In Memoriam: Hebron Terrorist Victims

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- Staff
28/08/2016

The following list is a memorial to those who were killed in terrorist attacks in the greater Hebron area and Hebron area residents killed defending the country. This list contains Jews, Christians and Muslims. Men, women, children, the elderly, and people from all walks of life have been targeted by terrorism. This list contains people born in Israel, the United States, Uruguay, France, Ukraine and many other countries. The Jewish Community of Hebron mourns both their own neighbors as well as soldiers, tourists and visitors.

May their memories be blessed and may we no longer suffer. May this list be the final version with no more victims being added to this list.

Many descriptions are from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. They are presented here as a tribute to the fallen and a respiratory for research on the history of Hebron.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/In%20Memory%20of%20the%20Victims%20of%20Palestinian%20Violence%20a.aspx

For more complete biographies on Hebron’s fallen, click here.

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Leon Holtz

4/18/5730

Leon Holtz lived in the United States and was murdered on December 27, 1969 by terrorists while traveling near Hebron.

He was 47 years old when he died and survived by his wife and child.

Israel Investigating Bus Ambush Which Cost Life of American Tourist – JTA, December 29, 1969

Israeli authorities are investigating the fatal ambush of a bus Saturday carrying American tourists. Leon Holtz, 48, of Brooklyn, was killed. The bus was returning to Jerusalem from the Negev when it was fired on near the village of Dura in the Hebron area. Holtz was rushed to Hebron where he died in an Army hospital.

Mr. Holtz was travelling with his wife, Esther. She said this was their first visit to Israel, a trip her husband had been planning for 20 years.

Israeli authorities said the attack was the first on a civilian vehicle in the Hebron area in two months. Previous attacks have been made against trucks carrying Israeli sightseers and against private automobiles. Mr. Holtz’s death was the second American fatality in Israel, due to enemy action. Last June, a California school teacher was killed in a rocket attack near the Dead Sea.

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Barbara Ertle

An American Woman is Killed and Two Wounded when Tourist Bus Ambushed by Guerrillas – JTA, February 24, 1970

An American woman was killed and two others were wounded today when Arab guerrillas ambushed a tourist bus near Hebron, about 20 miles south of Jerusalem. The victim was identified as Mrs. Barbara Ertle, 31, of Grandville, Michigan, the mother of two. Her husband, the Rev. Theodore Ertle, was sitting beside her when machine gun bullets ripped through the vehicle carrying a group of American Christian tourists. Severely injured and hospitalized were Miss Lucille Draper, 53, of Buffalo, New York and Miss Tabea D’Amico, of Atlantic City, N.J. They were taken by helicopter to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem where Miss Draper underwent surgery. She is a sister of the Rev. Irving Draper, of Alden, N.Y. leader of the ten-day “Bible Land Tour.” Zvi Greenberg, an Israeli guide, suffered slight injuries.

See also:

* Goodbye to Mother

* Torah Scroll in Memory of Rina Didovsky

* Rina Didovsky – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Eliyahu Ben Ami

3/11/5761

December 8, 2000 – Eliyahu Ben-Ami, 41, was mortally wounded when a car full of terrorists sprayed the van which he was driving near Kiryat Arba.

Ben-Ami, father of two, was mortally wounded while driving a group of teachers to work in Kiryat Arba. Terrorists attacked them in a drive-by shooting. One of the passengers, Rina Didovsky, died instantly of head wounds. Another was injured in the shooting. Ben-Ami was seriously injured in the stomach and lost control of the van, which rolled off the road. He later died of his wounds in hospital.

Eliyahu Ben-Ami leaves behind a wife, Mazal, and two daughters, Mor, 13 and Rachel, 11 years old. Ben-Ami was buried in Rehovot.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Eliyahu%20Ben-Ami.aspx

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Shalhevet Pass

March 26, 2001 – Shalhevet Pass, age 10 months, was killed by sniper fire at the entrance to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood in Hebron.

Shalhevet, seated in her stroller, was going with her parents to visit her grandparents in the Avraham Avinu neighborhood in Hebron near Shuhada Street (King David Street). A sniper opened fire from the Abu Sneneh neighborhood on the hill opposite. Shalhevet was fatally wounded by a shot to the head. Her father, Yitzhak, was moderately wounded in both legs.

Her parents, Yitzhak and Oriya, have been married for about two years. Shalhevet was their first child. Yitzhak is a yeshiva student. Oriya, who grew up in Hebron, works as a teacher’s aide in a nursery school.

The family has known terrorist attacks in the past. In November 1993, Oriya’s father was attacked and seriously injured by two axe-wielding terrorists on his way to morning prayers near the Machpela Cave. In January 1996, Oriya’s sister, Orital, then 14, was stabbed in the back by a terrorist near the Hebron market. This past March 10, Yitzhak’s brother was shot in the leg while visiting the family in Hebron.

Shalhevet was buried in the ancient Jewish cemetery in Hebron.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Shalhevet%20Tehiya%20Pass.aspx

Shalhevet-10 years later:An interview with Yitzhak Pass

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Blogs/Message.aspx/4596

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Yair Har-Sinai

11/11/5761

July 2, 2001 – The body of Yair Har Sinai, 51, of Susiya in the Hebron hills, missing since Monday (July 2) was found early Tuesday morning shot in the head and chest.

Yair Har Sinai left his home on Monday morning with his flock of sheep and was not heard from since. His body was found at 3:00 AM one kilometer southwest of his home in the Susiya community in the Har Hebron area. Investigators believe he was shot in the back and head at close range by two assailants some time after 22:00 Monday night.

Har Sinai had been a shepherd for the last 19 years and was well known to Israelis and Arabs in the area. Unarmed at the time of his murder, he did not carry a gun as a matter of principle.

Yair Har Sinai (born Essenheim) grew up on Kibbutz Kfar Yedidya in the Hefer Valley. He served in the elite IDF Shaked Unit. Later, he became religiously observant. After marrying Dalia, the couple lived for a time in Jerusalem, Beit El, and then Maon, in the southern Hebron hills. Finally, over 15 years ago, the family made their home in Susiya, about 20 minutes south of Hebron.

A neighbor described Yair Har Sinai Ya’ir as a unique figure in Susiya. He was friendly with the Arabs, he lived with nature. He didn’t want to use modern things, but rather electricity from wind-powered sources and water from a cistern; he lived in a stone house; he dressed in the way in which he felt that our ancestors dressed 2,000 years ago.

Yair Har Sinai was buried in Susiya. He is survived by his wife, Dalia, and their nine children. His oldest daughter, 21 years old, is married. His oldest son is serving in the military. His youngest son is 18 months old.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Yair%20Har%20Sinai.aspx

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Yehezkel “Hezi” Ariel Mualem

11/22/5761

From the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Yehezkel%20-Hezi-%20Mualem.aspx

July 13, 2001 – Yehezkel “Hezi” Mualem, 49, of Kiryat Arba, was shot and killed between Kiryat Arba and Hebron while protesting a shooting attack in the area the previous day.

On July 12, the town council held a meeting at the western gate of Kiryat Arba, site of that morning’s terrorist attack in which David Cohen was shot in the head and very critically wounded. Following the meeting, some of those attending decided to examine the escape route used by the terrorists, bordering the old entrance to the Givat Harsina neighborhood of Kiryat Arba. They were attacked by gunfire. Hezi Mualem was hit by bullets in the lower back, and another man was wounded in both legs.

Hezi Mualem died of his injuries the following morning.

Hezi Mualem, a well-known figure in Kiryat Arba, was a member of the town council and the construction manager for the Kiryat Arba Development Company. He was also a registered ambulance driver. He lived in Kiryat Arba with his family for over 20 years. He served as a tank commander in the IDF, and was injured during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Yehezkel Mualem was buried in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife and four children.

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David Cohen

11/23/5761

July 14, 2001 – David Cohen, 28, of Betar Illit, died of injuries sustained in a drive-by shooting in Kiryat Arba on July 12th.

At about 11:30 Thursday morning (July 12), four terrorists shot at their vehicle outside the western gate of Kiryat Arba, leading to Hebron. David Cohen, the driver of the van, was shot in the head and was taken to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem in extremely critical condition.

David Cohen was a building contractor whose latest building project was a new Bnei Akiva children’s youth center in the Givat Harsina neighborhood of Kiryat Arba. He was planning to move with his family to Kiryat Arba.

David Cohen was buried in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife and two children.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/David%20Cohen.aspx

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Yigal German

12/24/5761

IDF Corporal Yigal German born in Ukraine. In 1998 he immigrated to Israel and studied in Yeshivat Kiryat Arba. He fell on August 13, 2001 at the age of 21.

Yigal (Igor) German born on June 11, 1980 into a family of educators. His father Eugene graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education university as a coach. His mother worked as a lecturer in mathematics.

He was educated in classical music, opera and ballet.

In the early ’90s, when Ukraine became an independent state, people started exploring thier roots. This was also the awakening of Jewish identity in the community. Children became interested in Jewish heritage and the Jewish Agency arranged classes and field trips. Yigal asked to move to a Jewish school after tenth grade where he began to study Hebrew and Jewish tradition.

