We Will Never Forget Eliya
Our firstborn, beloved son, Staff Sergeant Eliya Hillel HY”D, a brave fighter in the Nachshon Battalion
of the Kfir Brigade, fell in the line of duty on May 30, 2024 (22 Iyar 5784), during an operational
mission in the Shomron.
Eliya was cherished by all who knew him—born a leader, with a heart that saw those others
overlooked. He lifted up those around him, always encouraging, always believing in others even
before they believed in themselves.
On Simchat Torah, Eliya insisted on joining the fighting in the south. He fought heroically at Kibbutz
Be’eri and later in Gaza, becoming a source of strength and inspiration for his fellow soldiers. During
a battle, a building collapsed on Eliya’s team. Though injured himself, Eliya calmly took command of
the evacuation. In a final sweep of the rubble, he spotted signs of life in his friend Harel Saidov, who
had mistakenly been presumed dead. Eliya delayed the evacuation of the wounded—saving his
friend’s life.
Three months later, Eliya was killed in a ramming attack at a checkpoint leading into the city of
Shechem (Nablus).
Eliya dreamed of building a home in Israel with his girlfriend Hadas. That dream was cut short—and
we never got the chance to see it come true.
In his memory, we are raising funds to write a Sefer Torah, to be placed in a synagogue that needs it.
With every reading from that Torah, Eliya’s name will be remembered for generations.
Alongside the Torah scroll, we also hope to renovate a spring in his memory, near the landscapes
where Eliya grew up, together with his friends.
Help us continue Eliya’s legacy—one of compassion, courage, and a living Torah.
Donations and receipts are handled by the nonprofit organization Keren Melo HaYad, Organization
No. 58028346.