Two Americans who were soldiers for the Israel Defense Force were killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Stuart Steinberg confirmed the death of his 24-year-old son Max Steinberg to The Associated Press on Sunday. Steinberg, whose family lives in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley, was a sharpshooter for the Golani Brigade and was one of 13 men killed in fighting Saturday.

Earlier Sunday, the IDF said in a statement that 21-year-old Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip. Deputy Consul General Maya Kadosh says Carmeli was from South Padre Island, Texas.

Steinberg was living in Beersheba, Israel. He attended Pierce College and El Camino Real High School in Southern California. After visiting Israel, he decided to return and join the IDF in December 2012.