St.-Sgt. Nir Sami
Sept 23, 2004 - St.-Sgt. Nir Sami, 21, of Jerusalem was one of three soldiers killed by Palestinian terrorists, who infiltrated the military post near the community of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip. Two Fatah-related terror groups and the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.
Early Thursday morning, several Palestinian terrorists, armed with AK-47 assault riffles and hand grenades, infiltrated the military post near the community of Morag, in southern Gaza. The gunmen infiltrated under cover of the community's greenhouses and opened fire at the soldiers, killing an IDF officer - Capt. Tal Bardugo - and two IDF soldiers - Staff-Sergeants Nir Sami and Israel Lutati. Another IDF soldier and a journalist were wounded in the exchange of fire in which the terrorists were killed.
Nir Sami had just returned to the Gaza Strip after a long weekend with friends and family. He enlisted in Givati after studying in Orot Nevi'im school in Jerusalem, and served in Gaza, along with his older brother, Eran.
"He loved the army, was proud to be in Givati, but you never heard him talk about it," said Rafi Menachem, a neighbor who has lived across the street from the family since the 1960s. "He had something to say and he had something to contribute, but Nir was quiet, modest, and shy. He was popular and was always smiling. They say God takes away the good ones and it's true." Nir had one more year to complete his service.
According to his friends, Nir was an avid fan of the Betar Jerusalem soccer club, and loved nature and the beach - "all the things that young people like," Menachem added. His family described him as bashful and modest.
For the Sami family, yesterday was supposed to be one of celebration and excitement. Nir's older brother, Tzahi, had recently become engaged, and the family was supposed to spend the day looking for wedding halls.
St.-Sgt. Nir Sami was buried in the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, his sister Efrat, and three brothers, Tzahi, Eran and Omri.