Binyamin Needham, a 19-year-old British national, was killed while fighting for Israel Defense Forces in Gaza against Hamas militants on Sunday.
The first British national who was killed was 20-year-old Nathanel Young. Needham was the second British national to have been killed serving with the IDF during or after the October 7 attacks.
Needham Killed After Fighting For IDF
The IDF reported that Needham was one of two soldiers killed during an operation in the north of the territory. They said that he was killed in close combat after his unit entered a building and came across Hamas militants.
Haaretz, an Israeli Newspaper, said that Needham was the youngest among the five siblings. He was born in England and emigrated with his family to Israel from Zichron Yaakov when he was eight years old.
Furthermore, he fought with the 601st Battalion of the Combat Engineering Corps. The Israeli officials reported that Needham had only been in the Gaza Strip for two days when he was killed and even celebrated his birthday two weeks ago.
According to The Guardian, Sgt Ben Zussman was also killed with Needham in the operation, and another two soldiers were wounded.
Needham's sister Orly said her brother was proud to fight with the IDF as he just finished his basic training. She added that he was very happy to defend the country.
Needham was promoted to the rank of sergeant after his death. According to the IDF, 75 soldiers were killed in operations in Gaza since October 7, not including the personnel killed in the attacks themselves.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has not been approached for consular assistance relating to Needham's death.
Israeli Operations After Seven-Day Ceasefire
On Friday, Israeli operations in Gaza resumed after the seven-day ceasefire. More than 100 hostages were released, and the flow of aid into the territory has increased.
Civilians in about 20 areas of central Gaza were ordered to move further south, using the maps posted online for people to access via smartphones on Monday.
Israeli tanks, armored personnel carriers, and bulldozers were also seen moving down the main north-to-south road in Gaza near the southern city of Khan Younis.
Brig Gen Hisham Ibrahim, the commander of Israel's armored corps, ordered the movement and said that they had almost met the goal of Israeli forces in northern Gaza.
According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 15,000 people were killed, and about 70% were primarily women and children.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his first press conference since the fighting resumed that the war would continue until they achieve all their goals. He added that the temporary ceasefire has allowed Israel's soldiers to prepare for total victory over Hamas.
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