The Israeli Embassy in the Philippines reported on Wednesday that a 23-year-old Filipino national serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was killed in a rocket grenade attack by Hamas militants in Gaza.
In a statement, the embassy said Sergeant First Class (Reserves) Cydrick Garin was one of the 21 IDF soldiers who died after the Palestine-based militants—tagged by various countries as terrorists—launched an anti-tank missile at a compound located around Al Moazi, about 600 meters from the Israeli border.
A report by Israel’s Tazpit Press Service (TPS) said the anti-tank missile also hit the adjoining homes in the complex.
“As far as we know, at around 4 p.m., an RPG was fired by terrorists at a tank securing the forces, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred at two two-story buildings. The buildings collapsed due to this explosion, while most of the forces were inside and near them,” said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, as quoted by the TPS.
Consequently, the explosives being used by the Israeli forces to demolish the compound detonated and the two buildings collapsed.
Garin was slain together with the other soldiers during the said grenade attack which caused a Gaza compound being prepared for demolition to collapse upon the soldiers.
Garin was a combat sergeant in the 8208th battalion of the 261st brigade.
According to the embassy, Garin’s mother is a native of Isabela. Garin lived in Tel Aviv with his mother, Imelda Garin.
The incident was the deadliest for Israel as it declared war on Hamas in October 2023.
The embassy is currently facilitating the travel of the victim’s father to Israel, it said.
“Israel shares the profound grief of Sgt. Garin’s family and the Filipino community,” the embassy said.
“Our commitment is strong to support his loved ones during this challenging time,” it added.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Garin enlisted in the IDF and joined its Givati Brigade, where he received recognition as an outstanding soldier in the unit from the Southern Command in April 2021.
The embassy is currently facilitating the travel of Garin’s father to Israel.
He was enlisted in the IDF and joined the Givati Brigade.
In April 2021, he received recognition from the Southern Command for being an outstanding soldier in the unit.
