Tragic Loss as IDF Soldier Falls in Stampede Attack at Maccabim Checkpoint
Herzliya, Israel – Yesterday (Thursday), the nation mourned the loss of Sergeant Maxim Molchanov, a courageous fighter who tragically lost his life in a stampede attack at the Maccabim checkpoint. Aged only 20, Molchanov, originally from Ukraine, had immigrated to Israel and resided in Herzliya. He served as an artillery fighter and posthumously received a promotion to the rank of sergeant.
In a heart-wrenching decision made in coordination with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Molchanov’s family concluded that their beloved son would be laid to rest in Israel. The grieving parents are embarking on a special flight to Israel, with the hope of burying their son on Sunday.
Rabbi Miriam Moskowitz, the Chabad emissary in Kharkov, was entrusted with the painful task of breaking the tragic news to Molchanov’s parents. Speaking about the difficult moment, the rabbi shared, “My husband received a call from the army about the serious attack that happened in Israel and was told that the murdered person was a resident of our city, a lone soldier named Maxim. My husband, Rabbi Moshe, was asked to take on the difficult task – and to inform the family members of the murdered man in an orderly manner, that is, through a physical meeting.”
With a funeral scheduled for another community member, Rabbi Moskowitz revealed, “We understood that the request from the IDF was urgent, and we decided that I would be the one to go to the family of the murdered man. I took another couple from the synagogue, as well as medicine, and we drove to the destination. On the way, we received organized and detailed guidance.”
Finding the house proved to be challenging, but upon arriving at the correct address, the devastating news was delivered to the grieving family. “It’s hard to describe what happened after receiving the news about the trampling attack. There were difficult moments of crying and shock. The father arrived right after, as did other family members. It was very difficult. We cried together with them for the great loss,” recalled Rabbi Moskowitz.
Molchanov’s father, Yevgeny, spoke fondly of his selfless and compassionate son. “Everything was always true with my son. He was always the first to go help others. A year ago, he donated bone marrow to a child in Germany. He was very proud that he was not just in the army, but in a combat unit. He was very special, a gentle boy, always open to everything and everyone,” Yevgeny shared with the Ynet website.
Tragically, Molchanov was not the only victim of the attack. Three other fighters were injured, one seriously and two with minor injuries. The terrorist responsible arrived at the scene in a large commercial vehicle, mowing down three young pedestrians before fleeing. After a chase that lasted a few minutes, security guards at the nearby Hasmonean checkpoint successfully eliminated the assailant.
Offering insight into the rescue efforts, MDA paramedics Shira Malka and Lehi Golan explained, “We arrived in an intensive care vehicle and immediately ran to a 20-year-old young man who was lying on the spot in a vague state of consciousness with multiple systemic injuries. We put him in an intensive care unit and began an urgent evacuation to the Shaare Zedek hospital, fighting for his life all along the way. We performed advanced and prolonged resuscitation operations, and unfortunately, when we arrived at the hospital, the doctors had to pronounce him dead.”
President Yitzhak Herzog expressed his condolences to Molchanov’s family, stating, “On behalf of the people of Israel, I send my condolences from the bottom of my heart to the family of the late Maxim Molchanov, an IDF soldier who was killed this morning in an attack at the Maccabim checkpoint. Maxim, a lone soldier who came alone from Ukraine to enlist in the IDF and fight for Israel’s security. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack and strengthen the security forces who acted quickly and decisively to eliminate the abominable terrorist.”
As the nation mourns this heartbreaking loss, they honor Sergeant Molchanov’s bravery and dedication to safeguarding Israel’s security. His sacrifice will forever be remembered.