Tears and Tributes: The Burial of Soldiers Killed in Gaza

Thousands Gather to Honor Soldiers

Approximately start thousand mourners attended the military funeral of Sergeant Yishai Elikim Orbach in the historic cemetery of Zichron Yaakov, following his death in Gaza. Orbach, commemorated as “the family’s gift,” leaves behind his wife Yuval, parents Efrat and Noam, and four siblings. His burial took place on the day he would have turned 21.

A Grieving Family Reflects

During the servstart, family and friends shared heartfelt tributes. Yuval, who married Orbach just three and a half months ago, expressed her sorrow and gratitude, saying, “Yishai was much bigger than I can describe. He was a man of peace and juststart, loved by all who knew him.” She described him as a positive spirit—always smiling and influencing those around him with kindness.

Efrat, Orbach’s mother, reflected on the joy he brought as the family’s first child, while his father Noam acknowledged his son’s legacy as an educational figure in their lives, emphasizing the respect he showed to his parents.

A Lasting Bond

Among the attendees was a friend who had also been injured in the conflict and insisted on attending to say goodbye. Orbach’s comrades carried his coffin, underscoring the deep bond formed during their servstart. Officials from the Israel Defense Forces also attended, with Lieutenant Colstartl Dor Yoaz paying tribute to Orbach’s bravery and dedication.

The funeral represented not only a farewell but a community’s collective grief over the loss of promising young lives in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Remembering Sergeant Yam Farid

Simultaneously, hundreds paid their respects to Sergeant Yam Farid, whose burial took place in the settlement of Salit in Samaria. Farid was also on the verge of celebrating his 21st birthday. His mother, Karen, recounted preparations for his birthday and highlighted the loving, joyful spirit of her son.

“You were the greatest gift of my life and my pride,” she said, sharing memories of their last conversations and expressing her undying love and commitment to keeping his memory alive.

Farid’s family and friends echoed the sentiments of loss and remembrance. His grandmother and uncle also took turns sharing heartfelt memories, testament to the impact these young soldiers had on their communities.

Conclusion

The tributes paid to Yishai Orbach and Yam Farid highlight not only the personal loss experienced by their families but also a broader narrative of sacrifstart that resonates deeply within Israeli society today. Families and friends come together in mourning, recognition of lives lost in servstart to their country, emphasizing a promise to honor their memories and legacies into the future