He was accepted to university, but knew sought to immigrate to Israel, applying to a Jewish Agency program. He excelled at studies at Yeshivat Kiryat Arba. He fell while serving his country.

(Translated from Russian from a special memorial booklet)

http://www.beithatothan.org.il/node/385

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Avihai Levy

June 24, 2005

Avihai Levy and Aviad Mansour were killed In the fourth shooting attack in the West Bank this past week. Judea Brigade Commander Col. Moti Baruch said that the terrorists who carried the latest shooting attack took advantage of the recent easing of restrictions on movement for Palestinian Authority residents into Israel proper in the southern Mount Hebron area.

June 24, 2005 – Avihai Levy, 17, of Beit Hagai was killed in a drive-by terrorist shooting at a hitchhiking stop about 200 meters from the entrance to Beit Hagai, south of Hebron.

Avihai Levy, along with several other teenagers, was waiting for a lift at about 16:45 Friday afternoon at the hitchhiking stop near Beit Hagai. Avihai was on his way to Beersheba, where he was a counselor of a Bnei Akiva youth group. Three or four terrorists riding in a car saw them standing at the hitchhiking station, and initially drove by before making a U-turn and heading back in their direction. As Amir Azulai and his wife, also from Beit Hagai, stopped to offer the boys a lift, the terrorists opened fire. Avihai was pronounced dead at the scene. Aviad Mansour, fatally wounded, died on June 26. Another teenager, along with the Azulais, was wounded. The Islamic Jihad and Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Judea Brigade Commander Colonel Moti Baruch said that the terrorists who carried the latest shooting attack took advantage of the recent easing of restrictions on Palestinian Authority population movement in the southern Mount Hebron area.

Avihai, who had lived in Bet Hagai with his family for many years, was a student at the Kiryat Arba High School yeshiva. His friend, Avner Lior, related that he was good at basketball and a computer whiz. He also practiced judo, and had won several medals in competition. Yair Lior, the spokesman for Beit Hagai, described him as a happy, friendly boy who was full of life.

Avihai Levy was buried in the Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Yehiel and Hava, and four younger siblings aged 4 to 14: Elyasaf, Yahel, Liam and Ahinoam.

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Avihai%20Lev…

The popular singer/songwriter Udi Davidi composed a song in his memory at the request of his father, who suggested a positive, upbeat song to reflect Avichai’s personality.

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Rabbi Yosef Ya’akov Dikstein

July 26, 2002 – Rabbi Yosef Ya’akov Dikstein (also spelled Dickstein or Dikshtein), 45, of Psagot, his wife Hannah and their 9-year-old son Shuv’el Zion were killed in a shooting attack south of Hebron. Two other children were injured.

At least two Palestinian terrorists waited by the side of the road near Yatta, south of Hebron, to ambush an Israeli car. Elazar Liebowitz was driving newlyweds Neria and Sara Ben-Yitzhak to Tel Rumeida in Hebron. When they reached the Zeif intersection terrorists opened fire on them, fatally wounding Elazar. The Dikstein family, on their way to Maon in the southern Hebron area to spend Shabbat with friends, approached from the opposite direction. Rabbi Yosef Dikstein was killed along with his wife Hannah and their 9-year-old son Shuv’el Zion. Their 12-year-old son, Shlomo, was moderately wounded by a bullet in the shoulder, 2-year-old Adiel was lightly injured.

Ayelet Hashahar, who was in the car, related how the terrorists opened fire, killing her mother and brother Shuv’el. When the firing stopped, her father got out of the car crying. On the other side of the road was an armed man. Yosef thought it was a soldier who had come to help. He tried to talk to him, but the man loaded his rifle and fired, killing him.

Rabbi Yosef Dikstein and his wife Hannah moved to their new home in the community of Psagot in Samaria about eight months ago. They previously lived in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem, where Rabbi Dikstein taught in the Netiv Meir Yeshiva. They were longtime affiliates of the Mercaz HaRav Kook Yeshiva community in Jerusalem.

Yosef and Hannah were devoted to their ten children, aged 2 to 20, and particularly to their education, devoting special attention to each one of them. A family friend, Hannah Diamant, described them as an optimistic and happy couple.

Zvi Yehuda, their eldest son, named after Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Hacohen Kook, told of growing up as children in a home steeped in ideology, a home where his parents gave up their own personal dreams for those of their children, and vowed to follow in their footsteps.

Rabbi Yosef Dikstein was buried in Psagot along with his wife Hannah and son Shuv’el. He leaves behind nine children: Zvi Yehuda (20), Zofia (19), Ayelet Hashahar (17), Moshe Yedidya (16), Renana (14), Shlomo (12), Benaya (7), Shir-el (4), and Adiel (2).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Rabbi%20Yosef%20Ya-akov%20Dikstein.aspx

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Chana Dikstein

12/17/5762

July 26, 2002 – Hannah Dikstein, 42, of Psagot, her husband Yosef and their 9-year-old son Shuv’el Zion were killed in a shooting attack south of Hebron. Two other children were injured.

At least two terrorists waited by the side of the road near Yatta, south of Hebron, to ambush an Israeli car. Elazar Leibowitz was driving newlyweds Neria and Sara Ben-Yitzhak to the Admot Yishai neighborhood in Hebron. When they reached the Zeif intersection terrorists opened fire on them, fatally wounding Elazar. The Dikstein family, on their way to Maon in the southern Hebron area to spend Shabbat with friends, approached from the opposite direction. Hannah Dikstein was killed along with her husband Yosef and their 9-year-old son Shuv’el Zion. Their 12-year-old son, Shlomo, was moderately wounded by a bullet in the shoulder, and 2-year-old Adiel was lightly injured.

Rabbi Yosef Ya’akov Dikstein and his wife Hannah moved to their new home in the community of Psagot in Samaria about eight months ago. They previously lived in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem, where Rabbi Dikstein taught in the Netiv Meir Yeshiva. Hannah taught in Bayit Vegan College in Jerusalem and the Evelina De Rothchild Girls’ High School, as well as teaching computers in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood. The couple were longtime affiliates of the Mercaz HaRav Kook Yeshiva community in Jerusalem.

Zvi Yehuda, their eldest son, told of growing up as children in a home steeped in ideology, a home where his parents gave up their own personal dreams for those of their children, and vowed to follow in their footsteps.

Hannah Dikstein was buried in Psagot along with her husband Yosef and son Shuv’el. She leaves behind nine children: Zvi Yehuda (20), Zofia (19), Ayelet Hashahar (17), MosheYedidya (16), Renana (14), Shlomo (12), Benaya (7), Shir-el (4), and Adiel (2).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Hannah%20Dikstein.aspx

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Shuvael Zion Dickstein

12/17/5762

July 26, 2002 – Shuv’el Zion Dikstein, 9, of Psagot, was killed in a shooting attack south of Hebron along with his parents Yosef and Hannah. Two of his brothers were injured.

At least two terrorists waited by the side of the road near Yatta, south of Hebron, to ambush an Israeli car. Elazar Leibowitz was driving newlyweds Neria and Sara Ben-Yitzhak to Tel Rumeida in Hebron. When they reached the Zeif intersection terrorists opened fire on them, fatally wounding Elazar. The Dikstein family, on their way to Maon in the southern Hebron area to spend Shabbat with friends, approached from the opposite direction. YShuv’el Zion was killed along with his parents, Yosef and Hannah. His 12-year-old brother, Shlomo, was moderately wounded by a bullet in the shoulder, and 2-year-old Adiel was lightly injured.

Rabbi Yosef Dikstein and his wife Hannah moved with their ten children to their new home in the community of Psagot in Samaria about eight months ago. They previously lived in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Shuv’el Zion was a happy child who was to have entered 4th grade soon. He did not attend school in Psagot because there is no youth movement in the community, but everyone there knew him.

Zvi Yehuda, their eldest brother, recalled that his brother was a good friend to his siblings. He eulogized his young brother Shuv’el as a “pure child who never hurt anyone. You were smart, you loved to read. You were killed while you were reading and your head fell into the book.”

Shuv’el Zion Dikstein was buried in Psagot along with his parents, Yosef and Hannah. He is survived by nine brothers and sisters: Zvi Yehuda (20), Zofia (19), Ayelet Hashahar (17), Moshe Yedidya (16), Renana (14), Shlomo (12), Benaya (7), Shir-el (4), and Adiel (2).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Shuv-el%20Zion%20Dikstein.aspx

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Staff Sergeant Shamai Elazar Lebovitch

12/17/5762

Staff Seargent Elazar Lebovitch (sometimes spelled Leibowitz or Leibovitz) of Hebron, was killed in 2002 protecting a family driving home who was ambushed by terrorists on the road. He was driving newlyweds Neria and Sara Ben-Yitzhak to the Admot Yishai neighborhood in Hebron to celebrate their first Shabbat together with Neria’s parents. When they reached the Zeif intersection terrorists opened fire on them, fatally wounding Elazar. The Dikstein family car approached from the opposite direction; three members of the family were killed and two were injured.

