IDF assessment: Hezbollah explosive device caused the death of soldiers in Lebanon
Two days after the explosion in southern Lebanon that killed Major (res.) Harel Birenstock and Sergeant Major (res.) Tamir Vaknin, IDF sources report that the assessment is growing that the cause was a Hezbollah explosive device.
Two days after the explosion in southern Lebanon that killed Major (res.) Harel Birenstock (34) and Sergeant Major (res.) Tamir Vaknin (33), IDF sources told Channel 13 News today, Friday, that contrary to claims that the cause was unexploded IDF ordnance, "the assessment is growing that the cause of the explosion was a Hezbollah explosive device."
It was further stated by the sources that "the IDF continues to investigate the incident and to pinpoint when the device was planted."
Yesterday, Major Birenstock was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, and Sergeant Major Vaknin at the military cemetery in Eilat. Sergeant Major Vaknin's father eulogized him:
"My beloved son, how can one part with my heart and soul? My hero child, you knew how to give love and asked for nothing. You were always only on the giving side. You cared for your brothers, you shared with all your heart. Everyone, but everyone, loved you."
"You were a people person and connected with everyone," the grieving father added, "even in the company they say you connected with the young soldiers until they didn't know if you were one of the veterans or the young ones. Only you were capable of that. When you entered Lebanon, you didn't want to tell and didn't want to worry. Yesterday morning I called, you didn't answer. I felt that something bad was happening. I cried in the car from longing, alone. How do you part with a beloved child? With a child with a pure soul? How am I supposed to bury my son instead of accompanying him to his wedding?".
Major Birenstock's widow, Elia, eulogized him:
"From you I want to ask that you remember Harel with that smile of his, that star, who would enter a room and after a minute everyone would fall in love with him. That after five minutes everyone was his friend. In our family we used to say about Harel that he knew how to enjoy himself, and he had so much to enjoy. I want you to remember him, a man of life, of laughter and of joy, because it is impossible to remember him and not smile."
