Yonatan Steinberg | |
|---|---|
 Steinberg in 2019 | |
| Native name | יהונתן שטיינברג |
| Born | 1980 |
| Died | (aged 42) Kerem Shalom, Israel |
| Allegiance |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israel Defense Forces |
| Commands | 933rd "Nahal" Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Gaza war † |
Yonatan Steinberg (Hebrew:יהונתן שטיינברג; 1980 – 7 October 2023) was an officer in theIsrael Defense Forces (IDF) with the rank ofcolonel, who served as the commander of the933rd "Nahal" Brigade. He had previously served as the commander of the Center for Tactical Training in the IDF, the commander of theBinyamin Brigade [he], the Assistant Brigade Commander (Operations) of theSteel Formation, and the commander of Battalion 931. He was killed byHamas fighters in asurprise attack on Israel in October 2023.
Steinberg studied at Jerusalem'sHorev Yeshiva [he] high school andMa'ale Eliyahu [he] yeshiva in Tel Aviv.[1] He enlisted in theIsrael Defense Forces (IDF) in August 2000 and was assigned to Battalion 931 in theNahal Brigade. After completing basic training, he served as a combat soldier. He underwent the IDF's Combat Intelligence Collection Corps course and the IDF's Officer Candidate School. Upon completing the courses, he returned to Battalion 931, where he was appointed a platoon commander and participated in combat operations against Palestinian militants during theSecond Intifada.[1][2]
Later, he served as a company commander in Battalion 931.[1] Between 2011 and 2012, he served as the deputy commander of Battalion 931. Following that, he served as the Assistant Brigade Commander (Operations) of the Nahal Brigade between 2012 and 2013. Subsequently, he was appointed theChief of Staff's Military Secretary, serving in this role between 2013 and 2015.[3] In 2016, he served aslieutenant colonel in Battalion 931[1] In 2019, he was appointed commander of theBinyamin Brigade [he] of the IDF,[4] reaching the rank ofcolonel.[5] In 2022, he was made chief leader for tactical operations and held this position until 2023. He was made commander of the933rd Brigade in May.[2][6][7]
On 7 October 2023, Steinberg was killed in action in an exchange of fire with Palestinian militants during theHamas-led attack on Israel.[8][9] He was one of the most senior IDF officers to be killed in action for some time.[10] His army-issued weapon was found by Israeli commandos in theHamad City neighbourhood ofKhan Yunis, along with personal effects of Israeli abductees, in March 2024.[11]
Steinberg lived inShomria, areligious kibbutz in southern Israel with his wife Yiska and six children.[2]
The weapon of the commander of the Nahal Brigade who was killed at the beginning of the war, Colonel Yonatan Steinberg, was found in recent days by the commando brigade in 'Hamad City' in Khan Yunis. Along with the weapon of the senior officer, the fighters located effects of Israeli abductees.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
