On video: security camera footage of the theft of Elias Dagan's wine cart/Walla system!
When Elias Dagan (27) from Tel Aviv, was fighting in Gaza as a reserve fighter in the Nahal Brigade, he had no idea that when he returned to his home to refresh and rest, he would discover that valuable equipment that he used in the business from which he made a living was stolen from the door of his house. "When it happened, it just got dark My eyes," said Dagan to Walla! "I'm not a millionaire, and my father didn't throw money at me.
Everything I achieved was with 10 fingers and hard work."
Before being called up for reserve service on October 7, Dagan made a living from an independent wine cart and bar services business that he founded himself. As part of the business, Dagan would come to large events with the impressive cart he designed, which has a lot of equipment which was used to set up a mobile bar. When he went on leave from the war, after three weeks in Gaza, he was shocked to discover that the cart had been stolen, along with valuable equipment worth NIS 60,000.
Elias Dagan's mobile wine bar/courtesy of those photographed
"It's just an annoying coincidence, because in the end, if the war hadn't happened, everything in terms of business would have been great," Dagan said in frustration.
"The compensation fund didn't give me anything. They told me, 'We apologize, but you're falling through the cracks.' I suffered a huge financial loss, and now I don't know how I will recover from the situation."
Dagan has documentation from security cameras, where the license plate of the vehicle with which the thief arrived can be identified.
He filed a complaint with the police, but the cart has not yet been located and the suspect in the act has not been arrested.
Dagan is back fighting in Gaza, and he is not supposed to be released until next week.
The army has already informed him and his team members that they will receive another order at the end of the month, this time for operational employment in Judea and Samaria during the month of Ramadan.
In addition, Dagan said that a reservist, who had just returned from intensive combat, had difficulty returning straight to managing the business and closing other events.
The expected return to the reserves soon also prevents him from committing to events in the future.
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Elias Dagan in reserve service in Gaza/courtesy of those photographed
Despite the severe economic blow he suffered, Dagan refuses to give up and insists on finding a way to restore the business.
"How long can I cry over the spilled milk?" said Dagan.
"I decided that I will not sit idly by now and just wait for something to happen."
Dagan decided to produce a Purim wine party to be held at the DNA complex in the Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv.
"There will be dimmed lights and a classy atmosphere. We'll set up a DJ station there and the bars here will hand out glasses of wine to the guests," Dagan pointed enthusiastically at the complex, "I told myself that if I don't kick myself in the ass, no one will help me. This era of a cart is over The wine that was stolen from me. I now have to reinvent myself and my business."
Dagan concludes: "I spent four months feeling down and now I want to spread joy, laughter and fun, because that's what I know how to do and I don't know any other way. Even in the most difficult moments I had in Gaza, I got through everything with humor and laughter."
He invites people to come, enjoy and be happy at the event he organizes to improve his situation.
"We've been through hell lately and now we deserve to be truly happy. If it's people who want to go out and if it's reservists who want to hang out. In the end, the change and our new future will come from us."
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Gaza war