St.-Sgt. Elazar Lebovitch, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, served in the Nahal Brigade. He was the fifth child of Yossi and Etta Lebovitch, veteran residents of the Avraham Avinu neighborhood in Hebron. Orit Struck, a resident of Hebron, described Elazar as full of life, an idealist who volunteered for every task. Several years ago his brother Yedidia was wounded in a stabbing in the Hebron market.

A few months ago, due to the widespread shooting attacks and bombings throughout the country, Elazar had prepared a will that included instructions for his funeral, who should eulogize him and how he was to be buried.

St.-Sgt. Elazar Lebovitch was buried in the old Jewish cemetery in Hebron, near the graves of the victims of the 1929 Hebron massacre. A music concert took place in his memory and a CD entitled Songs Elazar Loved was released including well-known musicians, several from the area such as Ehud Banai, Shivi Keller, Sinai Tor, Aaron Razel, Shlomo Carlebach and others.

David Wilder, veteran spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron stated, “I asked Elazar’s father, Yossi, why the family chose this way to commemorate Elazar’s death. He told me, Elazar left a will, asking that at his funeral people should not mourn, rather they should sing and be happy. This led to the production of a special music CD, released earlier this year, full of songs that Elazar loved. Now we are trying to continue his legacy. It is not necessarily easy for us. We want the event to be suitable, not just a songfest get-together. But, with G-d’s help, it will work out the way we want, and the way Elazar would have wanted.”

FURTHER READING:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/god-and-love-and-rock-n-ro…

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/01/opinion/in-hebron-death-and-life.html

http://www.hebron.com/english/article.php?id=683

http://www.izkor.gov.il/HalalKorot.aspx?id=516398

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBVW4PTUWVM

http://www.haaretz.com/slain-soldier-was-always-ready-to-help-1.38548

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/2611

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/27711

http://davidwilder.blogspot.com/2003/08/sing-we-will.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ery1LFMjiwA

http://jewishmusic.fm/frame.php?url=/album/%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9…

http://www.shaveihevron.org/show_item.asp?itemId=39943&levelId=61953&ite…

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Rabbi Shlomo Yizchak Shapira

1/17/5763

Sept 23, 2002 – Shlomo Yitzhak Shapira, 48, of Jerusalem was killed and three of his children wounded, one seriously, in a shooting attack near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron during the Sukkot festival.

Shlomo Shapira had come to Hebron with his three sons to celebrate the Sukkot festival and to pray at the Machpela Cave. His wife and daughter decided at the last minute not to accompany them. Gunmen opened fire at the family as they walked down Shuhada Street (King David Street) towards Hebron’s Avraham Avinu neighborhood early Monday evening.

The attackers then escaped into the nearby market. This eventually led to the closing of the market, a haven for terrorists. Today a plaque, stone memorial and large colorful mezuzah mark the Shapira Gate, a now quiet street where the incident happened.

Shapira, mortally wounded, died shortly after arriving at Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem. The youngest boy, aged 9, Yehoshua (Shuki), was seriously wounded. Pinhas, 12, and Yehuda, 18, were lightly wounded.

The Shapiras, lived in the Ramot neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shlomo studied at the Ponovezh Yeshiva for many years. A few years after he married, he left the yeshiva to work as a computer programmer at the Ministry of Housing. The couple has seven children. Sarah, 20, was to be married in two weeks.

Shlomo Yitzhak Shapira was buried at midnight at Jerusalem’s Har Hamenuhot Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Rivka, five sons and two daughters.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Shlomo%20Yitzhak%20Shapira.aspx

For more information read:

Reaction to terror in Hebron: Never Give Up by David Wilder

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Salem Zaid al-Kimlat

4/10/5765

Dec 21, 2004 – Salem (Sami) al-Kimlat, 28, an Israeli of Bedouin ethnicity from the town of Rahat who worked as security guard was shot and killed by terrorists.

Close to 2 p.m., Sami al-Kamlat was guarding near a parking lot for the heavy mechanical vehicles used in the construction work when a terrorist approached him. The terrorist attempted to snatch Kamlat’s weapon. Kamlat resisted and a second terrorist from a nearby field joined the attack. Kamlat was shot and killed. While the Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, two Islamic Jihad members were subsequently arrested and confessed to the murder.

Investigators believe one of the terrorists purposely engaged him in a verbal argument to distract him, creating an opportunity to grab his weapon, fire the fatal shots and flee.

Kamlat served in the IDF as an officer for over six years. After completing his service three years ago, he found work as a security guard. He left behind a wife.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Salem%20…

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Kochava Even Chaim

13/22/5770

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Kochava_Even_Chaim.aspx

Aug 31, 2010 – Kochava Even Chaim, 37, of Beit Hagai, was one of four Israelis murdered in a terrorist drive-by shooting attack on Route 60 near Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kochava Even Chaim caught a lift with Yitzhak and Talya Ames when their vehicle was attacked by terrorists who sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. All four passengers of the vehicle were hit by numerous shots from short range and pronounced dead at the scene.

Kochava was a teacher in Efrat. Her husband Maimon, one of the first Zaka first aid volunteers to arrive at the scene, discovered that his wife was among the victims.

Meir Damari, a resident of Beit Hagai said, “Only after many years of trying did Kochava manage to get pregnant and bring a child into the world. Now she is left without a mother,” he said sadly.

Kochava Even Chaim was buried in Ashdod. She is survived by her husband and their 10-year-old daughter.

A Mother Remembers Kochava Even Chaim

http://voices-magazine.blogspot.co.il/2010/09/mother-remembers-kochava-even-chaim.html

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

One of our blog’s readers remembers her children’s teacher Kochava Even Chaim, who was brutally gunned down by Arab terrorists last week near Beit Chaggai. ( http://voices-magazine.blogspot.co.il/2010/09/nadia-matars-letter-7-jewish-orphans.html)

Kochava Even Chaim, Hashem yikom dama, was my son’s ganenet (preschool teacher) two years ago. Working in the gan tikshoret (communication preschool) with Autism Spectrum Disorder kids, is not an easy job. But Kochava made the 45 minute trip every morning and greeted them with a huge smile and the patience of a malach (angel). As anyone who knows ASD kids can imagine, the daily schedule in a gan tikshoret is of supreme importance. Sticking to it can make the difference between a somewhat calm and smooth day for the kids, or a day when the kids all melt down together because of lack of routine. When i started to take my son out on a regular basis to attend a therapy that he needed to receive outside of gan, he was missing kochava’s weekly parshat shavua time slot. After a week or so, Kochava informed me that she was changing the entire schedule (a major thing in a gan tikshoret) to enable my son to be present for parshat shavua. ‘He loves learning torah so much, it would be a shame for him to miss it’, she informed me.You can read another mothers words here:

http://jpundit.typepad.com/jci/2010/09/an-entire-world-murdered-four-times.html

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Alexander Zwitman

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Alexander Zwitman, 26, of Kiryat Arba, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Zwitman, an immigrant from Ukraine, worked during the day as a member of the Kiryat Arba security unit and was a volunteer member of the community’s emergency response team. He was killed with two other members of the team when they responded to the sounds of fighting and went to help and to rescue wounded.

Zwitman, his wife, Leda, their parents and son, Eyal, five, were celebrating Leda’s birthday when the attack began. “He kissed me and told me how much he loved me,” said Leda. “I went to bring something from the kitchen and returned to see he had already left, and I understood he had gone to the incident.” Half an hour later, three men appeared with the news of his death.

Alexander Zwitman is survived by his parents, his wife, Leda, and son, Eyal, five. He was buried with two other members of his team in a military ceremony at Har Hamenuhot Cemetery in Jerusalem.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Alexander%20Zwitman.aspx

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Netanel Machluf

3/11/5763

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/St-Sgt%20Netanel%20Machluf.aspx

November 15, 2002 – Border Police St.-Sgt. Netanel Machluf, 19, of Hadera, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

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Samih Sweidan

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Border Police Chief-Superintendent Samih Sweidan, 31, of Arab al-Aramsha, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Sweidan was the operations officer of Hebron’s Border Police unit and took command of the battle until he was killed counterattacking the terrorists shortly after the firing began.

Sweidan served in the paratroops and took an officer’s course before joining the Border Police. His company commander, Sudki Dabor, said Sweidan was a brave soldier who took part in many battles and was wounded in one, but recuperated and returned to the front line. “He didn’t know the meaning of fear. No one in the village knew of his prowess — he used to take his uniform off when he came home.” He was a role model for his men, Dabor added.

Ch.-Supt. Samih Sweidan was buried at the Arab al-Aramsha Military Cemetery. He is survived by his father, six brothers and sisters, wife Ruhiya, and sons Salman, four, and Imran, two.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Ch-Supt%20Samih%20Sweidan.aspx

See also: Hebron Mourns Locals Who Fell in Battle

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Danny Cohen

3/11/5763

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Lt%20Dan%20Cohen.aspx

Nov 15, 2002 – Lt. Dan Cohen, 22, of Jerusalem, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Cohen and his troops, who were stationed outside Hebron, arrived in the city after the battle began to help evacuate the wounded. He was shot and killed while directing his armored personnel carrier to assist a group of soldiers pinned down by sniper fire.

