“I want to channel the loss into something positive, into a place of being worthy, to carry forward their path,” Eisenkot said at the ceremony.
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar!) on Sunday called for a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, as he marked two years since his son, Gal, was killed in battle in Gaza.
Gal, 25, fell in 2023 in the northern Gaza Strip along with his close friend Eyal Meir Berkowitz, 28, during a military operation.
An innovation center was inaugurated at the Sheba Medical Center in its cardiology division in memory of the two soldiers on Sunday.
Eisenkot has spoken about how the loss of his son has fueled his determination to work toward repairing the country. In September, he launched a new political party ahead of the next national elections, currently slated for October 2026.
“I want to channel the loss into something positive, into a place of being worthy, to carry forward their path,” Eisenkot said at the ceremony.
Former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot marks two years since the loss of his son, Gal, on Sunday December 7, 2025. (credit: OFFICE OF GADI EISENKOT )
“To give proper and good meaning for my children and grandchildren, and for everyone in this country who wants to live in an exemplary state,” he said.
Investigating the truth
Eisenkot stressed at the inauguration the urgency of establishing a state commission into the government’s handling of the October 7 massacre in 2023, to “investigate the truth and prevent a recurrence.”
“This is not the time to seek agreements at any price,” he said. “This is the time to reach decisions on several essential issues for Israel’s future, even if these decisions are very difficult, but they will represent the needs of the serving majority.”
Despite broad public support and persistent demands by victims’ families, a state inquiry into the failures surrounding October 7 has repeatedly been blocked by the political echelon.
Last month, the government instead approved the formation of an independent ministerial committee to conduct the probe, drawing sharp criticism from legal experts and opposition figures who warned it could create a conflict of interest.
Eisenkot also reflected on the positive aspects of the next generation.
“If there is any comfort in these two years, it is in seeing an excellent young generation, which Eyal and Gal represent,” he said.
“Since October 7, I have taken it upon myself to read everything written about the fallen and to listen to the eulogies, even when I return home late at night,” he said.
The innovation division at Sheba is expected to operate as a shared workspace for startup companies, focusing on developing medical devices and data- and AI-based technologies in collaboration with medical teams from Sheba’s cardiology center.