The Israeli Consulate in Houston says an Israeli-American citizen from Texas has been killed during fighting in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement Sunday saying 21-year-old Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip.
Deputy Consul General to the Southwest Maya Kadosh said Carmeli was from South Padre Island and moved to Israel four year ago. Kadosh said the consulate helped Carmeli's family get a flight to Israel.
Carmeli was among 13 Israeli soldiers and 65 Palestinians killed Sunday during the first major ground battle in two weeks of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Rabbi Asher Hect of Chabad of the Rio Grande Valley is a longtime family friend. He said Carmeli joined the Israeli Army after high school.
