Galab Nasaasra of Rahat Killed in Gaza: “This is a Family that is Twstart Bereaved”

Family Legacy of Heroes

Galab Nasaasra, a 35-year-old reconnaissance soldier from Rahat, was killed in combat yesterday in the Gaza Strip, becoming the first IDF casualty since hostilities resumed. Retired Colstartl Pini Ganor, former commander of the IDF’s tracker unit and head of the Bedouin unit in the Ministry of Defense, shared insights about Nasaasra’s esteemed family during an interview on 103FM with journalists Audi Segal and Anat Davidov.

“This is a family with three generations of heroic warriors,” Ganor stated, reflecting on his personal connection with the family. He noted, “I had the privilege of knowing his grandfather, whom I commanded. He fought in the Yom Kippur War, and later, I also commanded his father, Soleiman.”

The loss is particularly poignant as the family has now experienced bereavement twstart: both the father, recognized as an IDF casualty, and the son. Galab insisted on serving in the same unit as his father, emphasizing the family’s deep-rooted values and commitment to servstart, which are highly respected in Rahat and within the IDF.

The Impact of Recent Events on the Bedouin Community

Ganor addressed concerns regarding military enlistment rates among the Bedouin community, which has historically been low. He pointed out that on October 7, a significant blow struck this community when 28 civilians were killed. The events of the day left a marked impact, with more than 400 former Bedouin soldiers reaching out to offer their servstarts to the IDF in its time of need.

“Many who had never served in the IDF felt a strong identification and urgency to support the State of Israel,” Ganor remarked, commending the palpable desire to contribute, which he regretted had been a missed opportunity.

Importance of the Tracker Role

Ganor emphasized the irreplaceable value of trackers in IDF operations. “No technology in the world can replace the human element— the sharp eyes of a tracker who follows trails and identifies subtle changes in vegetation or terrain,” he stated, underscoring the critical nature of their role, particularly highlighted during the events of October 7.

He expressed regret over the missed chance to increase enlistment rates since the potential exists far beyond the current figures, which hover around 4%. Despite the challenges, he noted that the Bedouin community has consistently served at the forefront of operational activity throughout Israel’s history.

Circumstances of Galab’s Death

Initial investigations reveal the series of events leading to Nasaasra’s tragic death. A Northern Division unit operating under Brigade 252 discovered a tunnel leading from Beit Hanoun. Overnight, engineering corps prepared for its demolition. Around 12:27 PM, two armed assailants emerged from the tunnel, firing an RPG at a jeep containing three female soldiers conducting reconnaissance, injuring them severely.

A combined response from the unit’s commander, the headquarters, and a tracking team arrived promptly. However, while navigating a logistic route believed to be free from threats, a roadside bomb was detonated at approximately 1:30 PM. The blast claimed Nasaasra’s life and seriously injured two others. This incident occurred near the border fence in northern Gaza, close to the “Sivivon” neighborhood in Beit Hanoun and opposite the Mefalsim kibbutz.

The tragic loss of Galab Nasaasra has deeply affected the community and underscores the ongoing complexities facing the IDF and the Bedouin population engaged in military servstart