Bereaved Parents

Bereaved fathers to Netanyahu

“Authorize full Israeli control over Areas A & B now"

Eliav Libi and Yehoshua Sherman, who lost their sons in combat in Gaza and in a terror attack, demand that the cabinet advance control over Areas A and B.

Former Fire and Rescue Service commissioner joins politics

Former Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Dedi Simchi, whose son Guy fell in battle on October 7, announces decision to join politics, run in upcoming elections.

Commando's Parents:

'He asked for help but no one answered'

A Knesset subcommittee chaired by MK Elazar Stern reviewed a committee's findings and the status of their implementation regarding discharged soldiers and reservists who took their own lives.

Special 60 Minutes interview

'The pain is constant': Hersh's mother speaks

When Hamas abducted her son Hersh, Rachel Goldberg-Polin became the face of the hostage crisis in Israel. Since his murder, she says she has learned that the constant pain of grief is a 'badge of love.' "60 Minutes" is the m

Parents reveal:

Oriya fell in attempt to rescue Bibas family

Parents of fallen soldier SSGT Oriya Ayimalk Goshen reveal to Arutz Sheva that their son fell in Operation Red Heart, which aimed to rescue the Bibas family from captivity in Gaza.

Bereavement:

Impact of bereavement on work: new survey finds higher stress

A 2025 survey shows bereaved workers face higher stress, turnover, and safety risks, though some find strength in work.

Moving:

Baby named after soldier who jumped on grenade

The baby, son of Harel and Avigail Freilich, was named Matan-Chaim in thanks to God for the birth and in memory of fallen soldier Natan Abergil.

Auschwitz:

Captivity survivors, bereaved father light memorial torches

Captivity survivors and a bereaved father join Holocaust survivor in torch-lighting ceremony at Auschwitz, reflecting on loss, faith, and resilience.

Bereaved father's response to loss - a new party

Actor and Rabbi Hagai Luber, whose son Yonatan was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, spoke with Arutz Sheva about his personal loss, the debate over so-called 'Jewish terror,' and a new political party he is working to establish.

Ori Greenberg's father

'A truly special child who excelled in everything he did'

Yaron Greenberg, whose son Staff Sergeant Ori Greenberg was killed in action in Lebanon, spoke about his son’s vision: 'That there be unity among the people of Israel, closeness of hearts, and brotherly love.'

Mother Of Fallen Soldier:

'We came to be part of history'

Dr. Hanna Katan sat down with Sharon Lowenstern, the mother of fallen IDF soldier Elisha Lowenstern, to reflect on her son’s life, values and legacy.

'There was an enormous blast, the massive explosion'

Yitzhak Biton, father of three young siblings murdered in a Beit Shemesh missile strike, says he was at home when the missile hit, describes 'massive explosion.'

Three Years Later:

Roadside memorial for brothers murdered in Huwara

Three years after the attack that shocked the country, today their parents, family members, public figures and hundreds gathered at the site of the killing of Hallel and Yigal Yaniv in Huwara.

Bereaved Father:

'Judge Kabub must be killed!'

A bereaved father denounced the security considerations keeping some information classified and called for the death of a Supreme Court judge.

Mother Of Fallen Soldier:

'I'm not angry - at the soldier or the army'

Hadas, the mother of Sgt. Ofri Yafe, a soldier in the Paratroopers reconnaissance unit who was killed in crossfire during an operation in Khan Yunis, spoke about a message she received from one of her son’s comrades apologizing for his fate.

Bereaved Mother:

'May all your colleagues end up on a gallows'

A bereaved mother addressed Arab opposition members present in a committee meeting today, accusing them of supporting terror and denying the massacre.

Bereaved father

'Not all returned from Gaza, my son’s head is still there'

Nirel Zini was brutally murdered on 10/7 and buried without his head. His father, Amir, only discovered this after persistent efforts and began a personal mission to locate parts of his son's body.

At police ceremony

Ran's father over his casket: 'Proud of you my son'

Itzik, the father of the last hostage to be returned from Gaza, parted from him at a police ceremony upon his return.

Heartbreaking Farewell:

'How do you eulogize a baby?'

The mother of six-month-old Aharon said farewell in a handwritten eulogy she shared online, "How in God's name does one eulogize a baby?"

