Sgt Samar Hussein

Nov 23, 2000 - Sgt. Samar Hussein, 19, of Hurfeish, was killed when Palestinian snipers opened fire at soldiers patrolling the border fence near the Erez crossing.

Hurfeish town council head Col. (res.) Mofed Amar said last night that Hussein was the 24th soldier from the Druze village to fall in battle. "In the name of the village, we want to strengthen the hands of all IDF soldiers and security forces," he said. He added that Hussein had been deployed in the Gaza Strip area when the violence broke out two months ago.

Samar had a low military profile, which he fought to raise. He wanted to join a combat unit and asked to volunteer for a Druze regiment. Samar's older brother served in the Golani unit, and was seriously wounded in a confrontation with terrorists in Lebanon. Samar was due to participate in a training course for officers. Hussein was the third son, out of three brothers and five sisters.

Immediatly following news of the tragedy, many people from Samar's village arrived at his family home to comfort the bereaved parents and family. Samar's uncle, Fuaz Hussein paid tribute to Samar and stated: "Something must be done to end all this and bring peace. As long as there is no peace, this situation will not be secure."

Samar was laid to rest in Kfar Hurfeish.