Dorit (Masarat) Benisian

Sept 29, 2004 - On the eve of the Sukkot holiday, Dorit  Benisian, 2, and Yuval Abebeh, 4, and  both of Sderot, were killed by a Kassam rocket fired from Gaza.

Dorit and Yuval, cousins and children of immigrants from Ethiopia, were visiting their grandmother. They were playing outside the house, on Haggai Street, under an olive tree, when they were directly hit by the Kassam rocket. Suffering massive injuries, both died shortly afterwards in hospital. About 30 people were wounded in the attack, for which Hamas claimed responsibility.

Ganato (Gabi) and Yasisat, immigrated to Israel in 1991 and settled in Sderot the following year. On the sidewalk outside their small home was a makeshift memorial. Candles, flowers and a teddy bear marked the site where two-year-old Dorit was killed by a Kassam rocket when she ran into the alley just outside the house chasing a ball.

Dorit, or Masarat, meaning "root" in Ethiopian, was the youngest of six children. She was a happy child, always smiling. Every morning she would say "Bye Abba" when her father left for work, and would wait for him at the gate when he returned home. She liked to dance and sing, and to play ball. She was mature for her age, and shared her toys and candies with her older brothers and sisters.

Dorit (Masarat) Benisian was buried in the Sderot cemetery. She is survived by her parents, Gabi and Yasisat, three brothers - Michael (Malakh), Danny (Daslan) and Shmuel - and two sisters - Edna and Vered.