Michael Levin (soldier)
Michael Levin (February 17, 1984,
Levin's death had a major impact in Israel. Thousands of people attended his funeral, and his death inspired the creation of the
Early life
Levin grew up in Holland in
As a foreign-born soldier without immediate family in Israel, Levin was considered a lone soldier in the IDF. When Levin enlisted, there were an estimated 2,300 lone soldiers, approximately 120 of whom were American.[4]
IDF service
Levin had completed 2 years in the IDF when the
Omer Yaniv, from Levin's paratrooper unit, gave a graphic description of the chaotic circumstances surrounding his death. The 890th Paratrooper Battalion came under heavy fire as they advanced into the town. The IDF soldiers could not identify the source of the fire. The battalion's units got separated when running for cover. Levin's platoon hid in the back room of an empty store. A Hezbollah fighter managed to get close and fire straight into the small room, hitting Levin in the head. After several hours reinforcements reached the building and extracted them.[5]
Death
Levin was one of three IDF soldiers killed in Ayta ash Shab that day. Another 27 on the Israeli side were wounded. For several hours the Israeli soldiers fought and killed 15 Hezbollah fighters, according to IDF figures. The IDF's wounded were treated at the spot under heavy fire, as an evacuation was deemed almost impossible.[6] A local commander of Hezbollah guided Al Jazeera through Ayta ash Shab after the war and showed them the store where Levin was killed.[7]
Levin was the first American and 36th IDF soldier killed during the Second Lebanon War.[1] Of the 41 IDF soldiers killed during the war, three were lone soldiers.[4]
Funeral and legacy
Levin was buried on August 3 at
A memorial for Levin was erected at
On August 1, 2011, the 5th anniversary ("
See also
- Max Steinberg, lone soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza War
References
- ^ a b "Pennsylvania-born IDF Soldier Remembered As Friend and Zionist". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2006-08-03. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ Washington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ Ro'i Amos (September 2, 2011). כשהחדר מלא דם, כמו בסרטים, זה נראה כמו צבע לא קשור. אתר הגבורה. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
- ^ Yaakov Katz (Aug 2, 2006). "3 soldiers killed in Hizbullah ambush 5 brigades battle village by village in S. Lebanon". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
- ^ "Hizbullah Tactics During War 3-3". al-Jazeera /Youtube. Retrieved Dec 4, 2011. (Arabic)
- New York Times. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/12728/Monument_to_Honor_Fallen_American/ [permanent dead link]
- ^ http://embassies.gov.il/philadelphia/NewsAndEvents/Pages/Honoring-a-Philly-Hero.aspx [bare URL]