Israel’s war against Hamas, Part II: Heroic things

War, like other major events, brings out the best in people and the worst in people. Here is a collection of “the heroic.”

This article does not include the incredible voluntary “conscription” of the entire Israeli population in support of the army and civilians evacuated from areas in which the IDF must be able to operate freely and out of harm’s way as much as possible. In neighbourhoods around the country, initiatives popped up to provide essentials to the evacuees, activities organized for the children, and more.

Here are just some of the heroes I found on “X” and Facebook. I may add more as times goes on. I do not claim this to be all there is — far from it. If you know of a hero who is in this collection, write the story or put a link to it in the comments section below the article.

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For your convenience, where you need to click on the post to see the entire text, I copied the text before the post.

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He is not a soldier, just a young man wanting to protect his girlfriend.

Netta Epstein, just 21 ????️

Netta, an Israeli-Canadian, was hiding with his girlfriend in a safe room in Kibbutz Kfar Aza when Hamas terrorists broke inside.

They shot him and tossed a grenade at the couple. Netta jumped on the grenade and saved his girlfriend’s life.

This… pic.twitter.com/SrGFGns4mz

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 16, 2023

This is how the hero of Israel, Amit Levy, is welcomed at the hotel in Eilat where the residents of Kibbutz Nirim are staying. He along with 3 other members of the alert squad eliminated dozens of terrorists and since then Amit stayed back to take care of the animals on the farm. pic.twitter.com/khXtvqIxAx

— Hertfordshire Friends of Israel 🇮🇱🎗️ (@HertfordshireI) October 16, 2023

Out of this #Hamas-inflicted catastrophe, heroic stories emerge: Matan Avergil jumped on a grenade that was thrown at his unit. His actions saved the lives of his friends while sacrificing his own. His last words: “I tried to do everything to protect the people of #Israel.”???? pic.twitter.com/9PG9n0qb60

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 17, 2023

#Israelunderattack Many heroes in Israel, but among mine are the invisible ones:
A 70 y.o. woman who prepares women soldiers’ bodies for burial.
A 40 y.o. former special forces man not recruited. He digs graves around the country. 30+ so far. One kibbutz near Gaza needs 80 graves pic.twitter.com/4VozNtg4kH

— Lenny Ben-David (@lennybendavid) October 19, 2023

In a powerful moment, survivors of the #HamasMassacre and their rescuers meet for the first time after the horrific events that took place on October 7th. pic.twitter.com/c55WSfsiCN

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 18, 2023

Ashraf, the commander of the tracker unit of the Gaza Division and a resident of Rahat, has been fighting fiercely for Israel for years.
He was critically wounded in Operation Pillar of Heaven but recovered and returned to service. On October 7, when many terrorists tried to… pic.twitter.com/cj0hN0cvP2

— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) October 20, 2023

This is Shlomo Ron. When Hamas terrorists invaded his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, this 85-year-old frail man had a plan. He left his wife, daughters and grandson in the shelter, and went to sit in his living room, waiting for his death. He figured that when terrorists break in they will see him, execute the lonely old man, and move on. He was right. He’s a hero who sacrificed himself for the people he loves. May be rest in peace.

This is Shlomo Ron. When Hamas terrorists invaded his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, this 85-year-old frail man had a plan.

He left his wife, daughters and grandson in the shelter, and went to sit in his living room, waiting for his death. He figured that when terrorists break in… pic.twitter.com/E9WX0q7nb3

— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) October 21, 2023

A little hero in the making:

When Hamas terrorists attacked a Bedouin Muslim family from Rahat, the father yelled to them “we are Arabs!” to which they replied “you are more Jewish than Jews!”. The terrorists then murdered the father, and shot 5-year-old Atallah. Police arrived and the paramedic determined Atallah would never make it, but they decided to transport him to a hospital anyway, despite terrorists still roaming the area. A few days later little Atallah opened his eyes in the hospital, and met the cops who saved him. He’s already told them he wants to join the police when he’s older

When Hamas terrorists attacked a Bedouin Muslim family from Rahat, the father yelled to them “we are Arabs!” to which they replied “you are more Jewish than Jews!”. The terrorists then murdered the father, and shot 5-year-old Atallah.

