Osher: Happiness cut short

Father of Staff Sergeant Osher Damari had a hard time sleeping last night despite speaking to his son. A short while later IDF representatives arrived at his home to inform him: Osher was killed in operation in Nablus

Raanan Ben-Zur
Published: 07.17.06, 17:37 / Israel News

Early Monday morning Jerar Damari woke up suddenly. "I was pacing at home, I couldn't sleep. I had a bad feeling," he said hours after IDF representatives arrived to his home to inform him that his son, Osher, 21, was killed during an IDF operation in Nablus.

Osher Killed in Action

IDF soldier killed in Nablus / Efrat Weiss

Combat soldiers from Haruv Battalion enter West Bank city in order to capture wanted Palestinians. Powerful explosive device hurled by gunmen explodes, killing First Sergeant Osher Damari and wounding six other troops, including son of Central Command chief

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Osher was born and raised in the coastal city of Netanya. The family has a business called "Flowers of Happiness," named after their first born son Osher (Osher means Happiness in Hebrew). Lately the family moved the Emek Hefer. "He loved the beach and the house we bought near the beach." said his father.

Was up for excellence award. Damari (Reproduction photo: Ido Erez)

Jerar Damari said Osher wanted to serve in combat unit in the IDF. Following pre-service examinations Osher was chosen to serve in Haruv commando unit.

"He loved the army and wanted to be combat soldier, nothing less. There was a time when he was transferred to another unit and could have stayed there and go home every day, but he contested the transfer and fought hard get back to his unit."

The last conversation Jerar had with his son was held on Sunday. Osher said during the conversation that the unit had just returned from a tour in Nablus and that he was in his room listening to music. Later on he spoke with Shoval, his 11 year-old sister, and told her that everything was fine.

"In the morning a friend called and told us of the operation in Nablus. We called Osher many times but there was no answer. We left messages but he didn't return our calls. Then came the IDF representatives, and we understood that he was killed," said the father.

Jerar Damari said his son was supposed to attend a ceremony and receive an IDF excellence award.

"I still can't come to terms with Osher’s death. Perhaps I will when I see him and understand that he is gone," the father said.

Osher is survived by his parents Abigail and Jerar, and two siblings, Yuval and Shoval.

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