Chief Military Rabbi Brig. Gen. Rabbi Rafi Peretz, confirmed on Friday afternoon at 2:40 p.m. Israel time, that First Sergeant Oron Shaul, a Golani Brigade combat soldier, who fell in battle in Gaza, is dead.

The family was informed by the Head of the Personnel Directorate, Major General Orna Barbivai, the Chief Military Rabbi, and the Commander of Habashan formation, Brig.-Gen. Ofek Buchris.

The family was told that halachically, First Sergeant Shaul is defined as an IDF fallen soldier whose place of burial is not known.

A military source said that since First Sergeant Shaul is defined as an IDF fallen soldier whose place of burial is not known, there will be no funeral and the family is not obligated to hold a shiva until further notice.