Government gives condolences to family of Aussie man who died fighting in IDF

Health Minister Mark Butler says the government gives its deepest condolences to the family of an Australian man who died fighting in the Israeli Defence Forces. It is understood Captain Lior Sivan was killed by Hamas militants on December 19 while fighting for the IDF. “We’re trying to confirm the reports that we’ve read about this death,” Mr Butler said during a press conference on Tuesday. “An Australian man born in Australia who moved to Israel, as we understand the reports and was killed fighting as part of the Israeli Defence Forces, which is – it must be said – not against the law. “It is legal for Australians to fight as part of the formal armed forces of a foreign nation, which is – we understand – is what this young man has been doing. “I want to send our deepest condolences to his family and to his loved ones and obviously indicate that we stand ready to provide whatever consular assistance his family might need, but as I said, we’re seeking to confirm the reports that we’ve read about this death.”