William M. Welch

USA TODAY

Two Americans are among the Israeli soldiers reported killed in Gaza during weekend fighting.

Jewish websites in the United States identified them as Max Steinberg, 24, of Los Angeles and Sean Carmeli, 21, of South Padre Island, Texas. Both reportedly held U.S. and Israeli dual citizenship.

The Jewish Journal said Steinberg, from the Woodland Hills area of the San Fernando Valley, volunteered in the Israel Defense Forces in December 2012. His Facebook page said he was a sniper with the Golani Brigade.

Chabad.org reported that Carmeli was a sergeant in the Golani Brigade and among 13 who died in Gaza City fighting. He had moved to Israel with his parents as a teen and completed high school there, it said.

"Sean was a gentle kind boy," said Rabbi Asher Hecht, director of Chabad of the Rio Grande Valley. "He was the oldest of the local boys in our camp and was a sweet and kind example to everyone else."

The Israeli Consulate in Houston confirmed Carmeli's death. It identified him as Nissim Sean Carmeli.

Deputy Consul General Maya Kadosh said Carmeli moved to Israel four years ago.

Contributing: Donna Leinwand Leger in Washington, D.C.; Associated Press