bereaved families

Malachei Hashalom:

First cemetery established overnight for fallen hero David Libi

Within 24 hours of his death in Gaza, a new cemetery is inaugurated in Malachei Hashalom to bury David Libi, son of the community's founder.

'Go be our beacons and hope'

Rachel Goldberg-Polin's inspiring address

Mother of American hostage who was murdered by his Hamas captors thanks YU graduates for their love and support during commencement speech. 'In this life, we are what we do.'

Ravid Chaim's grandmother:

'I lost a daughter-in-law and a grandchild in 2 weeks'

Naomi Gez tells Arutz Sheva. 'We waited so long for this sweet baby. Unfortunately, his mother was murdered so cruelly, and he as well.'

Baby Ravid Chaim, son of Tz'ela Gez, has died of his injuries

The Samaria Regional Council and the community of Bruchin announce with deep sorrow that newborn Ravid Chaim, the son of the late Tze'ela Gez, passed away Thursday morning at the hospital.

Rabbi's plea after son and widow of terror victim survive crash

Rabbi Moshe Eliya calls for national prayer after his son and daughter-in-law, the widow of Yehuda Dimentman, were seriously injured in a tragic accident near Itamar.

'One second felt like eternity'

Hananel Gez recalls Tze’ela’s final moments

Hananel Gez, whose wife Tze’ela was murdered on the way to the delivery room, recounts the horror of the attack and the birth of their son, Ravid Chaim. 'We have to be strong and not let them break us — otherwise, they’ve won.'

Bereaved husband:

'Tze'ela is still teaching us how to cope with tragedy'

Hananel Gez, the husband of the pregnant woman who was murdered while driving to the hospital to give birth tells Arutz Sheva Jewish residents are "sitting ducks" until the government acts to protect them.

'She died of a broken heart'

Liel Buchris, sister of fallen IDF hero, dies of cancer

Months after losing her brother, Maj. Chen Buchris, Liel Buchris passes away from cancer at age 34. Her family believes grief overwhelmed her. 'October 7 hasn’t ended.'

Ettya and Eitan David Eliya injured in serious crash in Samaria

Ettya Eliya, widow of terror victim Yehuda Dimentman, and her husband Eitan David, injured in a serious car accident near Yitzhar Junction, family calls for prayers as Eitan remains in serious condition.

'Defeatist Propaganda':

Bereaved families demand investigation against Yair Golan

Families of fallen soldiers from the Gevurah Forum have called on the Israel Police to launch a criminal investigation against Yair Golan over comments he made during a media interview in May.

'The Name Tze'ela Chose':

Grieving family honors murdered mother's wish for her baby

In a rare ceremony, Tze'ela Gez's family named her child today with the name she had already chosen. Due to the infant's medical condition, the name was given without the traditional circumcision

'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.

Hagay Lober:

Bereaved father offers words of strength following brutal murder

Following tragic murder of Tze'ela Gez, bereaved father Hagai Lober visits the Bruchin Yeshiva: 'My true source of comfort lies in all those who remain and continue to live their lives.'

'Cry Out Against Next Attack':

Family of murdered woman demands new construction

After the murder of Tze'ela Gez on her way to give birth, her family calls for a decisive military operation in Burqin and the establishment of new communities in Samaria in her memory.

Heartbreaking:

Dad tells kids: Mom went to have a baby, terrorists killed her

Tal Shahar Carmon, friend of the murdered mother Tze’ela Gez, recounts chilling and painful conversation Hananel Gez had with his children following the murder of their mother and his wife.

Tzvi Feldman's brother:

'Thank G-d this circle is closed'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally informed the family of Tzvi Feldman today (Sunday) of the successful operation to retrieve his body from Syria after 43 years.

Heroism and sacrifice:

The last words of Sergeant Yishai Urbach before his fall in Gaza

Yuval, Yishai Urbach’s widow, recalls his final conversation, as he prepared for a mission of strength and honor fighting for his people and country. 'I am proud of him.'

'Let It Be':

Family honors fallen father in the house where he died in Be'eri

The children of Elhanan Kalamanson gathered in the house where he was killed in action in the October 7th massacre to honor him among the 33 Israelis killed defending Be'eri.

Salt of the earth:

My son Yaroni, an IDF soldier from Ra'anana, Hy"d

Our lives are now separated by a clear line: life before Yaroni’s death and life after.

