During the challenging events surrounding the raid on Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Sergeant Ion, a seasoned fighter and commander in Company 401, tragically lost his life. Despite battling cancer for the past two years and surpassing the mandatory reserve service age, the 51-year-old from Rosh Ha'Ain, determinedly volunteered for duty in Gaza when the war brock out. "We have no other home, and losing is not an option; we must emerge victorious," he declared on his Facebook page on January 27th.

Sebastian, affectionately known as "Sabi," met his end while bravely intervening to prevent a captured terrorist from escaping during a prisoner transport. In the chaos of the moment, he was struck by friendly fire, a tragic occurrence known as double-sided fire. The brigade noted that Sebastian's swift recognition of the situation and immediate action to thwart the escape was characteristic of his commitment and bravery. Details revealed that, during the transport, a terrorist attempted to flee, exploiting a moment of reduced speed. Following IDF protocol, Sergeant Ion, recognizing the urgency, leaped into pursuit. Tragically, in the ensuing gunfire aimed at the fleeing terrorist, Ion was inadvertently struck by his comrades' bullets, resulting in his untimely demise.

Yehuda Reuveni, a close friend of Sebastian's, reminisced about his exceptional qualities: "He was an incredible father and an even better friend—a man with a heart, a smile, and an unwavering willingness to help. It may sound cliché, but he truly stood out in his generosity." Sebastian, an immigrant from Argentina to Israel, was known among his circle of friends, particularly his fellow bikers. "We used to hit the road on Saturdays, even ventured on trips abroad together. We bonded over our shared love for heavy motorcycles," Yehuda recalled, still struggling to come to terms with Sebastian's passing.

Sergeant Ion's sacrifice marks the 251st loss for the State of Israel since the commencement of the ground operation. Yet, as he fervently believed, victory remains imperative.