St-Sgt Gad Ezra

Apr 4, 2002 - St.-Sgt. Gad Ezra, 23, of Bat-Yam was killed during an exchange of fire at the Jenin refugee camp (Operation Defensive Shield).

Gad was to be discharged from his compulsory service in the IDF within a month. He planned to return to his studies at Orr Etzion Yeshiva, where he studied before he was drafted into the army, and become engaged to his girlfriend Galit. "A big guy with a heart of gold", Gad was a volunteer for Kav LaChayim - Chai Lifeline - an organization devoted to providing moral and financial support to children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses such as cerebral palsy, as well as those requiring organ transplants.

Gad's friends in the Golani Brigade brought the family a letter that Gad had written a month ago to Galit in case he was killed. He wrote in the letter, "there is nothing I want more than to be with you. But I also want to go out on this operation to strike them so that they will not consider carrying out any more terrorist attacks. If I have to pay the price with my life, I am ready."

St.-Sgt. Gad Ezra was buried in the military cemetery in Holon. He leaves behind his parents and four siblings.