July 12, 2007 - Staff Sgt. Arbel Reich, 21, of Yuvalim in the Galilee was killed when Hamas terrorists ambushed IDF troops engaged in anti-terror activity in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
The Givati Brigade reconnaissance unit was participating in an ongoing mission to weaken the terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and locate weapons smuggling tunnels. Hamas terrorists of the Iz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades detonated previously planted explosive devices and opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machineguns. Arbel Reich was killed and two other soldiers were lightly wounded.
Arbel was a popular boy, and a leading figure among his high school classmates. One of his teachers at the Misgav regional high school recounted that although he began to take his studies seriously only in 11th grade, he successfully passed all his matriculation exams. He majored in geography, played on the local basketball team, and also played the drums.
Arbel had always expressed a strong desire to serve in an elite military unit, and was hoping to become an officer. He took it upon himself to motivate the next generation of youths from his community about to enter the IDF to volunteer to elite units as well.
Staff Sgt. Arbel Reich was buried in the Misgav cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Moshe and Yael, and two sisters, Moran and Einav.