Police arrived and the paramedic determined… pic.twitter.com/8CeGQk5hdi

— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) October 22, 2023

This post is dedicated to the unseen heroes, the thousands of Zaka (first responder volunteers) who have recovered bodies of victims and have witnessed the most horrific things beyond human comprehension. Words cannot describe our gratitude. We pray for them and for their mental and physical well-being.

This post is dedicated to the unseen heroes, the thousands of Zaka (first responder volunteers) who have recovered bodies of victims and have witnessed the most horrific things beyond human comprehension.

Words cannot describe our gratitude.

We pray for them and for their… pic.twitter.com/quu4EJkBLt

— Israel ישראל ???????? (@Israel) October 22, 2023

Moshe Kaplan, head of the volunteer security force which defended Kibbutz Mefalsim on October 7th, reunites 16 days later with the survivors he saved ‘This was one of the rare occurrences in which the security team managed to fend the terrorists off, killing some 15 terrorists outside the gates of the Kibbutz,’ our @guyaz [i24 news anchor] says.

Moshe Kaplan, head of the volunteer security force which defended Kibbutz Mefalsim on October 7th, reunites 16 days later with the survivors he saved

'This was one of the rare occurrences in which the security team managed to fend the terrorists off, killing some 15 terrorists… pic.twitter.com/2Z7U41dk4g

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 22, 2023

Eden Levy, a true hero of Israel, was just 19 when she gave her life in the line of duty.

She displayed incredible courage, facing off 10 terrorists trying to breach her base.

Thanks to her bravery, the Zikim Base remained unconquered.

Her sacrifice saved many lives.
????????????️ pic.twitter.com/c5gMlaJjy8

— Hearts of Israel (@HeartsForIsrael) October 22, 2023

A story about a father and daughter. A story about two fighters, two heroes:

Chief Superintendent Itzik Bazuka-Shvili, commander of a police station, and his daughter Liel, who serves in the Israel Border Police, got into their car and drove to the Gaza border as soon as they heard about Hamas terror attack. On the way they encountered terrorists and managed to eliminate them and save five people. From there, Itzik continued to Kibbutz Reim – where many terrorists infiltrated. He insisted that Liel won’t join him. In the Kibbutz Itzik was killed by a RPG missile fired by the terrorists – not before he saved another wounded man. Despite hearing about her father’s death, Liel continued to fight and neutralized more terrorists. “My heart is broken into pieces,” says Liel. “My father was the strongest man in the world. I will do everything to return to the field and fight for him” (N12)

A story about a father and daughter. A story about two fighters, two heroes:

Chief Superintendent Itzik Bazuka-Shvili, commander of a police station, and his daughter Liel, who serves in the Israel Border Police, got into their car and drove to the Gaza border as soon as they… pic.twitter.com/9x8zsOEvKI

— Yonatan Gonen (@GonenYonatan) October 22, 2023

Heroes of October 7th: This is Yigal, an Israeli police officer. He arrived at the Nova party and began to evacuate people, saving over 500 who followed him to safety. When the interviewer asked if understands how many lives he saved, he answered: “I understand I could have saved more”

Heroes of October 7th: This is Yigal, an Israeli police officer.

He arrived at the Nova party and began to evacuate people, saving over 500 who followed him to safety. When the interviewer asked if understands how many lives he saved, he answered:

“I understand I could have… pic.twitter.com/mSjmsNFuac

— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) October 23, 2023

After 7 years of service in an IDF special forces unit, Captain H was finally discharged. As a parting gift, his soldiers bought him a ticket to Nepal so he could fulfill his dream of climbing Mount Everest. He was on his 3rd day of climbing on Saturday, October 7, when he heard about the war back home in Israel. So he turned around, chartered a private helicopter to Katmandu, boarded a flight to Tel Aviv, and was back in uniform on Monday. Terrorists – you will never have this!

After 7 years of service in an IDF special forces unit, Captain H was finally discharged. As a parting gift, his soldiers bought him a ticket to Nepal so he could fulfill his dream of climbing Mount Everest.

