Shahar Shalev. Photo: Facebook.

Sgt. Shahar Shalev, aged 20, a fighter in an elite Israel Defense Forces unit, died on Sunday morning of wounds he incurred during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Shahar is the 72^nd Israeli casualty of the operation and the 66^th soldier to fall.

Shalev was operating with his unit in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza when it was hit by a roadside bomb on July 23^rd. Three other soldiers were killed in the incident; Lieutenant Paz Eliyahu, 22, of Kibbutz Evron, Staff Sergeant Lee Matt, 19 of Eilat, and Staff Sergeant, Shahar Dauber, 20 of Kibbutz Ginegar. Shahar’s right leg was amputated due to his injuries a week ago.

Shalev, from Alonei HaBashan in the Golan Heights, is survived by his parents Shimon and Naomi, who were at his bedside throughout his final battle for survival, and five siblings. He is the first resident of Alonei HaBashan to fall during IDF sevice.

Last week, Tazpit News Agency reported on a blood platelet drive for Shalev, who required a transfusion daily. There was an overwhelming public response to the call.

Sgt. Natanel Maman, a 22-year-old IDF soldier who was critically wounded by shrapnel from a rocket that exploded next to Gan Yavneh in the Ashdod region, died of his wounds on Friday morning at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. He was laid to rest at the Gan Yavneh cemetery the same day.