Bedouin IDF Driver Killed On Northern Border By Hezbollah Anti-Tank Missile

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Sharif Sawad, a resident of Ras al-Ein, a Bedouin Arab village in the Galilee, was killed overnight (Thursday) as a result of an anti-tank missile strike on the area of Har Dov on Israel’s northern border. The 35-year-old Sawad is survived by his wife and two children.

Sawad, a member of a large Bedouin tribe which has contributed a lot to the IDF over the years, worked as a truck diver for the IDF as part of infrastructure work to create a barrier on Har Dov on the Hermon border. The work is mostly carried out at night, in virtually complete darkness, in order not to be seen by Hezbollah surveillance.

The Israeli driver’s truck was hit by an anti-tank missile after being tracked by Hezbollah. An evacuation operation took several long minutes under fire and included artillery cover and airstrikes.

Hamovil Hahadash, for which Sawad worked, published a statement, stating: “We are hurting and grieving the death of Sharif Sawad, a driver for our company, in the line of service as a truck driver on the northern border from an anti-tank missile strike. Sharif was an esteemed truck driver and an outstanding worker. Warm condolences at this dark hour.”

Ibrahim, Sharif’s uncle, eulogized: “We lost a dear father and family man. Yesterday afternoon we saw him at home, that was the last time. At around 3:00 in the morning, we received the bitter news. A young father who went to work so the children would have food came back in a plastic bag. Very sad, a huge loss, and the time has come that this ends, it’s a pity all of our young people’s lives, it doesn’t matter what religion or sect they’re from.”