Maj. (res.) Eliraz Gabay, 37, a soldier in Battalion 7810, Yiftach Brigade, is laid to rest today. Eliraz was wounded during the fighting and returned to fight in the Gaza Strip. He is survived by his parents, a sister, and an advanced pregnant woman, Coral, who is seven months pregnant.
Egoz Unit activity inside the Gaza Strip // IDF Spokesperson
Eliraz's mother, Aviva, said that "he really was a hero and an amazing child, although he didn't have to enlist, he wanted to enlist and fight with his friends." "He always liked to speak peacefully, saying that we are all brothers, we are all Jews, everyone fights shoulder to shoulder, no matter who. Even in the last video he sent on Friday of the team, when it was his turn to speak, he said, 'Together we will win.'"
Last week she saw him for the last time. "He was injured, and then he went on leave. Then he stayed for a few more days because his whole team went out to freshen up, and he came back with them on Thursday." She said: "His teammates loved him very, very much. Just a week ago, when he was here and they were in Gaza, they made a video and sang happy birthday to him. I always told him to take care of himself. I asked him before every mission to say 'Shema Yisrael,' and he always said, 'We are all fighting, pray for us to succeed. We didn't want him to go, but he didn't give up. He said, 'This is your education, you educated us to enlist, to love the country. After all, you were an educator in Israel, you educated us that way."
Eliraz Gabbay, who fell in battle in the Gaza Strip, with his wife Coral, photo: from Facebook
His wife Coral broke up with him on Instagram, posting, "What does a widow have to do with at 27? Your wife is always addicted and loves you at levels that hurt your body. The love of my life, my heart refuses to believe that she will never come back."
Carmela, Eliraz's aunt, "I called him when I heard he had been injured. And I asked him what about him. He said to me, 'Auntie, everything is fine. Just a little scratch.' I told him atonement for you, come back. You're injured, stay a little longer until you get better. So he replied: 'What do you make of it? It's all a small sliver." According to Carmela, "He was very principled, loved the country and what he did. Maybe they will be the last fallen. God willing, let them be the last and let him not enter any house."
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