Thousands of family members, friends and civilians arrived at the Gan Sorek cemetery in Netaim, to accompany on his last journey the IDF reserve soldier, Lieutenant Yuval Zilber, 25, from Ramat Gan, who was killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
Lieutenant Zilber, a graduate of Ohel Shem High School, was on the big trip to the East and when he heard about the outbreak of war he decided to return to Israel and enlist in Order 8.
As a tribute and salute, ahead of his funeral, hundreds stood with Israeli flags on both sides of the road leading to the cemetery.
"We stand here shocked and pained. Yuval chose to enlist in combat service in the Nahal out of a sense of mission. Yuval, you were a role model as a commander. The first to volunteer for any task. You fought valiantly, striving for contact. On behalf of the soldiers and commanders of the Harel Brigade, I salute you," Lt. Col. Dov eulogized him.
Company Commissioner Sergeant Shlomi also eulogized, "Yuval conveyed to us a new spirit, an optimistic spirit. His soldiers and company commanders continue to fight fiercely in the Gaza Strip."
Photo: Avi Cohen
His mother Yael eulogized him: "Yuvali, my beloved child, this is how my every greeting for your birthday opened. This time it's about keeping the memory, the crying stays inside me, inside my heart. I'm sad and in endless pain. Every particle of you inside me is a continuous light. It's hard for me, I need you closely, you've always challenged me, the great journey was cut short for Israel and we both managed only two segments. Proud that I was your mother. Thank you for bringing such a child into the world."
His sister: "Yuvali, how can you tell stories when you're away? Always conveying that everything is good, just adore you, look at me - Yuvali, if only I could protect you. I know you wanted to go, but not to go without coming back. You are everything to me."
Later, his uncle Boaz eulogized him: "Night comes and the heart is called. Yael, my little sister, loses a son. Then the light went out and darkness on the surface of an abyss. I love you so much - my nephew, despite your young age, learns a lot from you, knows your endless giving. We agreed that after she returns, we will build together a bridge to heal the rifts of Israel's divided society."
Yuval Zilber z"l, photo: Avi Cohen, courtesy of the family
Noa Tversky eulogized him: "My Yuval, I will never forget the day we met in Thailand, and still, that day I knew you wouldn't be leaving me anytime soon. We both knew we had received something special, that we had received a gift, only we didn't know it would be for a short time. You taught me to love, we saw the good, now I'm alone. I feel like all the clichés about who you are and who you were to me are true."
His friends: "They took my brother. You were a bright, sharp boy who knew everything. You went without the opportunity, thank you. About the stories, about Netanya, about vegan food and protecting us." His friend Tomer Peled also eulogized: "Yuval was our best. All the reasons to cry for you. I don't usually cry. In recent days there are many reasons to cry. We always laughed about writing eulogies for each other. You're my best friend. You had the power of a true hero," his friend Tomer Peled told him. His friend Nir, who serves in Gaza, sent a text: "Night, I looked at the sky and there are no stars, something in my heart for a good man and then I heard your name. We made a bloody pact."
Against the background of the tears in the cemetery, Roni Dalumi sang her song 'Man of the Night' in honor of Zilber and said: I should have seen you at my show."
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