An Australian father serving with Israeli forces has been killed by Hamas militants in Gaza, days before he was due to be reunited with his wife to welcome their second child.
Reserve Captain Lior Sivan, 32, was called up by Israeli forces hours after the Hamas ground attack in southern Israel on October 7.
Captain Sivan had only briefly left Gaza a few times since he was called up to serve.
On December 19, he was serving as a tank commander in the south of the strip when he was ambushed by Gaza militants and killed.
His death marks the first time an Australian citizen has been killed fighting for Israel.
Tragically, the 32-year-old was waiting for leave to be reunited with his two-year-old son and wife Liav, who is due to give birth to their daughter next week.
Reserve Captain Lior Sivan, 32, was killed on December 19 when his tank was ambushed by Hamas militants in southern Gaza
Tragically, the 32-year-old (right) was waiting for leave to be with his wife Liav (left), who is due to give birth to their daughter in a week.
Captain Sivan was in a tank when the tank's driver saw a member of the Hamas terrorist group planting an explosive in another tank next to them.
Dan Sivan described his son as a “hero” for sacrificing his life after opening the hatch, standing up and trying to shoot the threat.
“Instead of trying to maneuver him out of the tank and shoot him, he wasn't thinking about his wife and son. He was a hero. He opened the hatch and stood up to shoot him,” the heartbroken father said ABC news.
'But it was an ambush and someone hiding behind a building launched something at him.
'He was killed immediately. But he saved the four men in the other tank and possibly the other three in his own tank.”
Mr Sivan said soldiers shared their condolences with the family during the seven-day Shiva mourning period.
Many soldiers told Mr Sivan how his son had saved their lives.
Captain Sivan's father, Dan Sivan, described his son (pictured) as a 'hero' for sacrificing himself to save the lives of fellow soldiers
Mr Sivan said his son was not a 'fighter' by nature, but had a deep desire to defend and protect his country.
Authorities advised Captain Sivan's grieving family not to view his corpse before he was buried in the military section of the cemetery in Beit Shemash – the city in central Israel where he lived.
The dual Australian/Israeli citizen was born in Melbourne and was a toddler when he moved to Israel with his parents.
His parents were both born in South America and emigrated with their families to Australia as children to escape oppressive regimes.
Captain Sivan's heartbroken wife Liav spoke at his funeral, telling mourners she would regularly speak to her husband on the phone about future plans and welcoming their baby daughter.
She added that her husband often assured her that his duties were not dangerous because “soldiers in tanks couldn't even get hurt.”
“Yesterday we were talking on the phone, we were dreaming about trips abroad and the house and the little girl who was coming, and you said it hurts to miss us so much,” Ms Sivan told mourners.
The dual Australian/Israeli citizen was born in Melbourne before returning to Israel with his parents as a toddler.
Captain Sivan's sister Ma'ayan said people were drawn to her brother like a 'magnet' because of his captivating personality, charisma, confidence, looks and impressive height.
His brother Gabriel, who is also a tank commander in Gaza, spoke to him just hours before he was killed and wished him to continue the conversation as it could have changed the sequence of events.
“I'm sorry I didn't warn you on that phone call, not that I could have known. If I had spoken a little longer it might have changed the sequence of events,” he said.
Outside of his military service, Captain Sivan was a mechanical engineer known for his inventions.
His inventions include a chair that helps people with disabilities be independent in the water and a cell phone charging cable designed for use in tanks.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Daily Mail Australia it is aware of reports that an Australian citizen has been killed in Gaza and is urgently seeking further confirmation.
“We extend our condolences to his family at this difficult time and stand ready to provide consular assistance,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.