Stories of Courageous Israelis

 

What love is: Brave youth throws himself on grenade to save girlfriend

At 17, Netta Epstein was a leader in the "Let us grow in peace" demonstration, representing the youth of border communities, who were victims of rocket attacks and lived in a perpetual state of insecurity; Last Saturday, as terrorists invaded his and his partner's home, he shielded her with his body from a grenade, and was killed

The young people from the kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip have spent their lives amid the constant threats of “red light”  alerts, rocket attacks, and military actions. In an unprecedented youth-led demonstration in Israel, thousands of young people from communities around Gaza marched to the Knesset in 2018, demanding enhanced security measures for the local residents.

Netta Epstein, a 17-year-old from Kfar Aza and a student at the regional High School, was one of the leaders of that march to Jerusalem. "We felt an outpouring of support from youth across the country," he told Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth, who was reporting on the march. "It demonstrates the unity and solidarity among us young people, and reassures us that we can rely on each other.”

Sadly, last Saturday Netta was murdered in the heinous Hamas attacks. Terrorists infiltrated the apartment he shared with his girlfriend, Eran Shavit, in the small farming community. "We were in contact from the moment the incident began," his mother, Ayelet Epstein, stated. "The terrorists made their way into the neighborhood and hurled a grenade into the room where Netta and Eran were.”

He instantly jumped up and threw himself on top of the grenade, shielding his loved one with his own body. They had already begun discussing a future together, including marriage.Eran is now here with us, we share our grief and comfort each other in our mutual embrace. Netta is a true hero.”

"They only asked for an opportunity to grow up in a peaceful environment," Zohar Shefek, who joined the youth march from the south to Jerusalem five years ago, said "The kind of peace they yearned for was not one where they would remain forever young, but rather one where they could mature and thrive." Addressing his lost friend he said: "Netta, we apologize for placing our trust in the belief that there were those who would protect us and ensure that the contract your parents made with the state would be honored. We deeply regret our failure," he said.

"We will not forgive and we will not forget. Revenge is only a small part of the healing of those who remain. It is only a tenth of the restoration process. removing the liars and bringing them to justice is a monument to your memory, for our hope for forgiveness from you and all the hundreds of new angels." 

Over 100 residents of the community were murdered or are missing.

Show, don't tell: Israel's decision to lay Hamas horrors bare shifts paradigmIn an unprecedented move to maintain international support for a strong response in Gaza, the Foreign Ministry is disseminating shocking documentation from carnage in border towns through official social media accounts_____________________________________

Heroic soldier dies after jumping on a grenade to save others

The parents of Matan Avergil from the West Bank received the heart-wrenching news of their son's death on Wednesday. However, it was only a few days later that they discovered the heroic act their son had committed. Avergil had selflessly thrown himself on a grenade that was aimed at him and his companions, a courageous act that ultimately saved their lives.

In the initial hours of the unexpected attack by Hamas, soldiers from the Golani Brigade were engaged in intense combat in Kibbutz Nir Am. As per the accounts, seven soldiers including Avergil found themselves under attack by a multitude of Hamas militants. His fellow soldier, Daniel Varach, recounted, "Matan and we were in the armored vehicle, completely encircled with no escape route.”

Unexpectedly, a terrorist tossed a grenade into the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) housing the seven soldiers. "Matan spotted the grenade and lunged over us. I attempted to restrain him but he was resolute. When I opened my eyes a minute later, he was over me, expressing 'I tried to do everything to protect the people of Israel'. Being a medic, I tried to rescue him, but when I could not feel a pulse, I realized he was no longer with us," recounted one of the soldiers.

On Thursday, Avergil was laid to rest. One of his comrades from the APC honored him saying, "On our behalf, and on behalf of all the unit members, our deepest gratitude goes to you. You shielded us all, taking the blow onto yourself. You are a genuine hero, a noble spirit. Your memory and story will eternally live on in my heart." Eric, Avergil's father, addressed the soldiers who shared the APC with his son, expressing, "We love you all like we love our children.”

Avergil, the youngest among four siblings, belonged to a longstanding family within the Hermesh settlement in the West Bank. Two of his brothers had also joined the army. A tragic loss befell the family when his cousin, Avraham Cohen, was killed at a nature gathering in the south.

Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Council, mourned his loss saying: "You displayed no fear or hesitation, you battled and succumbed alongside your brothers in arms, defending our homeland and our people. You hail from a lineage of warriors, descendants of King David." He appealed to "the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff to bestow upon him the highest privilege, the medal of honor.”  

https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjyj7ldzp#autoplay