Moshe Naftali

Terror victim SSgt. Moshe Naftali laid to rest

Golani staff sergeant who was killed while engaging terrorists involved in Thursday's murderous attack on south buried in Mount Herzl

Akiva Novik|Published: 08.19.11 , 13:05

Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali, 22, a Golani Reconnaissance unit combatant from the settlement of Ofra, who was killed in Thursday's terror attack in southern Israel, was laid to rest on Friday, at the Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem.

Naftali was killed while the patrol he was a part of engaged terrorists near the Israel-Egypt border. The cell's killing spree claimed the lives of nine people and left dozens of others injured.

Escalation in south

Hundreds of friends, comrades and family members accompanied Naftali on his last journey. "We can't seem to wake up from this nightmare. We don’t understand how this happened. Moshe didn’t just die. He gave his life, a hero for the State of Israel," his sister, Tiferet Naftali eulogized him.

"You’re 22-years-old. You'll never grow older. But you will in my heart. Even when I'll become older than you, you will always be my big brother."

The terrorists who attacked Naftali's patrol used a roadside bomb against their vehicles and opened fire on the troops as they exited the damaged cars. One of their bullets killed him.

The final journey (Photo: Noam Moskovich)

Lieutenant-Colonel Kobi Heler, commander of the Golani Reconnaissance unit, also eulogized Naftali: "Moshe was killed leading his troops heroically. He was the salt of the earth. He loved this land and gave his life protecting it. Even now, his unit carries on, humbled, but holding their head up high."

Ofra Rabbi Avi Gissar was next: "Your comrades and neighbors are all here. These people are the soul and strength of this nation. This land was given to those willing to die for it, for its defense and their faith."