Dan, who was named for an uncle killed in the Yom Kippur War, graduated from yeshiva high school in Efrat and the religious kibbutz yeshiva at Ein Zurim. He joined the Nahal, where was a platoon commander, and was due to be discharged in August.

“Dani was an officer who truly and simply just loved his soldiers,” recalled his commander, Lt.-Col. Eran Niv. “He told me, ‘I don’t want to be a company commander; I want to stay close to my troops.’ “

His father, Yehuda, said: “Dani was a wonderful boy, very sensitive, a boy who always loved to help. Such a serious and high quality boy has come to his end and we return him to his Creator.”

Lt. Dan Cohen is survived by his parents, Yehuda and Nava, and older sisters, Meirav and Ronit. He was buried at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery.

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Shaked Avraham

1/1/5764

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Shaked%20Avraham.aspx

Sept 26, 2003 – Shaked Avraham, seven months, of Negohot, south of Hebron, was killed during the holiday meal on the eve of Rosh Hashana when a terrorist who infiltrated the settlement opened fire with an M-16 assault rifle.

The terrorist infiltrated the settlement in the southern Hebron hills at around 9:00 P.M., through an area not enclosed by a fence. Armed with an M-16 assault rifle, he knocked on the door of the Yeberbaum caravan home on the edge of the settlement, where the couple was having the Rosh Hashana meal with guests. Eyal Yeberbaum, armed with a pistol, went to the door and was shot by the terrorist. Though mortally wounded, he managed to close the door. The terrorist continued to spray the caravan from outside with automatic fire, killing seven-month-old baby girl Shaked Avraham and lightly wounding two others, before he was killed by IDF reservists. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, carried out by a terrorist released from Israeli prison just two months ago.

Shaked, the only child of Shai and Shira Avraham, had just started to crawl. She was fatally shot while seated in her swing. Her father Shai, an ambulance volunteer driver, tried in vain to save her. Shai and Shira, who had met while traveling in India, were married three years ago and settled in Negohot. Shira is a kindergarten teacher and Shai works in high-tech.

Shai recalled how Shaked had been dressed up for a recent family occasion carrying an Israeli flag, and how none of the family knew that this was to be her farewell. Zvi Barchan, head of the Hebron Hills Regional Council, expressed the hope that a children’s center currently being built at Negohot will be inaugurated one year from now in Shaked’s name.

Shaked Avraham was buried in Kfar Haroeh, a moshav northeast of Netanya where her mother grew up. She is survived by her parents, Shai and Shira.

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Corporal Tzvi (Enrico) Gelbard

10/19/5742

Corporal Tzvi (Enrico) Gelbard was born in Uruguay and immigrated to Israel where he studied at Yeshivat Nir in Kiryat Arba.

Tzvi fell on Thursday 06/10/1982 in the first Lebanon War, when his tank was hit near Lake Qaraoun in Lebanon.

He was 25 years old when he died and was survived by his wife, two children, parents and siblings.

For a full bio visit:

Izkor Soldados Latinos – Remembrance of Latin American soldiers

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Yitzchak Boanish

3/11/5763

46-year-old Yitzhak Boanish was a married father of five and served as Kiryat Arba’s security officer for 12 years. He set up emergency response units in dozens of neighboring communities. He was killed on 15/11/2002.

http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/TerrorInjured/Pages/Yitzhak%20Boanish.aspx

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Yitzhak Ames

13/22/5770

Aug 31, 2010 – Yitzhak Ames, 47, of Beit Hagai, was one of four Israelis murdered in a terrorist drive-by shooting attack on Route 60 near Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yitzhak Ames was driving with his wife Talya and two other passengers when their vehicle was attacked by terrorists who sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. All four were hit by numerous shots from short range.

Yitzhak and Talya Ames immigrated to Israel from Russia. Yitzhak was a tour guide who accompanied groups to the Temple Mount area every Wednesday.

A friend and neighbor of the family, Yehuda Glick, related: “They came to Israel, to Gush Etzion, in 1991, with a sense of national mission for the Jewish people… They were gentle, regal people… He was a man of letters, though he also worked with his hands, gardening and the like. In recent years, Yitzhak dedicated much time to the Temple Mount, studying by heart all the relevant works in the Mishna and the Rambam.” Sixteen-year-old Ariel related that his father would rummage in old book stores and come home with treasures.

Thirteen years ago, they decided to move to the small community of Beit Hagai in the Hebron hills, where they raised their six children. Talya and Yitzhak raised their children with joy and modesty,” residents of Beit Hagai said. “They had quit a few difficulties in their life, but they overcame it all.” Daniel, the eldest, was married and the father of the couple’s first grandchild. Talya Ames was nine months pregnant when she was killed by the terrorists. The children had made their parents a surprise party just two weeks earlier to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Yitzhak and Talya Ames were buried in the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem. They are survived by their six children – Daniel, 24, Ruth, 19, Ariel, 16, Ruhama, 12, Hodaya, 9, and Oz-David, 5.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Yitzhak_Imes.aspx

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Talya Natalya Ames

13/22/5770

From Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Talya_Imes.aspx

Aug 31, 2010 – Talya Ames (also spelled Aimes), 45, of Beit Hagai, was one of four Israelis murdered in a terrorist drive-by shooting attack on Route 60 near Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Talya Ames was driving with her husband Yitzhak and two other passengers when their vehicle was attacked by terrorists who sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. All four were hit by numerous shots from short range and pronounced dead at the scene.

Yitzhak and Talya Ames immigrated to Israel from Russia. Tali worked as an account manager in various offices in the area.

A friend and neighbor of the family, Yehuda Glick, related: “They came to Israel, to Gush Etzion, in 1991, with a sense of national mission for the Jewish people… They were gentle, regal people.” Sixteen-year-old Ariel related that his mother always thought of others first.

Thirteen years ago, they decided to move to the small community of Beit Hagai in the Hebron hills, where they raised their six children. Talya and Yitzhak raised their children with joy and modesty,” residents of Beit Hagai said. “They had quit a few difficulties in their life, but they overcame it all.” Daniel, the eldest, was married and the father of the couple’s first grandchild. Talya Ames was nine months pregnant when she was killed by the terrorists. The children had made their parents a surprise party just two weeks earlier to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Yitzhak and Talya Ames were buried in the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem. They are survived by their six children – Daniel, 24, Ruth, 19, Ariel, 16, Ruhama, 12, Hodaya, 9, and Oz-David, 5.

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Dror Weinberg

3/11/5763

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Col%20Dror%20Weinberg.aspx

Nov 15, 2002 – Col. Dror Weinberg, 38, of Jerusalem’s Kiryat Moshe neighborhood, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Weinberg, who commanded the Hebron Brigade, was an outstanding field officer and was slated to become commander of the Paratroop Brigade. He is the most senior IDF officer killed in the intifada to date.

Weinberg was mortally wounded while leading his troops, who arrived at the scene of the attack a short time after the first shots were fired. He died in the field despite efforts to resuscitate him.

Most of Weinberg’s military service was in the Paratroop Brigade and the elite General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, where he was a team commander. He also commanded a paratroop battalion, an elite Maglan unit, and a reserve brigade. He was appointed commander of the Hebron Brigade last year.

OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky said that Weinberg had served in a number of senior field positions “and all of them with excellence and in a way that so characterized him: determination, absolute faith in the justice of his cause, leadership ability, and remarkable self-control especially in difficult and developing situations — and with all this, with a wonderful sensitivity for human life and feelings. In a symbolic way, he was killed directly defending what he so much believed in: providing security for the Jewish residents of this region, just as in any other place where he was responsible.”

Col. Dror Weinberg was buried in the Kfar Sava Military Cemetery. He is survived by his pregnant wife, Hadassah, and five children: a son Yoav, 14, daughter Yael, 11, and sons Eitan, eight, Yishai, five, and Uri, three. Hadassh gave birth to a baby boy in April: “This is the special gift Dror has left me,” she said.

For more see: A Field of Life by David Wilder

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Yeshayahu Davidov

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Border Police St.-Sgt. Yeshayahu Davidov, 20, of Netanya, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

A medic in the Border Police’s Hebron battalion, Davidov was killed while trying to treat and extricate the wounded.

Davidov immigrated with his family from Azerbaijan in 1990 and settled in Netanya. He graduated high school with distinction and volunteered to perform his compulsory service in the Border Police. “He really loved the Border Police and was addicted to serving in the territories,” said a cousin, Matityahu Ya’acobov. He was due to be discharged in six months and intended to study law.

St.-Sgt. Yeshayahu Davidov is survived by his parents, Moshe and Sonya, a sister, 21, and brother, 11. He was buried in the Netanya Military Cemetery.

