Sergeant Or Shahar from kibbutz Yad Mordechai, who was killed overnight by a Hizbullah mortar shell in the southeast Lebanese village of Nabi al-Awadi, was supposed to celebrate his 21st birthday Sunday.
A mood of heavy mourning was felt in the kibbutz he grew up on, as dozens of friends and neighbors arrived at his family's home to express their condolences.
Or was survived by his father, who serves as the kibbutz’s secretary, and his mother, who works as a dental hygienist. He also left behind two siblings, Ofer, 17, and Shahaf, 13. He will be laid to rest Sunday at the Military Cemetery on the kibbutz.
Or’s friends and classmates assembled by his home, attempting to deal with the bitter news of his death.
Daniel Kasher, Or’s friend, said, “He was the best person I ever met. He never had a bad intention. He served in Gaza a year ago and always said 'things would be okay'.” Others recalled his “fantastic sense of humor.”
Or planned to travel abroad after his release from the army in a few months, and then to return to Israel to study film editing.
Another friend said: “He had a great eye for film editing, computer knowledge and love of books. He also liked parties and socializing.”
Another friend noted that they had not thought to be so concerned for Or, “since some of our other friends were more involved in combat, and we can’t believe that he fell in the end. He always cared about everyone, knew what was happening with them and where there were. We’ll miss him so much.”