The IDF has released the identity of the soldier who was killed by sniper fire from Gaza on erev Shabbos. Givati Brigade Staff-Sgt. Aviv Levy HY”D, 21, from Petach Tikvah, was killed by sniper fire originating in Gaza. The IDF retaliated, striking some 60 Hamas targets in Gaza, leading to at least five fatalities according to reports from Gaza.

Levi was inducted into the IDF in March 2016, serving in the Givati Brigade, in the Tzabar Battalion. His father served as a sergeant in the Chod Company, one of the most veteran company’s in the battalion.

Aviv is survived by his parents, Perry and Yaakov, and siblings Orian (19), Noi (15), and Dan (4.5).

The security establishment now report it does not believe Hamas was behind the sniper fire that led to Aviv’s death. Nevertheless, the IDF and the Government hold the Hamas regime in Gaza responsible for the escalation in fighting.

In response to the violent activity emanating from the Gaza Strip and the death of an IDF soldier, the IDF struck eight Hamas military targets and three Hamas battalion headquarters yesterday pic.twitter.com/XXmtA3YMqY

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 21, 2018

An Israeli soldier was killed by a sniper and rockets were fired at Israel. This is what happened in the last 24 hours: pic.twitter.com/YfXNGe5Zdv

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 21, 2018

A special celebration was planned for Aviv’s 21st birthday on August 4th. He was supposed to complete his service in the IDF in a number of months.

Aviv and his brother Orian, who is also a combat soldier, were in Israel while their parents were on a trip to Italy with the other siblings. They received the bitter news from consulate officials in Italy. An uncle, Noam, explains they are still working on accepting the harsh reality that Aviv is gone. Noam added, “he already planned his trip to South America after being discharged. It was his dream and we planned to travel together. No, it simply will not happen”.

Noam adds, “When he enlisted he feared he would be assigned to the Tank Corps, and was as pleased as could be when he learned he was going to Givati. He was trained as a medic and served as one, as well as a command course and was now serving as a sergeant”.

Orian, who serves as a driver for a deputy battalion commander in a Golani base, explains his brother was a “model for all to emulate”. He emphasized that anything Aviv did, he did to the best of his abilities.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman commended, “On Friday, we lost an IDF soldier, Sgt. Aviv Levi from Petach Tikvah, who fell in defense of the people, the nation, and residents of the Gaza border communities. My heart goes out to the family. May his memory be blessed. The bullet that struck Aviv, struck the hearts of every mother and father in Israel”.

The levaya for Aviv Levi HY”D will take place on Sunday, 10 Menachem Av, at noon, in the military section of the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah.

The IDF struck 60 sites in 3 Hamas battalion compounds. The targets included weapon manufacturing sites, a shaft to a tunnel network, a factory used for underground infrastructure manufacturing, a UAV warehouse, military operations room, training facilities, and observation posts pic.twitter.com/uTCxAyg2By

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018

A number of suspects infiltrated Israel from the northern Gaza Strip. The suspects then returned to the Gaza Strip. In response, an IDF tank targeted a Hamas military post

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 21, 2018

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: IDF Spokesman Unit)