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Avishai Yitzchak Shindler

13/22/5770

Aug 31, 2010 – Avishai Shindler, 24, of Beit Hagai, was one of four Israelis murdered in a terrorist drive-by shooting attack on Route 60 near Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Avishai Shindler caught a lift with Yitzhak and Talya Ames when their vehicle was attacked by terrorists who sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. All four passengers of the vehicle were hit by numerous shots from short range.

Avishai, who recently completed his studies at the Shavei Hebron Yeshiva, had only recently moved to Beit Hagai with his wife Moriah after their marriage a year ago. “He and his wife quickly integrated in life in the community here. Avishai was always full of energy and joy,” Meir Damari, a resident of Beit Hagai said.

Avishai Shindler was buried in the Segula cemetery in Petah Tikva. He is survived by his wife Moriah.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Avishai_Shindler.aspx

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Gad Rahamim

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Border Police Sgt. Gad Rahamim, 19, of Kiryat Malachi, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Rahamim was killed while trying to extract a wounded comrade from the line of fire. “He had rescued one soldier when he was hit,” said an uncle, Eli Garby. “Despite his wound, he volunteered to rescue his operations officer, who was wounded in the second volley. His comrades tried to keep him from going there, but he insisted and was killed in a burst of fire.”

Rahamim had received a certificate of recognition just four months before for helping to capture the second most wanted terrorist in Hebron. He had served in the Border Police for 15 months. “He was a faithful ambassador for the Border Police in Kiryat Malachi and recruited a lot of youths,” said Garby.

“He was not afraid of anything,” said best friend Effi Elian. Rahamim had joined the Border Police 14 months before after graduating from Kiryat Malachi’s comprehensive religious high school. Elian saw him for the last time a week ago. “He was a quiet guy, a serious, intelligent, giving man,” he said. “He persuaded me to join the army even though I didn’t want to.”

Sgt. Gad Rahamim is survived by his parents, Tzila and Rahamim, a sister Liat, 17, and two brothers, Nir, 12, and Avi, five. He was buried at the Kiryat Malachi Military Cemetery.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Sgt%20Gad%20Rahamim.aspx

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David Marcus

3/11/5763

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/St-Sgt%20David%20Marcus.aspx

15 Nov 2002

St.-Sgt. David Marcus

Nov 15, 2002 – St.-Sgt. David Marcus, 20, of Ma’aleh Adumim, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Marcus served in the Nahal and was one of three soldiers killed in the first burst of fire by the terrorists, who were disguised as Jewish worshipers.

Marcus immigrated from Russia six years ago with his father, Immanuel, and brother, Vitali, who is a warrant officer in the Armored Corps. The family lives in Ma’ale Adumim, but Marcus’s mother, Frieda, remained in Russia.

Vitali related: “David would tell me every day on the phone that everything was alright and that the settlers gave them fruit and drinks and that the whole sector was quiet. But I never believed him. I always knew that he was in danger, but he didn’t talk about it with us so we wouldn’t worry.

St.-Sgt. David Marcus is survived by his parents, Immanuel and Frieda, and brother, Vitali. He was buried at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery.

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Gadi Levy

9/16/5763

May 17, 2003 – Gadi Levy, 31, and his wife Dina, of Kiryat Arba were killed by a suicide bomber in Hebron.

Gadi and Dina Levy were walking on Shuhada Street (King David Street) near Gross Square in Hebron at about 7:20pm on Saturday evening when a suicide bomber wearing a white shirt like that of a yeshiva student came from the direction of the Abu Sneineh neighborhood. Nahal Brigade soldiers at a nearby position who were alerted by his behavior called out to him to stop. The bomber ignored their calls and detonated the bomb near the first people he encountered – the Levys.

Gadi died at the scene. Dina died shortly after arriving at Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem. The terrorist, who was killed in the explosion, was identified as Fuad al-Kawasma, a member of Hamas.

Gadi and Dina Levy were married about 18 months ago and settled in Kiryat Arba. Gadi, who previously lived in Tel Aviv, was working at the Kiryat Arba supermarket.

Rafael Avitan, Gadi’s boss at the supermarket, said, “We all attended their wedding at the Jerusalem Rabbinate and celebrated. Gadi was a special person, very dedicated to his wife and mother and always willing to help anyone who needed assistance. He was a very special person, he wanted so much to be a father. He loved children.”

Gadi Levy was buried in Holon.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Gadi%20Levy.aspx

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Eyal Yehoshua Yeberbaum

1/1/5764

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Eyal%20Yeberbaum.aspx

Sept 26, 2003 – Eyal Yeberbaum, 27, of Negohot, south of Hebron, was killed in his home during the holiday meal on the eve of Rosh Hashana when a terrorist who infiltrated the settlement opened fire with an M-16 assault rifle.

The terrorist infiltrated the settlement in the southern Hebron hills at around 9:00 P.M., through an area not enclosed by a fence. Armed with an M-16 assault rifle, he knocked on the door of the Yeberbaum caravan home on the edge of the settlement, where the couple was having the Rosh Hashana meal with guests. Eyal, armed with a pistol, went to the door and was shot by the terrorist. Though mortally wounded, he managed to close the door. The terrorist continued to spray the caravan from outside with automatic fire, killing seven-month-old Shaked Avraham and lightly wounding two others, before he was killed by IDF reservists. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, carried out by a terrorist released from Israeli prison just two months ago.

Eyal Yeberbaum attended the yeshiva high school in Efrat and went on to complete his army service in the artillery, combining military service with study at the Otniel hesder yeshiva. He and his fellow students at Otniel were among the founders of Negohot. Last year he married Sarah Rosenberg; they had no children. Eyal worked at a Discount Bank branch in Kiryat Gat and was a student at the Ahva regional college.

Eyal Yeberbaum was buried in Rehovot. He is survived by his wife Sarah, and his parents, David and Shoshana.

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Gal Kobi

1/19/5774

Sept 22, 2013 – St.-Sgt. Maj. Gal (Gabriel) Kobi, 20, of Tirat Carmel, was killed when he was shot in the neck at a checkpoint near Hebron’s Cave of Patriarchs.

Gal Kobi of the Givat Brigade was shot and killed by a sniper at a checkpoint near the Cave of Patriarchs in the city of Hebron. The shooting occurred in the midst of violent riots in which Palestinian Authority residents targeted Jews who were gathered to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at the holy site. The soldiers had beenstationed in Hebron during the Sukkot holiday to protect them. Shot in the neck, Kobi was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where doctors tried to revive him.

A neighbor described him as smart and witty. His high school principal, Irit Zelig, said that Gal was a lovely boy, well-liked by all, who achieved high grades. In becoming a combat soldier, he served as an example to his fellow classmates. “He brought honor to the school and to the town,” she said.

St.-Sgt. Maj. Gal (Gabriel) Kobi was buried in the Haifa military cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Ovad and Smadar, and two younger brothers.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Gal-Kobi.aspx

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Yaakov David Litman

3/1/5776

Nov 13, 2015 – Rabbi Ya’akov Litman, 40, of Kiryat Arba and his son Netanel were killed in a shooting attack while driving on Route 60 near Otniel, south of Hebron.

On Friday afternoon, Rabbi Ya’akov Litman was traveling with his wife Noa and six of their children were on their way to a Shabbat pre-celebration (“Shabbat Hatan”) in honor of the upcoming wedding of his eldest daughter, Sarah-Tehiya, scheduled for the coming Tuesday. His son Netanel was driving the car. When he slowed down at a curve, a terrorist opened fire. Ya’akov was apparently struck first and mortally wounded. Netanel was shot while calling for help. Both died at the scene. His wife and three daughters were lightly wounded by shrapnel and the resulting crash. Dvir, 16, was shot in the leg.

Rabbi Litman was a first grade teacher in Kiryat Arba as well as at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva High School. Malakhi Levinger, head of the Kiryat Arba/Hevron Regional Council, described him as “one of the most dedicated teachers in our city – a teacher who provided the children of Kiryat Arba/Hevron with Torah and knowledge on a variety of subjects, and more than anything did everything with benevolence and a constant smile that infused much good into all those around him.”

Rabbi Ya’akov Litman was buried in the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife Noa, his son Dvir (16), and daughters Sarah-Tehiya (21), Moriah (12), Tehila (9) and Aviya (6).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Rabbi-Yaakov-Litman.aspx

Thousands of strangers from all over the world joined the friends and surviving family members at the wedding of Ariel Bigel and Sarah-Tehiya Litman on November 26th, 2015. The wedding was postponed due to the attack. The bride and her family announced that they would like to invite “everyone” to the celebration. For a full report including video click here: Thousands Worldwide Attend Special Wedding

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Netanel Chai Litman

3/1/5776

Nov 13, 2015 – Netanel Litman, 18, of Kiryat Arba, and his father Rabbi Ya’akov Litman, 40, were killed in a shooting attack while driving on Route 60 near Otniel, south of Hebron.

On Friday afternoon, the Litman family was traveling to a Shabbat pre-celebration (“Shabbat Hatan”) in honor of the upcoming wedding of the eldest daughter, Sarah-Tehiya, scheduled for the coming Tuesday. Netanel was driving the car. When he slowed down at a curve, a terrorist opened fire. Ya’akov was apparently struck first and mortally wounded. Netanel was shot while calling for help. Both died at the scene. His mother and three sisters were lightly wounded by shrapnel and the resulting crash. Dvir, 16, was shot in the leg.

