3 Fallen Soldiers Who Make Up the Fabric of Israeli Society
In exclusive interviews with The Media Line for Israel’s Memorial Day, families of three fallen soldiers reflect on their loved ones’ humanity, leadership, and sacrifice amid Israel’s ongoing war
On Tuesday night, Israel marked the beginning of the second Memorial Day since Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, more than 620 Israeli soldiers have been killed across multiple battlefields. Behind the staggering numbers are personal stories of courage, sacrifice, and enduring humanity. The families of Capt. Shir Eilat, Lt. Col. Salman Habaka, and Sgt. Ofer Yung shared such stories in exclusive interviews with The Media Line.
These soldiers’ lives, cut short amid the violence, contain not only stories of battlefield bravery but a commitment to principles of empathy, leadership, and selfless service—traits that, their families insist, must not be forgotten.
Capt. Shir Eilat: Leadership Without Walls
At just 20 years old, Capt. Shir Eilat led a team of observation soldiers stationed at the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border. On October 7, 2023, she faced one of the deadliest assaults in Israel’s history with a calmness that belied her age.
Capt. Shir Eilat. (Courtesy)
“She was like quiet waters that run deep,” Shir’s older sister, Lior Alon, told The Media Line. “Shir achieved so much without making noise, always thinking about others rather than herself.”
Shir had voluntarily extended her military service to help train new recruits—a choice that reflected her philosophy of leading through empathy rather than command distance. “She called me crying when she started her new role because she didn’t know how to be the ‘tough’ commander they expected,” Lior recalled. “I told her: lead as you are—with kindness and humanity. And she did. Her soldiers loved her for it.”
On the morning of October 7,2023, as terrorists breached the border, Shir’s voice was heard in recorded communications, coordinating responses and alerting reinforcements, even as her base came under direct attack.
“If you listen to her recordings, you wouldn’t believe she was just 20 years old,” Lior said. “She stayed calm, made sure her soldiers were OK, and kept trying to save them until the very end.”
Beyond her actions on the battlefield, Shir left behind a reflection that resonates profoundly. In a short essay titled Command Courage, written during her officer training, she emphasized the moral responsibility of leadership.
True command courage is the ability to lead with principles even when the system is rigid. It means making difficult decisions, protecting those under your care, and never giving up your values—even when it costs you.
“True command courage is the ability to lead with principles even when the system is rigid,” Shir wrote. “It means making difficult decisions, protecting those under your care, and never giving up your values—even when it costs you.”
Capt. Shir Eilat. (Courtesy)
Her family hopes she will be remembered not only for how she died but for how she lived. “Remember her smiling, laughing, uniting people,” her sister said. “She was like an angel, a friend to everyone, someone who always cared for the weakest around her.”
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Shir’s words and actions remain a testament to the idea that leadership, at its best, is an act of humanity.
Lt. Col. Salman Habaka: Duty, Unity, and Sacrifice
Lt. Col. Salman Habaka, 33, commander of the 53rd Battalion of the 188th Armored Brigade, rose to national prominence after leading a courageous rescue at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023. Without waiting for formal orders, he mobilized his troops and led tanks into the besieged community, fighting for 48 hours and saving dozens of civilians.
Salman’s father, Imad Habaka, described his son as “a deeply human person who simply could not watch someone suffer without helping.” Speaking to The Media Line, he said, “Even as a boy, Salman could not rest if he saw someone in distress. He had to act.”
Lt. Col. Salman Habaka. (Courtesy)
His path to leadership was shaped by a Druze upbringing that emphasized duty to the state and to fellow citizens. “Our sons are taught that living in Israel means also defending it,” his father said. “It was part of who he was.”
Salman studied at a boarding school during his teenage years, and even then, he demonstrated a profound sense of responsibility. “When he came home for the weekends, instead of resting, he would go to the hospital to relieve me in caring for his brother, who was sick with multiple sclerosis,” Imad recalled. “That’s who he was—always giving up his time for others.”
In a message to his troops before entering Gaza, Salman wrote, “We are honored to go out and defend the house. … Our strength is our unity.”
On November 2, 2023, he was killed while assisting a fellow commander during a battle in northern Gaza. He left behind his wife, Erin, and a young son named Imad.
Lt. Col. Salman Habaka with his family. (Courtesy)
Salman knew how to face the nation and strengthen it. He taught us that if we are united, we are strong.
His family says they want him remembered not only as a hero who saved lives but as a leader who embodied unity and selflessness in every action. “Salman knew how to face the nation and strengthen it,” his father said. “He taught us that if we are united, we are strong.”
Reflecting on the personal cost of his son’s death, he added, “Sacrificing a son for the sake of the country is a sacred cause. It is painful, it is mourning, but it must be done for the country.”
Sgt. Ofer Yung: Quiet Strength and Final Sacrifice
Sgt. Ofer Yung, 39, a reservist and environmental engineer, fell on February 4, 2025, during a terrorist infiltration at a military base in the West Bank. For his family, this year marks the first Memorial Day without him.
Born to a Chilean-Israeli family, Ofer was known for his sharp intellect, humility, and quiet strength. “He never judged anyone,” his father, Jorge Yung, told The Media Line. “He saw the human being in everyone.”
Sgt. Ofer Yung. (Courtesy)
A dedicated athlete from a young age, Ofer practiced judo for years, competing with the same calm and sportsmanship he showed in life. He later combined his love for nature and science by studying environmental engineering, determined to make a positive impact without ever seeking the spotlight.
On the morning he fell, Ofer had just finished a night shift at the base. Woken by the sound of gunfire, he quickly dressed and ran outside—not to protect himself, but to help a fellow soldier who had been shot while trying to reach his car. Without hesitation, Ofer rushed to rescue him, fully aware of the risks.
“He was very fast, very agile,” his father said. “He saw his friend wounded at the entrance and ran to pull him to safety. He didn’t know that the terrorist had already broken into the base.”
Ofer was shot from behind as he tried to reach his comrade, falling beside him—a final act of brotherhood and courage that cost him his life.
He died trying to save someone else. That was Ofer. Always thinking of others first, always moving toward danger if it meant helping someone in need.
“He died trying to save someone else,” Jorge said. “That was Ofer. Always thinking of others first, always moving toward danger if it meant helping someone in need.”
Sgt. Ofer Yung. (Courtesy)
Reflecting on the life his son lived, Jorge added: “Work hard. Stay positive. Think of others. That’s how Ofer lived—and that’s how he should be remembered.”
A Shared Legacy
Though they came from different family backgrounds, the lives of Shir Eilat, Salman Habaka, and Ofer Yung intersect in the values they carried: compassion, loyalty, leadership, and the quiet, unwavering courage to act for others.
As Israel pauses this Memorial Day to honor its fallen, the stories shared by their families offer a lasting reminder: behind every name are dreams, sacrifices, and values that endure long after the battle ends.