'Justice For Rafael!':

Parents break down at sentencing for driver who killed their son

A sentencing hearing was held today at the Petah Tikva Traffic Court in the case of 82-year-old Carol Fessler, convicted of leaving the scene after an accident in which four-year-old Rafael Adna was killed.

'I Knew We'd Be Free:'

Eli Sharabi's story of faith under Gaza

Former hostage Eli Sharabi shares how he is coping with loss, his faith in being freed, and his longing for life in Kibbutz Be'eri.

Watch:

The Goldin family’s final journey with Hadar

On Tuesday evening, footage was released from inside the Goldin family’s vehicle as they accompanied the coffin of Lt. Hadar Goldin on his final journey - moments before his funeral.

Bereaved father's message to US

'We found many allies, good people that felt our pain'

Ruby Chen eulogizes his son Itay, 2 years after Itay was murdered on October 7. 'I apologize that it took two years to bring you back.'

Itay Chen's family

'We will not stop until the last hostage returns home'

Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, says: “Our personal journey may have reached its conclusion, but not the hostage families’ collective journey - we will NOT rest, will NOT stop, until the last hostage returns home”

Bereaved father:

'Trump freed hostages? These are our sons and daughters'

Bereaved father Itzik Buntzel insisted that the credit goes not to Trump for freeing the hostages, but to the IDF.

Bereaved father memorializes son in Sukkah decorations

Moshe Shapira, father of Aner, who was killed in the October 7th massacre, shares his Sukkah decorations dedicated to the teachers killed since the massacre.

Bereaved Father:

'We must not assign collective blame for Charlie Kirk's murder'

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic murder, Hagai Lober, whose son was killed in action in Gaza, urges against assigning collective responsibility.

Bereaved father:

'Disgusting political abuse of our children'

Itzik Bonzel, father of Sgt. Amit Bonzel who fell in Gaza, removed a political poster with names of fallen soldiers from main street in Jerusalem.

Bereaved father:

'Don't confuse issue with Gaza hunger, it's Hamas' problem'

Shimon Elkabetz, whose daughter was murdered on October 7, criticized the campaign to claim there is starvation in Gaza: "There is no hunger in Gaza, and if someone is hungry, it's their problem and Hamas' problem."

Bereaved mother:

'Soldiers are killed and people hide behind the Torah'

Laly Deri, who lost her son in Gaza, passionately calls for an end to yeshiva exemptions, urging the Haredi community to prioritize national service amid Israel’s existential threats.

Knesset to hold urgent meeting on APC flaws

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will meet to discuss the issues that led to the deaths of seven IDF soldiers.

'I'll Die A Hero':

Benyamin Asulin's parting words to his mother

The mother of fallen soldier Benyamin Asulin said she asked him to come home. Her son replied, "Don't worry, I'm going to save our homeland."

Fallen soldier's brother:

'Mom opened the door and screamed in pain, 'They've come''

Gregory, whose brother was killed in the APC incident in Khan Yunis, shares with Arutz Sheva the moment his family received the heartbreaking news.

Father of slain embassy staffer: 'She was our role model'

The family of Sarah Milgrim, who was murdered together with her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky in an antisemitic shooting in Washington DC two weeks ago, spoke for the first time since the murder of their daughter with CBS News.

'A Gift Of 22 Years':

Parents of Yosef Chirak eulogize their fallen son

Hana and Peretz, the parents of fallen soldier Yosef Yehuda Chirak eulogized him today after he became the first casualty of Operation Gideon's Chariots.

Four Decades Later:

Recovery of Tzvi Feldman may lead to legendary spy Eli Cohen

Several bodies were exhumed during the operation. Foreign media reports that Israel is checking whether one of them might be that of 'our man in Damascus.'

Father of Hostage:

'Trump administration has a score to settle with Hamas as well'

The father of hostage Itay Chen says that Donald Trump and his administration believe that the hostages are an American issue too, with many Americans among the hostages.

Painful meeting between bereaved father and ISA director.

Itzik Bontzel, a bereaved father, talked with ISA director Ronen Bar and personally demanded that he resign.

'I'm a radical leftist?'

Protest march of bereaved families for enlistment

Hagai Luber and Leli Dery, the parents of fallen soldiers, responded to the claims that the protest march of the bereaved parents 'Marching for Conscription' that is taking place today.