Netanel, who aspired to be a doctor, had volunteered for the Magen David Adom emergency service in his spare time from the age of 15 – both in Kiryat Arba and at the Jerusalem station, located near the yeshiva where he studied. “I will always remember Netanel’s smile,” said Avishai Shapiro, a member of the Youth MDA in Jerusalem who knew him well.

“There was always smile on the face of Nathanael. “He always wanted to help everybody, and always did it with a huge smile. Just a week ago he had treated someone wounded in an attack at the Tomb of the Patriarchs and even in the attack in which he was brutally murdered he was the first to report.”

Netanel Litman was buried in the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his mother Noa, his brother Dvir (16), and sisters Sarah-Tehiya (21), Moriah (12), Tehila (9) and Aviya (6).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Netanel-Litman.aspx

Thousands of strangers from all over the world joined the friends and surviving family members at the wedding of Ariel Bigel and Sarah-Tehiya Litman on November 26th, 2015. The wedding was postponed due to the attack. The bride and her family announced that they would like to invite “everyone” to the celebration. For a full report including video click here: Thousands Worldwide Attend Special Wedding

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Genadi Kaufman

4/18/5776

41-year-old Genadi Kaufman worked in landscaping and maintenance at the Tomb of Machpela. He made aliyah from the Ukraine approximately 21 years ago. In addition to his wife and son, he leaves behind as 7-year-old daughter.

Kaufman was critically wounded in a terrorist stabbing attack near the Tomb of Machpela on December 7th.

His funeral was also attended by public officials, including Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel.

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Aviad Yehuda Mansour

10/19/5765

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Aviad%20Mansour.aspx

June 26, 2005 – Aviad Mansour, 16, of Otniel died of wounds suffered in a drive-by terrorist shooting on June 24 at a hitchhiking stop about 200 meters from the entrance to Beit Hagai, south of Hebron.

Aviad Mansour, along with several other teenagers, was waiting for a lift at about 4:45pm Friday afternoon at the hitchhiking stop near Beit Hagai. Aviad was on his way home to Otniel. Three or four terrorists riding in a car saw them standing at the hitchhiking station, and initially drove by before making a U-turn and heading back in their direction. As Amir Azulai and his wife from Beit Hagai stopped to offer the boys a lift, the terrorists opened fire. Aviad Mansour, fatally wounded, died on June 26. Another teenager along with the Azulais was wounded. The Islamic Jihad and Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Judea Brigade Commander Colonel Moti Baruch said that the terrorists who carried the latest shooting attack took advantage of the recent easing of restrictions on movement for Palestinian Authority residents in the southern Mount Hebron area.

Aviad managed to call his parents after the attack and tell them what had happened, but took many shots to his lower body. Rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital where he underwent surgery, he succumbed to his wounds almost two days later.

The oldest of five children, Aviad was the son of Neria Mansour, a rabbi at the hesder yeshiva in Otniel. The Mansour home has in recent years served as a open house for bereaved families of terror victims.

Aviad had just completed tenth grade at the Susiya yeshiva high school. He was a counselor of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in Otniel. A local resident, Yehudah Glick, described him as warm and loving. On Wednesday Aviad went to Beersheba to buy a huge an anniversary cake for his parents, decorated with a picture of the family, and saying: “A remembrance from the children. Congratulations to Mom and Dad.” The cake, which was to be eaten on Shabbat, remained untouched. Aviad had worked actively in recent weeks against the removal of settlements in Gush Katif and northern Samaria.

Aviad Mansour was buried in the Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Neria and Eva, and four younger siblings – Yishai, Merom, Tal and Noam.

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Asher Hillel Palmer

13/24/5771

Sept 23, 2011 – Asher Palmer, 25 and his 1-year-old son, Yonatan, of Kiryat Arba, were killed when their car overturned on Route 60 near Hebron, after being struck by stones.

While driving with his infant son on their way to Jerusalem to spend Shabbat with his wife’s parents, Asher’s car was struck by rocks, apparently thrown from a passing vehicle. One of the rocks went through the front windshield, striking him in the head and causing the car to veer of the road and flip over. Father and son were killed in the crash.

“It was clearly a terrorist attack. Asher’s gun had been stolen, there were rocks inside the vehicle and it was clear Asher was hit by a rock,” Palmer’s family said after police informed them of their conclusion that the incident was in fact the result of a terror attack.

Asher’s parents, Moshe and Molly, immigrated to Israel about 30 years ago, wanting to bring up their children in a Jewish atmosphere.

Aharon Peretz said of his brother-in-law Asher, “He never fought with anyone. He was a quiet and special man and this is a great loss.” Asher had completed his service in the Israel Navy several months ago and had begun to study engineering in Jerusalem.

Asher Palmer and his son Yonatan were buried in the Hebron cemetery. He is survived by his wife Puah and his parents.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Asher_Palmer.aspx

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Yonatan Palmer

13/24/5771

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Yonatan_Palmer.aspx

Sept 23, 2011 – Yonatan Palmer, age 1, of Kiryat Arba, was killed when the car driven by his father Asher was struck by stones and overturned on Route 60 near Hebron.

While driving to Jerusalem with his infant son, Asher’s car was struck by rocks, apparently thrown from a passing vehicle. One of the rocks went through the front windshield, striking him in the head and causing the car to veer of the road and flip over. Father and son were killed in the crash.

“It was clearly a terrorist attack. Asher’s gun had been stolen, there were rocks inside the vehicle and it was clear Asher was hit by a rock,” Palmer’s family said after police informed them of their conclusion that the incident was in fact the result of a terror attack.

Asher’s brother-in-law, Aharon Peretz said, “Yonatan, my nephew, was the most beautiful child in the world, with amazing blue eyes. People used to stop me in the street and say what a little angel your sister has, with eyes as blue as the heavens, a baby that at only 10 months old started to walk.”

Yonatan was killed just days before his first birthday. His mother, a nurse in Shaarei Zedek hospital, worked the night shift on Thursday, and when she completed her shift bought him a blue car in the hospital gift shop. The unopened gift remains in her parents’ home in Jerusalem, where Asher and Yonatan were expected to join them for Shabbat.

Yonatan Palmer was buried with his father Asher in the Hebron cemetery. He is survived by his mother Puah.

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Tomer Nov

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Border Police Sgt. Tomer Nov, 19, of Ashdod, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Nov was conscripted eight months before and chose to do his compulsory service in the Border Police. He was killed by a burst of fire when he left his jeep to return fire.

His elder brother, Guy, 31, said he had wanted to serve in the Border Police since he was 16 and looked forward to a career in the police. “He wanted to be a lawman, that was his dream. If you called and asked him for help, he would come to help immediately, even if he didn’t know you. When he came home on leave once every three weeks, he’d ask me for NIS 20 to go out with, then use the money to put gas in our father’s car.”

His girlfriend for the past four years, Inbal Shtar, a border policewoman, said: “When he finished school, he simply insisted on doing combat service, even though he had asthma.”

Sgt. Tomer Nov was buried in the military section of the Ashdod Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Lea and Moshe, his brother Guy, and sister Limor, 28.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Sgt%20Tomer%20Nov.aspx

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Yosef “Yossi” Shok

3/15/5766

Dec 16, 2005 – Yosef (Yossi) Shok, 35, of Beit Hagai was killed in a shooting attack while driving home in the southern Hebron hills. The Islamic Jihad and Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed joint responsibility for the attack.

Shortly after 12:30 on Friday afternoon, Yossi Shok was returning home, along with two sisters, Efrat and Anat Sofer, also residents of Beit Hagai, to whom he offered a lift home from Kiryat Arba. Terrorists opened fire from a passing vehicle as they drove south. Yossi was shot in the head and died en route to hospital. The two sisters, who were in the back seat, were treated for shock.

Born in Netanya, Yossi Shok moved to Beit Hagai 10 years ago, soon after his wedding. He worked as a building engineer at the Kiryat Arba Development Company in Hebron. He was also a member of Beit Hagai’s local council and leader of its emergency ready team. “He was the best there was,” said Shok friend and Beit Hagai spokesman Yair Lior. “He was a loving husband and father.”

Yosef Shok was buried in Hebron. He is survived by his wife, Sagit, and five children, aged 9, 7, 5, 4, and one month.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Yossi%20Shok.aspx

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Elnatan Eli Horowitz

7/4/5763

Mar 7, 2003 – Rabbi Eli (Elnatan) Horowitz, 52, and his wife Dina, of Kiryat Arba, were killed when armed terrorists infiltrated Kiryat Arba and murdered them in their home while they were celebrating the Sabbath.

The terrorists, dressed as religious Jews, entered the couple’s home at 8:45 P.M., in the midst of the family’s Shabbat Eve celebration, and opened fire, killing husband and wife. Five others were wounded before the intruders were killed by IDF troops. An explosive belt was found on the body of one of the terrorists.

