Cpt. David Hazutt Z”L is the soldier who was killed overnight Saturday into Sunday in combat in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM, when a Golani brigade combat team operating in the Dir Siryan area encountered a Hezbollah terrorist. During the encounter, the terrorist opened fire on the force.
Cpt. Hazutt Z”L was hit by gunfire and killed on the spot. Another soldier was lightly wounded in the incident and was taken for medical treatment at a hospital. The soldiers returned fire at the terrorist, who was not eliminated at the scene, and the IDF subsequently struck the area with artillery.
Cpt. Hazutt Z”L, 21 at his death, grew up in Ashkelon. Family and friends affectionately called him “King David.” His aunt, Moran, eulogized him this morning: “Unfortunately under these circumstances we get to tell about David, but our David—his name says it all, King David is what we called him in the family and friends too. Salt of the earth.”
Moran shared David’s wrenching story, which led him to meaningful combat service: “A boy who lost his father at 16 when his dad suffered a heart attack next to him and died. This boy chose and knew exactly where he wanted to get to and wanted to enlist in the IDF.”
Despite being his mother’s only son, left with only his sister, he insisted on serving as a combat soldier: “Even though his mother didn’t want it, she signed for him to be a combat soldier like he wanted, and he did so much.”
Mayor Tomer Glam eulogized him: “The city of Ashkelon bows its head and grieves over the fall of Cpt. David Hazutt Z”L, a city resident, platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, who fell in battle defending the homeland. David Z”L left behind a mother and sister and a heartbroken family. The Ashkelon municipality will accompany the family in its difficult hour and provide all necessary assistance.”
The funeral of Captain David Hazutt will be held today, Sunday, at 5:00 PM in the military section of the Givat Zion cemetery in Ashkelon.