Minister of Defense:

'Former Chief of Staff prohibited from entering IDF bases'

Min. of Defense says he will prohibit former Chief of Staff Ya'alon from entering IDF bases,' following request submitted by bereaved father Itzik Bonzel and Im Tirtzu.

Mother of Slain Hostage:

'Rioting will not bring back our loved ones'

The mother of hostage Yotam Haim, who was killed by Israeli forces as he tried to escape Hamas, writes to Arutz Sheva to speak about her feelings regarding the protests for the recovery of the hostages.

Bereaved mother:

'I laughed and cried like never before'

Laly Dery, mother of fallen soldier Saadia Yaakov, tells of the emotional moment the family were told Saadia's wife was pregnant.

Bereaved father:

Anyone who is found responsible must go to jail

Itzik Bonzel, father of Amit, who fell in Gaza, demands setting up a special prison unit for those responsible for the 10/7 massacre, including government ministers and IDF senior commanders.

National Security Council:

Hamas chooses destination for expelled terrorists

The National Security Council wrote to a bereaved father that the state of Israel does not have the authority to choose to which state it will expel terrorists released as part of the hostage deal.

Hersh's Parents:

'One of Or's first questions was about Hersh'

Jon and Rachel, parents of executed hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, spoke about their feelings upon seeing Or Levy, who was captured with their son, released alive.

Hostage's parents in DC:

'US and Israeli leaders both must focus on recovering hostages'

Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of hostage Omer Neutra, explained their message to President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu in an interview with Arutz Sheva from Washington DC.

Bereaved father:

'There is a name missing from the film on Sinwar'

Eyal Eshel, father of fallen surveillance post operator Roni Eshel, claimed that a documentary about Yahya Sinwar whitewashes former IDF intelligence chief Aharon Haliva.

Otniel dedicates Torah scroll to fallen soldiers

A Torah scroll was dedicated in memory of the town's heroes with the participation of the family of Elhanan Kalmanson, who led a mission to save dozens of Israelis during the October 7th massacre.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin:

I'm happy young women are coming home, grieving for my only son

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of hostage Hersh who was executed by Hamas, shares her feelings about the hostage deal in light of the tragedy that struck her family.

Bereaved mother marches for equal draft law

The mother of fallen soldier Saadia Yaakov Dery is marching from Mt. Herzl to the Knesset to demand equal service for all.

Mother of Slain Hostage:

'Hannukah will always be Yotam's holiday'

Iris Haim, the mother of hostage Yotam who was tragically killed by IDF fire after escaping Hamas captivity, spoke at a Knesset event about women's bravery in the war.

Soldier's parents arrived at his base and learned he fell

The parents of Staff Sergeant Yuval Shoham, who fell in Gaza, were visiting their son's base with a package for him when they were told he had fallen.

'An Innocent Mistake:'

IDF invites family of hostages to ceremony for bereaved families

The parents of Nimrod Cohen, a missing soldier, received an invitation for a bereaved families' event despite several signs of life from their son.

Parents disrupt hearing:

'The enemy gets aid, what about the hostages?'

Parents who lost children during the war disrupted a Supreme Court hearing regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza: 'It's crazy that the State of Israel sends aid to Hamas.'

Heroes of Samaria:

First-person footage of the battle for Kfar Aza

As part of a series of interviews about the war heroes from Samaria, Arutz Sheva spoke with Sharona Ran, the mother of Captain Or Yosef Ran, who was killed in action on October 7th.

'He loved to work'

Father of teen killed in rocket strike remembers son

The father of Sivan Sadeh, who was killed by a Hezbollah rocket while working in a field, eulogized his son and spoke about his will to enlist in a combat unit.

Bereaved mother:

'We miss him terribly'

Tzurit, mother of fallen soldier Maoz, says, 'People say I'm educating for death, instead of life. We are fighting for life.'

Bereaved mother:

'Look at each other without barriers'

The mother of fallen soldier Gilad Nitzan shares her way to honor her son's legacy.

Bereaved father:

'My consolation - this year I will conclude the Torah'

Arik, who lost his son in the October 7th massacre, talks about his complex feelings as the holiday of Simchat Torah once again approaches.

Bereaved father to Gallant:

'You're leading us to Oslo 2'

Defense Minister tells Hagvura Forum leaders that Israel will turn over control of Gaza to the Palestinian Arabs after the war ends, leading to rebuke from father of a fallen soldier.