Eli was born in Kfar Haroeh, where his father, Moshe Horowitz, served as community rabbi. When he was several months old, his family moved to the United States. He grew up in Silver Springs, Maryland, until returning to Israel at age 15 and settling at Kibbutz Hulata. When he was 18 he volunteered for the paratroops.

After being raised in a religious home, Eli underwent a period of secular rebellion upon his return to Israel. Returning to the fold of religious observance as a young adult, he studied at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem where he met and married his wife Dina. He moved with his family to Kiryat Arba 19 years ago.

Rabbi Eli Horowitz was known as a moderate who condemned acts of violence by Arabs or Jews. At the time of his murder he taught at Shavei Hevron, Midreshet Harova in Jerusalem’s Old City, Mitzpeh Ramon, and Netzarim in Gush Katif. He was also a skilled amateur carpenter.

Alex Frank, a member of the Kiryat Arba Local Council, said of Horowitz that, “I considered him an authority, despite the fact that I’m not religious. I knew I had someone to go to… They were a couple who tried to bridge the gaps between all the parts of this splintered nation.”

Eli and Dina Horowitz were buried in Jerusalem. They leave four children – Batsheva, 30, Zvi, 26, Nehama, 22, and Shulamit, 20 – and several grandchildren.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Eli%20Horowitz.aspx

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Dina Debby Horowitz

7/4/5763

Mar 7, 2003 – Dina Horowitz, 50, and her husband Eli, of Kiryat Arba, were killed when armed terrorists infiltrated Kiryat Arba and murdered them in their home while they were celebrating the Sabbath.

The terrorists, dressed as religious Jews, entered the couple’s home at 8:45 P.M., in the midst of the family’s Shabbat Eve celebration, and opened fire, killing husband and wife. Five others were wounded before the intruders were killed by IDF troops. An explosive belt was found on the body of one of the terrorists.

Dina, born Debbie Wolf in Florida, grew up in Silver Springs, Maryland, and was a graduate of the Hebrew Academy and the Yeshiva High School of Greater Washington, DC. She came to Israel at the age of 18 to study, and met and married Eli Horowitz 29 years ago. They settled in Kiryat Arba 19 years ago. Dina taught at the Kiryat Arba Ulpana Girls High School and at Midreshet Harova in Jerusalem’s Old City. She also performed and taught piano.

Elisheva Harrow, a former student, described her teacher: “I don’t know how many of you have been taught by an amazing person before. How many had the privilege of knowing a real, passionate, gentle, loving teacher. In Hebrew, the word ‘Morah’ means teacher and guide – someone who shows you the way, who gives you love and encouragement, helping you make your own way in this complicated world. Dina was my ‘Morah’. She loved all her students so very much, always believed in us and in our abilities. She never gave up on us, always tried to listen and to do her best to help…”

Alex Frank, a member of the Kiryat Arba Local Council, said of Dina Horowitz: “My wife, Mariana, became a Jew because of Dina. She guided her on the subject of conversion and they practically adopted us as a family. They were an ideal family. Their approach to Judaism was moderate. They were a couple who tried to bridge the gaps between all the parts of this splintered nation.”

Dina and Eli Horowitz were buried in Jerusalem. They leave four children – Batsheva, 30, Zvi, 26, Nehama, 22, and Shulamit, 20 – and several grandchildren.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Dina%20Horowitz.aspx

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Oded Wolk

2/3/5763

Oct 9, 2002 – Oded Wolk, 51, of Modi’in, who was critically wounded in an ambush shooting south of Hebron on October 8, died of his wounds the following day. Hamas claimed resopnsibility for the attack.

Oded Wolk, a tour guide with the Jewish National Fund for 20 years, had lived in Modi’in for several years after separating from his wife. He was on his way home from Arad and decided to go via Hebron. Friends said Wolk “had an encyclopedic knowledge of the land” and had never had any qualms about traveling in the territories. Oded hitched a ride together with two women with Eliezer Halfon, a local contractor. Gunmen opened fire on their car near the Zif junction, south of Hebron. The driver, who was seriously wounded, lost control of the car, which continued for 250 meters until it veered off the road into an olive grove. Oded, who was shot in the head, died of his injuries the following day. The two women were also injured.

According to his girlfriend, Tiki Naveh, Wolk always said he felt safe in the territories, “because people are good.” He dreamed of the day when Jews and Arabs would live together in peace. Four years ago he was interviewed by CNN for a report on Israel’s 50th anniversary. He said, “I hope Jerusalem will become the peace capital of the world. Jerusalem is a city to which people come from all over the world: Muslims, Jews and Christians. They will all live together and the city will become a symbol of world peace.” His family donated his organs for transplant.

Oded Wolk was buried in the Hod Hasharon cemetery. He is survived by two sons – Dvir (27) and Omri (17) – and a daughter, Moran (23).

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Oded%20Wolk.aspx

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Sgt. Igor Drobitsky

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Sgt. Igor Drobitsky, 20, of Nahariya, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Drobitsky served as a medic in the Nahal Brigade in Hebron and died trying to treat and evacuate his wounded comrades.

He immigrated to Israel with his parents, Genadi and Eva, in 1996 from Birobidjan, Russia, and settled in Nahariya. After graduating from the naval academy in Acre and training as a medic, Drobitsky was posted to Hebron a week before the ambush.

“He loved looking after people and planned to become a qualified nurse after the army,” said a friend, Danny Slutzky. He also played the guitar and loved jazz.

Drobitsky was concerned that his mother would worry, and so told her that he served in a base near Tel Aviv. “Igor was a true patriot, and felt that his serving in Hebron would protect the country,” said his brother, Roman, 27. “I’ve lost a dear, beloved brother and a good and pure man.”

Sgt. Igor Drobitsky is survived by his parents and brother. He was buried in the Nahariya Military Cemetery.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Sgt%20Igor%20Drobitsky.aspx

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Dina Levy

9/16/5763

May 17, 2003 – Dina (Muriel) Levy, 37, and her husband Gadi, of Kiryat Arba were killed by a suicide bomber in Hebron.

Gadi and Dina Levy were walking on Shuhada Street (King David Street) near Gross Square in Hebron at about 7:20pm on Saturday evening when a suicide bomber wearing a white shirt like that of a yeshiva student came from the direction of the Abu Sneineh neighborhood. Nahal Brigade soldiers at a nearby position who were alerted by his behavior called out to him to stop. The bomber ignored their calls and detonated the bomb near the first people he encountered – the Levys.

Gadi died at the scene. Dina died shortly after arriving at Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem. The terrorist, who was killed in the explosion, was identified as Fuad al-Kawasma, a member of Hamas.

Gadi and Dina Levy were married about 18 months ago and settled in Kiryat Arba.

Dina Levy was buried in Jerusalem. She is survived by her two children, aged 10 and 11.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Dina%20-Muriel-%20Levy.aspx

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Major Benaya Sarel

12/5/5774

August 01, 2014

Benaya Sarel was a native of Kiryat Arba, the close-by sister city of Hebron. He was one of the many soldiers killed defending Israel against the missile attacks from Gaza during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. His unit was ambushed during what was supposed to be a ceasefire with Hamas, killing him along with Second Lt. Hadar Goldin of Kfar Saba, and Staff Sgt. Liel Gidoni of Jerusalem. He was scheduled to me married that week.

An August 21, 2014 article in the Times of Israel stated, “Following his death, Sarel’s friends contacted Carmei Ha’Ir, a non-profit organization that helps those unable to provide for themselves, and offered to donate all the gifts that they were going to give to the couple to the organization instead. In addition, the group arranged to have a “wedding feast” for needy people at the headquarters of the Jerusalem-based organization that provides a daily free dinner for those who are unable to feed themselves. The tables in the dining room were laid out with a festive spread and a poster explained that the meal was in honor of a fallen IDF soldier in place of his wedding banquet. ‘On a day that joy turned to sorrow. The sound of cheering turned to grief’, the poster read. In this act of kindness find comfort.”

Earlier this year, local high school students from Kirayt Arba and Hebron have formed what they called Sayeret Benaya, or “Benaya Patrol” named for Benaya Sarel. While soldiers stationed in the Hebron and Kiryat Arba area are on patrol against terrorists, the teenagers are on patrol delivering drinks and snacks to them. Members of the general public have joined the Benaya Patrol as well.

The project builds a relationship between high school students who will soon be inducted into army service and active duty soldiers.

FURTHER READING:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/needy-treated-to-feast-in-memory-of-fallen-soldier/

http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/TerrorInjured/Pages/vicMAJORBENAYASAREL.aspx

http://en.hebron.org.il/news/359

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQx8jnHezNM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp5xMXkfhtM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nk-AxnBsYE

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Maor Kalfon

4/8/5763

Dec 12, 2002 – Sgt. Maor Kalfon, 19, of Kiryat Yam was one of two soldiers killed while on guard near the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

At about 8 P.M. the soldiers from the Sahleb unit of the Military Police were guarding a position near the Tomb of the Patriarchs. Two terrorists opened fire at very close range, leaving them no chance to return fire. Cpl. Keren Ya’akobi was killed instantly; Sgt. Maor Kalfon died shortly afterwards.

