Sgt. Ben Koavni of Hadera, who was killed in action in Gaza Wednesday, was called up to serve in August of 2005 and insisted on serving in the Golani Brigade. When his commanders in BAKUM, the base in which fresh recruits are first assembled, told him he would be stationed elsewhere, he refused to leave the base.

He was court-martialled, spent several days in military jail and was released from service. Several months later he re-enlisted and this time, his dream came true – he reached Golani.

Eyal Engelister, a childhood friend, told Ma'ariv-NRG that Ben was his family's breadwinner. "Whenever he came back from the army he would take off the uniform and go straight to work," he said. "He didn't care about nightlife, just army and work. Even last Sunday he worked [in a Hadera meat deli] from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.. He always had a smile on his face."

Sgt. Koavni is survived by a sister, 27 years old, a brother, 17, and his parents.