Chief Sergeant Elkana Wiesel, 35, from Bnei Dekalim, and class commander in the 8208th Battalion, 261st Brigade, tragically lost his life in the building collapse in Gaza on the 22nd of January 2024. He leaves behind his wife Galit, four children, parents, and seven siblings. Despite being wounded in Operation Protective Edge, Elkana chose to continue serving on the front lines in Gaza.

Rabbi Wiesel, a graduate of the Hesder yeshiva in Ramat Gan, was also an educator in Bnei Dekalim. His funeral was at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, becoming the fourth yeshiva graduate to die in the war.

In a letter before his deployment, Elkana urged his family not to negotiate with terrorists for his release if captured. He encouraged them to celebrate his life, emphasizing the importance of optimism and choosing a life of love, hope, purity, and optimism.

In a video to his students, Elkana sang with singer Avraham Fried, conveying strength and resilience. He recounted his experiences at Eitan Cliff, where he was previously wounded, expressing gratitude for the support received from the people of Israel.

Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira, head of the Ramat Gan Hesder yeshiva, paid tribute to Elkana, describing him as a gentle soul with rare strengths who dedicated himself to the State of Israel, even after receiving an exemption from reserves due to a previous injury.