'He truly moved me'

Bereaved Israeli woman meets US Ambassador Huckabee

Orit Mark Ettinger, who lost multiple family members to terror and war, shares an emotional moment with the US envoy at the FOZ Museum in Jerusalem.

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.

On Independence Day:

Terror attack survivor announces his engagement

Terror attack survivor Dvir Haim Shnerb, who was injured in an August 2019 terror attack that left his younger sister dead, announces engagement to Dana Malkior on Israel's 77th Independence Day.

Emotional letter written by fallen soldier to his grandmother

Adi, mother of fallen soldier Sergeant first class (res.) Idan Kenan, reads an emotional letter he wrote to his grandmother shortly before he was killed in Gaza.

Fallen soldier's brothers:

We mourn his loss, on Independence Day we will celebrate for him

The three brothers of Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun speak to Arutz Sheva and describe their feelings on the first Memorial Day as bereaved brothers.

Due to protests

Minister Goldknopf withdraws participation in memorial ceremony

Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzhak Goldknopf announced that due to threats of protests that would desecrate the event, he will not participate in the memorial day ceremony.

Former Mossad chief: 'Iranian threat is a test of our unity'

'Iranian threat is not just a strategic challenge — it is a moral one. It is a test of our unity, our resilience, and our unwavering determination to defend our people and homeland,' former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen says at Museum of Tolerance and IDFWO Memorial Day event.

PM to bereaved families:

'In the name of the fallen, we pursue the mission of victory'

At start of Yom Hazikaron, PM addresses bereaved families and quotes the daughter of fallen soldier Rabbi Avi Goldberg.

'Does not reflect us'

Parents apologize to widow after attempt to silence her

Parents of students at the Hartman High School apologized to Sigal Kraunik and condemned the principal's attempt to silence her.

School principal tries to silence bereaved wife

During a lecture at Hartman High School, Sigal, whose husband fell on 10.7, spoke about the loss of trust in the residents of Gaza. The principal of the school demanded she skip over that part, but Sigal insisted.

Freedom and Love:

The haunting art of Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, a released hostage who lost his wife and two sons, displayed an emotional art piece at the exhibition at Ben Gurion Airport calling for the return of the hostages.

Ahead of Memorial Day 5785:

The number of Israel's fallen stands at 25,417

Since last Memorial Day, 316 fallen soldiers have been added to the tally, along with 61 disabled veterans who passed away due to their disabilities and were recognized during the year as fallen soldiers of Israel's wars.

Independence Day:

Bereaved father and released hostage to light torch

Released hostage Emily Damari and Oren Smadja, who lost his son in Gaza, will jointly light a torch on Independence Day.

Brother of hostage:

'Siege on Hamas until hostages return'

Roi Baruch, the brother of hostage Uriel Baruch whose body is held in the Gaza Strip, asked MK Tzvi Succot to exert pressure on the government not to carry out a partial deal.

Bereaved families:

'Ending the war threatens Israel'

More than 1000 bereaved families have signed a letter contradicting the various calls to end the war from various groups of IDF soldiers.

Closure:

Sivan Elkabets' computer returned to her parents

Sivan was murdered during the October 7th massacre. Her laptop was stolen from her house. Today, it was returned to her family.

Bereaved families pray at Joseph's Tomb

Families of Ben Yosef Livnat, who was murdered at Joseph's Tomb, and Sergeant First Class (res.) Shuvael Ben-Natan, who fell in the war, pray at Joseph's Tomb in special Passover visit.

Bereaved families demand a public inquiry committee

Over 300 bereaved parents and parents of hostages approached the President calling for the establishment of a mutually agreed inquiry committee.

Fallen soldier's family voices concern over renewed Gaza fighting

The parents of fallen American-Israeli soldier Captain Omer Neutra voiced concerns over Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza, arguing that airstrikes endanger the remaining hostages rather than securing their return.

Bereaved father to ISA chief:

The people do not deserve for you to hold them hostage

Eliyahu Libman, bereaved father and Kiryat Arba leader, calls on ISA chief Ronen Bar to step down, says his failure to warn of the massacre will never be forgiven. 'Those who back you are doing so out of great wickedness.'

