On video: the funeral of Sergeant Oz Daniel 26.02.24/Shlomi Gabai
Thousands came today (Monday) to accompany Sergeant Oz Daniel, 19 years old from Kfar Saba, who was kidnapped to Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and declared an IDF soldier, on his last journey. His funeral was held at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba. On the sides of the road from the family's house to the cemetery , many flocked to pay their last respects to him with Israeli flags in their hands.
His mother Merev paid tribute to him and shared the great pain along with the promise to move on. "With the confirmation of your abduction, we chose to look only on the optimistic side since you will be missed, we believed that you would return safe and sound," said his mother Merev "I asked all the many and dear ones who have supported us in the past months to also have complete faith and this feeling that for me there was no other option - you will return.
But in fact we learned that you were killed already on the first day of the war.
My Uzi, I can imagine the anger you had at the time of the kidnapping.
I knew how to imagine your look, your body movements.
You are a true hero, you fought until the last moment and that is why you died in battle."
"You worried that if something happened to you then what would happen to me.
And I want to tell you, my Uzi, may your soul rest in peace.
I'm hurting and broken, but don't worry about us, our child, I'll be strong for you, for Hadar and for dad.
Your soul will always be with us and the light you always spread everywhere.
I miss you so much Oz, my beloved and precious boy.
Rest in peace our hero."
The funeral of Sergeant Oz Daniel/Shlomi Gabbai
The funeral of Sergeant Oz Daniel/Shlomi Gabbai
Lt. Col. Naria Shmuel Yeshuron delivered his farewell words on behalf of the IDF:
"What should be said to a family that has waited so long for their son who still hasn't returned?
I think I actually do know you a little bit or at least your place of birth which indicates quite a bit about who you are.
From the first moment I set foot in your house, I was captivated by the charm of your family.
You strived for contact with the enemy until the bitter end with exactly the same spirit that you drew from your parents' house.
I am sure that the spirit in which you raised Oz will continue to make an impact for many years to come."
"As a representative of the IDF, and as a representative of the 7th Brigade whose commander and soldiers are still fighting at this time, I send you my condolences and pray for the return of all the abductees to their bosom of sanity and for the recovery of the wounded."
The funeral of Sergeant Oz Daniel/Shlomi Gabbai
Father Amir at the funeral of Oz Daniel, Kfar Saba Military Cemetery, February 26, 2024/Shlomi Gabai
Father Amir paid tribute and asked to be worthy of the heroes who fell in the war.
"We are gathering today in an unimaginable situation - we lost our dear and beloved Oz," said his father Amir.
"There are no words that can describe the difficulty and the feelings. 4 and a half months of dealing with the knowledge that Atev was kidnapped and an endless struggle to generate faith, hope and a happy ending."
"Yesterday at eight in the morning we received news that you have been gone since October 7. My beloved Oz, thank you for the privilege of being by your side for 19 years. Amazing years with a sensitive child who loves people and respects full of curiosity and joy of life with an inexplicable creative joy. Thank you for magical moments, For pride and infinite meaning that you took care to give me your pains. Rest in peace my child. Watch over us from above and send us strength to face. Heroes fell and fall for our one country and in their death commanded us life. Let's decide to be worthy of them will be called for unity and not division for love and the way of the land."
Mother Merav at the funeral of Oz Daniel, Kfar Saba military cemetery, February 26, 2024/Shlomi Gabai
The funeral of Sergeant Oz Daniel/Shlomi Gabbai
Hadar, his twin sister, told about their common birthday that is coming up, and about the new family that came in unwillingly - the family of the abductees.
"There will be no more Oz. In two weeks Oz and I were supposed to celebrate our 20th birthday together and honestly I don't see myself being able to celebrate my birthday again without Oz because how is it possible? But I also know my brother and know that this is not what he wants to happen so I I promise to try not only to hurt on this day," Hadar said.
"Thanks to Oz, I met a new family. A family that did not choose to be created and here it was created anyway, the families of the abductees. So thank you Oz that thanks to you I met brothers and sisters who will remain in my life even if you will not be here. A family that is here with us the whole way. Throughout the whole period we stood together as a family. The extended family strengthens and loves each other the feminine and so we will continue both for us and for you. On a personal note, I would like to say thank you to the entire huge family that has accompanied us from the beginning. Oz was born a warrior and you made me like this. We will continue to fight until the end that Oz returns home and all the other abductees."
The twin sister at Oz Daniel's funeral, Kfar Saba Military Cemetery, February 26, 2024/Shlomi Gabai
Oz Daniel/courtesy of those photographed
His close friend Roy told about Oz, and promised that he will remember him forever.
"I wish I had the words to articulate it and the logic to understand what is happening here, but I will try," said Oz.
"Today I lost a brother in this war. We fight our little wars. Since you are missing, there is a huge hole in my heart."
"Dear friend, you were everything you should be and that was everything to me. Your charming smile, your father to people. You lifted me up and taught me the beauty of life. I will forever miss our connection, the long days, the music and the jams that were our holy of holies. The melody Yours will echo in my head forever."
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funerals
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