During a tour of duty in Samaria, Lior Zavrag, a reservist officer in the Samaria Regional Brigade, discovered an ancient coin from the time of Herod, dated to more than 2,000 years ago. The find was uncovered near the entrance to the Sebastia National Park, at a site where archaeological excavations are being carried out as part of the national park rehabilitation program.
Zavrag described the emotional impact of his discovery. "There are small moments in reserve duty when you realize how alive and breathing the history here is." He emphasized how the experience strengthens the connection between the present and the past, especially in a place that was the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.
Field officials note that this is a particularly symbolic discovery, since kings and biblical figures passed through this gate. "To think that through this very gate passed Omri, Herod and, of course, Elijah and Elisha, and now we are returning to preserve, to dig and to reopen the capital of the Kingdom of Israel," Zavrag said.
Zavrag added that the connection between the past and the future is felt especially strongly in the IDF. "This is the moment where the history and the future of Samria meet. It is moving to be part of this story."