Sergeant Major Itai Peri, 36, a soldier in Battalion 8111 of the 5th Brigade, was killed yesterday (Sunday) in the southern Gaza Strip when terrorists detonated IEDs near a tunnel shaft. Along with him, four other reserve fighters were killed in the terrible incident.
The news of his death shattered everyone who knew him - family and friends who tell of a young man who always had a smile on his face and bright eyes, an exemplary father to his three small children: Ido, Gil and Uri, the latter only seven months old.
Itai was an adoring husband to his wife Hila, who as soon as he met her knew that they were destined to get married, and a brother and son were admired by his parents and three younger brothers.
Itai Perry z"l with his family, photo: courtesy of the family
Perry's wife eulogized him at the funeral: "I love you so much words cannot describe. I'm so sad that my body can't contain the sorrow. You were my happiness, you balanced me, you calmed me down. You always supported me, believed in me and were always optimistic and saw the positive side of things."
"Longing is actually just beginning"
"People like you just don't have. There is no one who did not love you, there is no heart that you did not conquer with your hearty smile and shining eyes. Heart of gold and huge, so huge! How you loved us. Ido, Gil Uri and me. I know you liked it because you didn't miss an opportunity to show us. I want to tell you that I'll be strong and I'll overcome and look after the children, but honestly, right now I don't know how I'm going to do it."
"I want to tell you that you got to see our three amazing children and thank you for the gifts you left me. But God, they're so small you haven't seen them grow yet. I want to tell you that we had a full and perfect life and everything was so good. But it was so so short. I want to tell you that we saved every minute, but they took you away from us in your last two months. I want to tell you that you're a hero but you didn't want to be a hero. You just wanted your life back."
"We had a beautiful time until October 7, we were both at home with Oriki who was just born, you finished building the outdoor kitchen you invested so much in. We appreciated every minute! We knew it wasn't a given, you enjoyed every second, you didn't give up a day with us. Oriki got to know you so closely in such a short time. As if you knew the worst was going to happen. But we've been missing you for two months, we haven't spoken for a week. And the longing is just beginning."
Itai Perry z"l with his wife, photo: courtesy of the family
"I didn't allow myself to be afraid, I was really, really optimistic, that maybe you really were in a place that wasn't as dangerous as you said, I didn't allow myself to think that there was a chance you wouldn't come back. We promised the children!!! You promised to be at Ido's second grade Hanukkah party. He's still waiting for you to come back and celebrate his birthday together!"
"I was afraid we were too good"
"This week the picture of the wedding fell for a moment I thought maybe, but I immediately erased the thought. I wrote to you all week so that you come back and be able to complete all the moments that were. For a moment I thought you might not see these messages, but I didn't believe there really was such a situation. But on the other hand, I was afraid that we were too good, that you were too good, and that it's not a cliché that it happens to the best."
"I told the boys this morning, Ido continues to ask us to look for a cure, it was hard for him but in the end he said that you are in our hearts, and that later on we can be happy like before you left. He's a smart and sensitive kid, some special combination. Sweet age lives in a world of his own, just waiting for you to come back. He still doesn't understand. And Oriki..."
Itai Perry z"l with his son, photo: courtesy of the family
"My Etyush! It was too short but it was good! I know you loved us, I know you knew and felt that we loved you. I'm surrounded by people who love you and me but I'm alone, so alone! It's the worst ending there can be. I don't know how to proceed from here. But I feel that in the end we will find the way. I know you trust me to be capable."
"So even though it seems impossible to me right now, I promise to do everything, everything to protect, protect and love the children from your heart as well."
Itai was the eldest son of Nathan and Ahuva Perry. He grew up and was educated in Reut and Modi'in, where he also established his home with Hila. During his reserve service, he served as a liaison in the Jonathan Battalion 8111, and his commander said that Itai was identified by two things: the constant smile on his face and the coffee packet he carried with him everywhere.
"He had a huge heart, a tremendous sensitivity to everyone around him, who saw a mission in his reserve service," the commander said. His friends tell of a humble, purposeful and courageous man.
Itai reported for reserve duty on Saturday, October 7, and spent the last month fighting in Gaza. In one of his last pictures, he was photographed with a drawing made for him by his eldest son Ido, in which he wrote to him how much he missed him and asked him to take care of himself. His family last spoke to him a week ago.
Oren, Itai Perry's friend, eulogized him: "Dear friend, rest in peace." Modiin Mayor Haim Bibas eulogized Perry: "We received a harsh announcement this morning. Itai grew up, was educated and raised a family here in the city."
Itai, who served as a company liaison in the battalion, is survived by his wife Hila and small children. In his picture distributed by the IDF, he holds with me a picture of a heart drawn by his son, alongside the chilling caption: "I love you. I miss it. Dad hopes you won't get hurt."
Itai was buried at noon in the military section of the cemetery in Modi'in.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us