old was born and raised in Beit Shemesh to an English-speaking family. His mother was born in Manchester.
He was about to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with American wife Senai, 23, and had been due to finish his IDF service within months.
His family explained that Yosef was at a synagogue in Jerusalem while on weekend leave from his mandatory military service when sirens warning of the Hamas attack sounded.
He left for southern Israel to fight Hamas terrorists just hours later.
Recalling Yosef's last words before he left, Senai said: "He said: 'I love you, I’ll see you soon' and he got in the car."
Speaking in the House of Lords on Tuesday the Archbishop of Canterbury, who visited Jerusalem last week, said he had spent time with Yosef’s wife and parents, and suggested the soldier be formally recognised by the UK Government for his “extreme courage”.
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: “He gave his life against overwhelming odds as wave after wave of sought to kill people in [Kibbutz Kfar Aza]. “I wonder if the government is considering, given he is a British citizen, what official recognition of his supreme courage can be offered."
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