Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the Ramon family and to Assaf's colleagues, friends and compatriots."Our heart breaks for Rona Ramon, Assaf's siblings, and the whole Ramon family," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday evening, in his first public statement on the death of IAF officer Lt. Assaf Ramon, who was killed on Sunday after the F-16 he was piloting crashed into the southern Hebron hills.
"However, we must continue to build our strength, while extending our hand to peace," Barak said, during a joint press conference with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell.
Deputy commander of the IAF, Brig.-Gen. Yohanan Locker, also expressed sadness and offered condolences on the death of Ramon.
"This is a very difficult day for the IAF especially considering that this is the second time the Ramon family has been struck by a tragedy," said Locker said at a Tel Aviv press conference.
"The Ramon family lost Ilan, the first Israeli astronaut and his son Assaf - both exemplary officers and role models for many people in Israel."
Too horrible
Almost too much to bear.
