St-Sgt Kevin Cohen

Aug 20, 2002 - St.-Sgt. Kevin Cohen, 19, of Petah Tikva, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in the Gaza Strip while on guard duty at the Yakinton outpost in Gush Katif. Hamas claimed responsibility for his murder.

Kevin, who served with the Shimshon Brigade, was a graduate of the Amal Bet vocational school in Petah Tikva, where he studied electronics and computers. He had started a special program to become an electronics engineer, but decided to cut short his studies to join the army in November 2001. His schoolfriends, many of whom came to his funeral, said that Kevin had volunteered to serve in a combat unit.

Kevin's girlfriend of two years, Nathalie Elbaz, 18, spoke with him a few hours before his death. After their conversation he sent a text message to her cellular phone saying: "I was born for you, I would fight for you, I would die for you."

Kevin's family came to Israel from Iran 15 years ago. His elder brother, Eran, who recently completed his army service with the Golani Brigade, eulogized him, saying: "There is no way to bid farewell to a brother. We immigrated to Israel together and grew up like twins. We will never forget you."

Kevin Cohen was laid to rest at the Petah Tikva Military Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Ya'acov and Rahel, two brothers aged 22 and 13, and a seven-year-old sister.