Emotional:

Newborn nephew named after IDF soldier who fell in Gaza

Sister of Sgt. Yehonatan Elias, who fell in Gaza last year, names her firstborn son after her brother.

Moving:

Murdered lookout's handwriting preserved in book title

In moving gesture, handwriting of murdered Nahal Oz lookout Sgt. Yael Leibushor turned into font adorning new book on the weekly Torah portion.

Pain mixed with joy:

How a fallen hero's family celebrated Purim

Rachel Goldberg, wife of fallen soldier Avi Goldberg, talks about celebrating Purim despite the difficult pain of the loss and explains the significance behind the family's special costume.

Pres. Herzog:

Ori Danino took responsibility and demonstrated Jewish bravery

Israeli President Isaac Herzog joins reading of Book of Esther at the synagogue of murdered hostage, Ori Danino, praises his bravery. 'Ori was like an angel amidst the chaos.'

Brother of hostage:

'Just one MK came to comfort my family'

During a discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Danny Elgarat revealed that only a single MK from the coalition offered condolences after his brother's body was returned.

Bereaved father accuses:

'Both Right and Left not fighting for victory'

Bereaved families from Forum Hagvura demand from Knesset members to eliminate Hamas, 'Have we forgotten our soldiers and the goals of this war?'

Captivity survivor:

'I hope there will be a grave to visit on Memorial Day'

Noga Weiss, kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre and released from Hamas captivity in a November 2023 deal, says she cannot find closure until Hamas releases her father's body for burial. 'I haven't yet said goodbye.'

Ohad Yahalomi, killed in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest

Funeral for Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity, begins in Rishon Lezion; he will be buried in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Mother of kidnapped IDF soldier Nachshon Wachsman dies

Esther Wachsman, mother of IDF solider Nachshon Wachsman who was kidnapped and murdered in 1994, passes away.

Chief Rabbi to Yarden Bibas:

'Your life will be a great memorial for Shiri. Ariel, and Kfir'

Rabbi Kalman Ber writes condolence letter to former hostage whose wife and 4-year-old and 9-month-old sons were murdered in captivity.

Tsachi Idan to be laid to rest next to daughter murdered on 7/10

Family of murdered hostage Tsachi Idan announces that his body was identified by the Abu Kabir forensic institute, says he will be laid to rest alongside his murdered daughter.

'Five angels'

Three generations of loss

Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of murdered hostage Shiri Bibas and aunt to Ariel and Kfir Bibas, tearfully mourns their loss. 'I hope you're up there embraced by Mom and Dad.'

Yarden Bibas:

'I'm sorry I didn't manage to save you'

Funeral for Ariel, Kfir, and Shiri Bibas leaves Rishon Lezion for Nir Oz cemetery; thousands stand along the roadsides, waving Israeli flags and paying last respects.

'The leak is a disgrace'

IDF's unusual request following the outrage of bereaved families

Families of female lookouts blast the leak of the IDF investigation of October 7 failures to the media before it was presented to them. The IDF is calling on media outlets to refrain from publishing partial information.

With Israeli flags lining the road:

This is what Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will look like

As per the family's request, the funeral will be limited to invitees only, but the public may honor the memory of Shiri and her sons Ariel and Kfir, accompanying the funeral procession by holding Israeli flags along the roadside.

Sister of Hostage:

'We don't want revenge, we want Shiri'

Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas, gave a video statement apologizing to Kfir and Ariel for not mourning them until Shiri Bibas returns.

Widow of fallen soldier announces engagement

Meitar Eliyahu, widow of Sergeant First Class (res.) Yedidya Eliyahu, who fell in battle in Gaza, announces that she is engaged to Baruch Tzuri Noked of Hebron.

Strengthening war widows:

'Let us grow together'- Empowerment for Swords of Iron widows

Women of all ages widowed in the war met at the Center for the Family at Orot Yisrael College to gain strength to cope with the challenges that their lives now demand.

In The Knesset:

MK berates bereaved sister

A heated confrontation occurred in the Knesset between Shira Lisha, sister of fallen Sergeant Dvir Lisha, and Knesset Member Debbie Biton.

Protester with red gloves expelled from Knesset committee

An individual with red gloves was removed from a committee meeting during speeches by families of the hostages.

War widows support Smotrich

A group of war widows wrote to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'We support you and your struggle for the same path that called to our husbands.'