Singer and reservist Idan Amedi performed at the funeral of Sergeant First Class Ran Gvili on Wednesday at the cemetery in his hometown of Meitar, days after taking part in the operation to recover Gvili’s body from Gaza.
Amedi sang his song “Nigmar” (“It’s Over”) during the funeral ceremony.
Idan Amedi honors slain hostage Ran Gvili with song at funeral
(Video: GPO)
Thousands attended Gvili’s funeral procession and memorial service in Meitar. His coffin was brought from the military rabbinate base at Camp Shura, escorted by a police convoy, after a ceremony held there earlier Wednesday to honor what authorities described as the last fallen captive whose body was recovered.
Gvili, who held the rank of sergeant first class, was later laid to rest at the local cemetery.
Amedi, who recently returned to reserve duty after being severely wounded during fighting in Gaza, took part alongside other fighters in the mission to retrieve Gvili’s body from the Gaza Strip.
The funeral was attended by Gvili’s family, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and other public figures.
During the ceremony, Gvili’s mother, Talik Gvili, delivered a eulogy, addressing her son directly.
“I just wanted to tell you, my beloved child, that the hope you might return to us on two legs, or even on one leg, gave us hope,” she said. “Rani, my love, I promise you that thanks in large part to you, the entire people of Israel remembered that despite all the disagreements, we are one big, strong people.”
Addressing Hamas, she added, “You tried to frighten the people of Israel. Look at what remains of you. Know this, Rani and the heroes of the kingdom give us the strength to erase you.”