IDF Soldier, Son Of Rabbi From Kochav Yaakov, Falls In Gaza Fighting

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The IDF announced the name of captain (res.) Harel Sharvit, who fell in battle in Gaza.

Sharvit, 33, was a resident of Kokhav Ya’akov. He served in Brigade 551, as an officer in Battalion 7008.

“The Binyamin Council and the community of Kokhav Ya’akov embrace the parents, Rabbi Yitzhak and Noga Sharvit, and the entire family. We will continue to support them in everything they need,” the local council said in its announcement.

תכירו את : סרן הראל שרביט, ז״ל..לפני מותו:

נוטע עץ בעזה “לא נשכח אף אחד מאחורה, עם ישראל חי”…..
הלב נקרע 💔יהי זכרו ברוך🙏🏻😪 https://t.co/PLilX40Jsr pic.twitter.com/GZnoyFVXVD

— מה חדש. What’s new❓ (@Gloz111) December 29, 2023

Harel became famous after he planted a tree in the former region of Gush Katif, stating that he was doing it in the merit of Amiram Ben-Uliel, who is serving a life sentence after allegedly setting a fire in an Arab village in which several family members died. Ben-Uliel claims that his confession came under duress and has denied involvement in the act. When Harel planted the tree he came under criticism for mentioning Ben-Uliel, with some left-wing elements calling for his dismissal. The IDF decided not to dismiss him but stated that his act was “not in accordance with IDF values.”

At Harel’s levaya his father Rabbi Yitzchak said Shema Yisrael and the hundreds of participants answered in turn. Rabbi Sharvit said that his son’s last words were “This is the last battle.” Harel had previously told his father that “We are going to bring revenge.”

The father called on the people of Israel who don’t keep Shabbat to “at least keep this Shabbat, stating that “You will merit satisfaction like that of the garden of Eden. Return O Israel to Hashem your G-d.”