The Israel Defense Forces announced that Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, a 23-year-old soldier from Atlit, died Friday when a drone operated by Hezbollah from Lebanon hit Israeli forces positioned near the northern border within Israeli territory.
The fallen soldier worked as a combat specialist focusing on technology and maintenance within the 9th Battalion of the 401st Brigade.
Military officials reported that the attack left one soldier with serious injuries and a noncommissioned officer with minor wounds. Medical teams transported both injured personnel for treatment while their families received notification.
The IDF stated that approximately 25 minutes following the initial strike, another explosive drone touched down in the identical location. This second incident resulted in no casualties.
In an interview with Ynet, Liat Hamburger, the victim’s mother, shared memories of her son: “Noam was pleasant and kind, he was simply a great gift to any mother. He always had a big smile, was an excellent student and loved to learn.”
The family had maintained contact with him just before the fatal incident occurred. “He managed to speak with us the day before the tragedy, he wished us a happy Shavuot holiday. We planned to come to him the next day with treats he loved, but then he didn’t answer us and it was very strange, we had a feeling that something happened,” she explained.
Liat Hamburger revealed that her son was looking forward to completing his military service and returning to civilian life. “He was about to be discharged soon with many plans. It’s simply incomprehensible that our Noam with his big heart, his heart of gold, won’t return anymore,” she stated.
