Gallant remembers slain IDF colonel as ‘a brave officer’; Gantz says he’s a ‘reminder of the sacrifice of Druze society’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant eulogizes Col. Ehsan Daqsa, who fell in battle in Gaza today, as “a bold commander, a brave officer, and a man who contributed his energy to the security of the state.”

“I met Ehsan while he was leading his soldier on their mission to dismantle the Rafah Brigade of Hamas — in this mission too, he showed creativity and aggression, this is how he acted in all his roles, this is how he, unfortunately, fell in battle,” the defense minister says in a statement.

Former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz also makes a statement after the IDF announces the death of the commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, writing on X, “Ehsan is a reminder of the sacrifice of Druze society as a whole, always, and especially in this difficult war.”

“As we continue the battle, we must make sure that the entire Druze society feels equal and a part of our people,” he adds.

Daqsa, 41, was from the Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel. He took command of the 401st Brigade in June.