Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos, late from Haifa, fell in battle in southern Lebanon • Funeral held on Friday, October 9, 2026

(Haipo) – Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos, 21 years old from Haifa, a combat officer in the 603rd Battalion of the "Saar of the Golan" formation (7th Brigade), fell in battle in southern Lebanon on Tishrei 27, 5777 (October 8, 2026). Notification of his death was given to his family. The IDF announced that it shares the family's grief.

Funeral and memorial service details:

A combat officer from Haifa who fell in southern Lebanon

The late Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos served as a combat officer in the 603rd Battalion, "Saar of Golan" formation (7th Brigade), and was killed in battle in southern Lebanon. Tspelmos was 21 years old when he fell, and was from the city of Haifa. After his death, he was promoted from the rank of lieutenant to the rank of captain. The IDF informed his family of his death. In a statement, the IDF spokesman stated that the IDF shares the family's grief and will continue to support them during this difficult time.

Haifa mourns her son

The late Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos is another casualty from the city of Haifa who fell during the fighting in southern Lebanon. Tspelmos, who was a young officer of only 21 years old, served in the 603rd Battalion of the "Saar of Golan" formation, one of the IDF's engineering units.
The IDF said it will continue to accompany the family of the deceased.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav on the fall in Lebanon of the city's native, Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos, the late:

"With a broken heart and deep sorrow, I received the difficult news of the death of Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos, a native of Haifa, an IDF soldier in regular service, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon.

"Eliav went out to defend his people and his country and will never return. He was part of the generation of heroes of the State of Israel. A generation of young people with dreams, aspirations and a bright future ahead of them, who carry on their shoulders an enormous responsibility for the security of the country and the peace of its citizens. A generation that reminds us all of what mission, dedication and love of country are."

"Eliav is the son of Heli, a Haifa Municipality employee, and my son. Dear Heli, all of us – your friends and colleagues in the Haifa Municipality – are shocked and hurt.

"There are no words that can comfort you for such a terrible loss. The Haifa Municipality family and the entire city's residents bow their heads today, embrace you, and share in your heavy grief."

Of blessed memory".

Israel Railways bows its head and mourns the heavy disaster that occurred tonight in Lebanon, with the fall of Captain Eliav Chaim Tspelmos, the late.

Israel Railways will accompany the Tsepelmos family during these difficult times.

Galit Savir, who taught Eliav in grades 10-12 at Kiryat Haim High School:

"Eliav was an outstanding student who also stood out for being a moral, respectful, responsible and very well-liked boy by his friends. Despite his young age, Eliav was very mature in his approach to life. As an educator, I had many in-depth conversations with him about studies, the dilemmas of adolescence, the situation in the country and life in general. I was always amazed by the sharpness of his thought and his mature view of things.

Eliav had a motivation to be the best in every field, and it was expressed in an extraordinary determination. Eliav always set goals for himself and met them. He knew how to deal with any challenge that faced him, so I was not surprised when he told me that he had enlisted in a combat unit and became an officer. He had the qualities of a leader, and it came naturally to him.

Even after he graduated and became a soldier and officer, he made sure to visit the school regularly and ask about my well-being and the well-being of the other teachers.

"I lost not only a student today, I feel like I lost a friend. A brilliant young man who could have gone so far. The eyes don't stop watering, and the heart refuses to believe. May his memory be blessed."