Maor began his army service last February and insisted on serving in a frontline unit. He had volunteered to the Military Police Sahleb unit, despite his low profile. Although he was given the option of beginning officers’ training, he preferred to remain with the unit to complete his combat training.

The youngest of five children, Maor majored in biology at the Rodman High School. He didn’t want his parents to worry and only disclosed to his brother Ehud that he was doing combat service. “He was never afraid,” Ehud said Friday. “He especially loved being in the field. He was sometimes stationed inside an army camp, but he was happiest out in the field. He loved his company and his comrades.”

Sgt. Maor Kalfon was buried in the military section in the Tzur Shalom cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Menashe and Pnina, and four siblings – Meirav, Shoshi, Mordechai and Ehud.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Sgt%20Maor%20Kalfon.aspx

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Patrick Peretz Pereg

8/22/5762

Apr 4, 2002 – Border Police Supt. Patrick Pereg, 30, of Rosh Ha’ayin, head of operations in an undercover unit, was killed while attempting to arrest a wanted member of Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.

Members of the undercover unit approached a house in Hebron where a weapons merchant responsible for supplying much of the weaponry used by terrorists during terrorist attacks in Israel and his brother were holed up. Security forces surrounded the house and called for the men to surrender. Shots from within the house mortally injured Patrick. After a gun battle of several hours, security forces entered the house to find that the terrorist had fled, leaving behind his wounded brother.

Patrick was one of the founders of his unit, established in 1992. He participated in many operations, including the storming of the house occupied by terrorists in Elon Moreh on May 28, 2002. He was the pride of the family,” said his brother-in-law, “at the Passover seder he told me ‘I am willing to die for the country.'” The police commander of the Southern District described Patrick as “an excellent fighter and professional, he was highly motivated and endangered himself in operations which cannot yet be revealed. A great loss.”

Border Police Supt. Patrick Pereg was buried in Ofakim. He is survived by his mother, his wife Ella and a 10-month infant son Eli.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Border%20Police%20Supt%20Patrick%20Pereg.aspx

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Avi Sabag

8/12/5762

Mar 24, 2002 – Avi Sabag, 24, of Otniel was killed in a terrorist shooting south of Hebron.

Avi Sabag was driving towards Beit Haggai in the southern Har Hebron area returning home from shopping for Passover in Jerusalem. At least one terrorist opened fire on his vehicle from an ambush near the village of Fawar south of Hebron. Sabag was shot in the neck and died soon afterwards.

Sabag grew up in Kiryat Ata. He attended high school at Kfar Haroeh and later studied at the Otniel hesder yeshiva. He served as a combat medic in the army.

Avi had married his wife Dafna just six months ago, and they decided to make their home in Otniel. He taught Gemara at Meitar while continuing his yeshiva studies in Otniel, and also coordinated the “big brother” Perach project in the area.

Avi Sabag was buried in Jerusalem.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Avi%20Sabag.aspx

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Alexander Dohan

3/11/5763

Nov 15, 2002 – Alexander Dohan, 33, of Kiryat Arba, was one of 12 people killed — nine soldiers and three civilians from the Kiryat Arba emergency response team — and 15 wounded in Hebron when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at a group of Jewish worshipers and their guards as they were walking home from Sabbath Eve prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

The security personnel returned fire and pursued the attackers in a battle lasting some 90 minutes. Three terrorists were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad.

Dohan left his home with his colleagues in the emergency response team as soon as they heard shooting. After they reached the scene of the attack, Dohan managed to evacuate some of the wounded before he was shot and killed.

“He was always ready for any action,” recalled a neighbor whose husband was a fellow response team member. “He volunteered and even when he wasn’t on duty he carried his weapon so as to be ready for any eventuality. That was just his mentality — Alex was a man who loved to help; a man with a special integrity, who didn’t like to hurt anyone and was as straight as an arrow.”

Dohan immigrated from France 16 years ago and moved to Kiryat Arba 10 years ago with his wife, Rivka. The two had four children. He worked as a computer programmer until the recession forced him to work full time in security.

Alexander Dohan is survived by his wife, Rivka, and sons Yehuda, eight, Eliahu, six, and Yohai, five, and daughter, Tehila, three. He was buried with two other members of his team in a military ceremony at Har Hamenuhot Cemetery in Jerusalem.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Alexander%20Dohan.aspx

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Netanel Ozeri

5/15/5763

Jan 17, 2003 – Netanel Ozeri, 34, was killed when terrorists entered his home near Kiryat Arba, just after the Friday night Shabbat meal and opened fire. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

At about 7:30 P.M. two terrorists arrived at his home and opened fire, shooting him in the chest. Netanel friends, who had been invited for dinner, shot back at the terrorists, killing one of them. The second, who fled the scene wounded, was later killed by IDF forces. Ozeri’s 5-year-old daughter Herut and the two friends were wounded in the fire.

Netanal Ozeri was buried in the old Jewish cemetery in Hebron. He is survived by his parents, his wife Livnat and their five children, ranging in age from 1 ½ to 11: Navit, David, Herut, Yehonatan and Yehuda, the youngest.

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Abraham Asher Hasno

2/7/5776

Oct 20, 2015 – Avraham Asher Hasno, 54, of Kiryat Arba was run over and killed by truck after his vehicle was stoned by terrorists.

Avraham Hasno was returning home from Otniel where he was in charge of the yeshiva high school kitchen. Terrorists blocked the highway with burning tires and pelted his car with stones, causing him to stop on the side of the road and exit his vehicle. He was then hit by the truck and fatally wounded. MDA paramedics attempted to resuscitate Hasano in preparation for evacuation by helicopter, but he died at the scene.

Residents of Kiryat Arba described Hasno as a God-fearing social activist who was loved by all. “With a perpetual smile and zest for life he led Torah classes throughout the year and especially during the summer and holidays, all free of charge and on a voluntary basis,” they recalled.

Avraham Hasno was buried in Kiryat Arba. He is survived by his wife Ruth, seven children and nine grandchildren.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Avraham-Hasno.aspx

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Michael Feige

June 8, 2016 – Dr. Michael Feige, 58, from Midreshet Ben Gurion, was one of four victims of the terrorist attack that took place in the Sarona Market complex in Tel Aviv.

Loved by all who knew him, he is survived by his wife Nurit and three children.

Dr. Michael Feige was a sociologist and anthropologist at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He reserached Hebron and visited the city many times. Noam Arnon, the spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron stated, “he interviewed me many times and mentioned me in his books. He did not hold our opinions, but he was a fair man and nice guy and I’m very sorry that he was killed.” The terrorists came from near-by Yatta. For full article click here: Was the Now Violent Mahamra Clan of Yatta Once Jewish?

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Hallel Yaffa Ariel

June 30, 2016 – Hallel Yaffa Ariel (13) of Kiriat Arba, was murdered in her bed when a 17-year-old terrorist infiltrated her home and stabbed her to death in her bed while she slept.

Hallel had attended a dance recital in Jerusalem the previous evening and had returned home late. She was in the 8th grade and attended the middle school in Kiryat Arba, and is survived by her parents and two younger sisters.

Hallel was laid to rest in the Hebron cemetery.

http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Hallel-Yaffa-Ariel.aspx

For more click here:

* Friday Shooting Attack and Stabbing Attempt Shock Hebron

* A Tale of Two Funerals

* Daughter of Terror Victim Visits Mother of 13-Year Old

* An End to Chaos

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Michael “Miki” Mark

July 1, 2016 – Rabbi Michael “Miki” Mark, 48, a father of 10 and the director-general of the Otniel Yeshiva, was killed by a terrorist as he drove on Route 60 in the South Hebron Hills near the Aduraim Junction.

The rain of bullets against the vehicle Rabbi Mark was driving caused it to overturn. His wife and two of his children, ages 14 and 15, who were with him in the car at the time, were also wounded in the incident.

Aduraim Junction is located about 15 kilometers from Kiryat Arba, where on the previous day (Thursday, 30 June 2016) a terrorist infiltrated the home of 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel, and stabbed her to death while she was asleep in her bed.

Rabbi Michael “Miki” Mark was laid to rest on Sunday July 3, 2016 at Har Hamenuhot cemetery in Jerusalem.

http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Victims/Pages/Michael-Mark.aspx

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October 30, 2022 – Ronen Hanania, 50, was shot and killed by a terrorist while shopping at a grocery store on the outskirts of Kiryat Arba near Hebron. Others wounded in the attack include Hanania’s son Daniel and Ofer Ohana (Ofer Ben Tova) a medic in Hebron for over 30 years who rushed to the scene to treat the wounded.

Full story here.

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For more complete biographies on Hebron’s fallen, click here.

To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact us:

United States contact info:

http://www.hebronfund.org

1760 Ocean Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11230

718-677-6886

info@hebronfund.org

In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:

http://en.hebron.org.il/

02-996-5333

office@hebron.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial

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* In Memoriam: Full List of the Victims the 1929 Hebron Massacre

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