Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the family of Lt.-Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon in Beit HaShita after the commander was killed by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Zamir met with Ben Simhon's parents, his widow Ariella — who serves in the Northern Command — and his five brothers, all current or former combat soldiers. Ben Simhon, a former aide to Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, was the fourth commander of the 401st Armored Brigade's 52nd Battalion since Oct. 7, 2023; his predecessors were wounded. The visit was described as a rare personal gesture by the IDF chief.
IDF Chief Zamir Makes Personal Visit to Family of Armored Corps Commander Killed by Hezbollah
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visits the family of murdered soldier Lt.-Col. Dor Ben Simhon, June 21, 2026. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir paid a personal visit on Sunday to the home of Lt.-Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon of Beit HaShita, the commander of the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armored Brigade who was killed by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
During the visit, Zamir met with Ben Simhon's parents, his widow Ariella and the officer's five brothers — each of whom is or has been a combat soldier. Ariella Ben Simhon herself serves as an officer in the IDF's Northern Command.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visits the family of murdered soldier Lt.-Col. Dor Ben Simhon, June 21, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Ben Simhon had previously served as a senior aide to former Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, he was the fourth commander of the 401st Armored Brigade's 52nd Battalion; the three commanders before him were wounded in action.
Zamir frequently speaks publicly about the fallen and wounded and addresses bereaved families, including remarks at a recent Jerusalem conference. Still, senior officials noted that this in-person visit to Ben Simhon’s household was an unusually personal gesture by the chief of staff, underscoring the army’s recognition of the family’s sacrifice and long record of service.
Context and Significance
The visit highlights the human cost of the northern front and the connected service of multiple family members within the IDF. It also reflects senior leadership efforts to personally acknowledge frontline losses and support grieving families during ongoing operations.
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