He was 42 years old at the time of his death.
Son of Yehudit and Daniel Yosef, and brother to Eilat, Avital, Amichai, and Tzofiya.
Born in Jerusalem.
Yehonatan was married to Yiska, and together they raised six children — Shira, Uri,
Naama, Benaya, Shila, and Achiya.
He served in the IDF as a highly respected officer, rising to the rank of Colonel.
In his final position, he commanded the Nahal Brigade.
When the brutal terrorist attack began on October 7th, Yehonatan left his home to
join his soldiers in the Gaza Envelope.
Near Magen Junction, he encountered a Hamas terrorist squad and was killed in
battle, fighting courageously and with endless devotion – alone, and with
unwavering determination.
Yehonatan was an admired commander- a humble man, a devoted family man, a
lover of Torah, and a man of integrity.
His conduct was always guided by faith and purpose – in prayer, in study, in his
gentle manner of speech, and in his ability to distinguish between the essential and
the trivial, the sacred and the ordinary.
He was a student of Rabbi Moshe Levi, head of the Herzliya Yeshiva.
His sister Tzofiya shared that Yehonatan’s life motto was:
“There’s a mission – someone needs my help – I’m there. I’ll do it. No questions
asked, no hesitation. And I bring with me joy and lightness.”