Cpt. Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22, z"l, was the first casualty in Lebanon

Cpt. Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22, z"l, was the first casualty of Israel's ground incursion into Lebanon. He fell today in the battle against Hezbollah, as part of Israel's mission to return 60,000 displaced residents to to their homes after a year of Hezbollah rocket fire at civilians in Israel's northern communities.

Before he left for combat, Eitan recorded a message to his family, in which he repeated an often quoted line: That what motivates a soldier shouldn't be hatred for the enemy, but love for those he has left behind at home.

He expressed his hope that his younger nephews won't have to deal with these conflicts when they grow up. And, ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, he asked forgiveness for ways he may have hurt loved ones in the short times he has had with them this year between tours of duty.

Eitan sacrificed his life for those he loves. He is a hero of the Jewish people. May his memory be a blessing.

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