He was on his 3rd day of climbing on Saturday, October 7, when he… pic.twitter.com/GhlXHRCASd

— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) October 24, 2023

This is Amar Abu Sabila, 25, from the Arab village of Abu Talul in the Galilee, northern Israel. His family was notified that his body had been identified today, over two weeks after the 7 October massacre. Amar, a married father-of-two, was murdered outside the Sderot police station while trying to save the lives of the 6 year-old and 3 year-old daughters of Dolev and Odeya Swissa, who were trying to escape the city in their car. Amar worked in construction, drilling building foundations. On the day of the massacre two of his brothers came to visit him. According to information that reached his family members, he ran to help Odeya and her children after her husband Dolev, in the driver’s seat, was murdered. According to his family, he heard the mother’s screams for helps and, realising that she could not drive, exited his car to help move the Swissa family car somewhere safe. Tragically, both he and Odeya were shot dead near the Sderot police station. However, the two little children were mercifully spared as they lay down on the floor in the back. The two covered themselves with a sheet and waited until police officers spotted them some time later. They owe their lives to this hero. May his family be comforted in the knowledge that his heroic actions helped create a measure of peace between Jews and Muslims.

HERO

This is Amar Abu Sabila, 25, from the Arab village of Abu Talul in the Galilee, northern Israel. His family was notified that his body had been identified today, over two weeks after the 7 October massacre.

Amar, a married father-of-two, was murdered outside the Sderot… pic.twitter.com/p1lZaIlNAI

— (((Emanuel Miller))) ???? (@emanumiller) October 24, 2023

This is Oz Davidian – saved with his own hands, his gun, and his van – more than 120 young men and women at the Nova festival.
He did it in 15 rounds into, under fire out of absolute brotherly love, he deserves a salute – from all of us, the hero of Israel. pic.twitter.com/xtvgngtOBo

— Israel Kicks A** (@Israelkicksass) October 24, 2023

After 15 hours of fighting with shrapnel in his hand and broken ribs, in which he eliminated dozens of terrorists, H was evacuated to the hospital. However, after treatment, he returned to his base several hours later to continue his military duties.

Hero of Israel ???????? 10/10

— Ehud Shavit (@EhudShavit) October 24, 2023

This is Hamed Al-Karanawi Merhat, on 7th October, Hamed & his family members Rafi,Ismail & Dahish heard about #Hamas massacre,they drove to the Nova party & with their car rescued dozens of people under fire, risking their lives. Share so everyone knows what heroes they are. ???? pic.twitter.com/ggNw2bIf5d

— Israel Kicks A** (@Israelkicksass) October 24, 2023

A hero of Oct 7th, Yaniv Sarudi, may his name be for a blessing. Overpowered a terrorist, taking his weapon and killing him. Though wounded he saved 8 others from the massacre. He succumbed to his injuries at Sroka Hospital #HamasISIS #HamasMassacre #IsraelUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/Wnuv1e3IsP

— MOT (@nachal_giyus86) October 24, 2023

In the place abandoned by humanity – there was Camille.

Camille is a foreign worker who came to Israel from the Philippines five years ago to care for 95-year-old Nitza of Kibbutz Nirim. Like everyone, she also woke up on 7 Oct morning to the sound of heavy missile rounds and she hid in the shelter with Nitza.

Before 8 am, she started hearing people talking outside the house and Camille, who had worked before this in Dubai – quickly understood that the people outside were not Hebrew-speaking soldiers but Arabic speaking terrorists.

She unsuccessfully tried to close the shelter window. And suddenly, she found herself in front of the terrorists. She was supposed to have flown two days after this to the Philippines to visit her son, and because of this anticipated trip, she had 1500 NIS in her wallet intended for her family.

Without a second thought, she gave the terrorists her wallet and told them to take it all, all except for the airline ticket. “She’s an old lady and doesn’t understand anything – take everything and leave.”

The terrorists took Camille’s money – and left.

Then Camille got into bed with Nitza, hugging her for 2 ½ hours until Israeli soldiers came to rescue them. IN the meantime, she cancelled her flight and her family visit: “I promised Nitza that I won’t leave her until she dies,” said Nitza, “and that is what I will do.”

Among all the heartbreaking stories, there is in my opinion, a special place for all the foreign workers – people from the poorest places – those who fly thousands of km far from home to support their families, working at the hardest exhausting jobs, accumulating, shekel by shekel, money to send home. And those unwittingly finding themselves in a place whose language and ways they do not understand – when evil rose up and barbarism reigned—they chose to be humane, like Camille.

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Doing this post gave me hope, and having it ready to share with you boosts my morale.

Feature image credit: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay