"Don't ask how, just get up and do it": Remembering hero Staff Sgt. Naor Haimov
When loved ones speak of Staff Sgt. Naor Haimov, their words are filled with warmth, deep longing and immense pride. Naor, a soldier in the elite Multidimensional Unit, was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip on October 29, 2024, at just 22 years old. His short life was marked by tireless dedication, leadership, love for others and an unwavering desire to give.
A bond of love and kindness
"Naor was a special child," his father, Yitzhak, recalls. "He had a way of connecting with people wherever he went. He was the glue that brought everyone together, a natural leader whom others gravitated toward. And whatever he set his mind to, he succeeded."
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Naor grew up in Rosh HaAyin, where he attended the religious Atid school. His childhood was filled with playful mischief, a passion for music and a deep respect for everyone around him.
His friends remember him as someone who was always there for others. He served as a leader and counselor in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, while his free time reflected his many interests, from challenging workouts and sports to playing music and singing.
Yet beneath his captivating smile and boundless energy lay extraordinary inner strength. When his mother, Anat, a warmhearted woman known for her kindness, died at a young age, Naor refused to let grief overwhelm him. Instead, he chose to grow through the pain, find strength in her memory and honor her legacy through acts of kindness.
"No excuses, no messing around"
Before enlisting, Naor spent two years in a pre-military preparatory program, where his determination to become a combat soldier took shape. He enlisted in the Golani Brigade, completed the demanding selection process and was accepted into the elite Multidimensional Unit. For Naor, military service was far more than an obligation. It was part of who he was.
Naor's dedication to his team and his country was unwavering. Even after injuring his ankle during training and being granted medical leave, he refused to stay home while his fellow soldiers continued training. "There's no way I'm staying home while my team is out there doing the hard work," he said, determined to return to his unit. Naor often declared, "If I'm going to die in battle, let it be defending my homeland."
He was killed in combat in Gaza after being struck by an explosion while his team was clearing the last of 10 buildings.
"Just get up and start doing"
Naor's absence has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who loved him. His friends remember him as someone they admired, a genuine, down-to-earth young man who embraced life, dreamed big and never hesitated to take action. His legacy is captured in the words he lived by: "Don't ask how, just get up and start doing."
Naor gave his life out of love for his people and his country, just as he had lived, with unwavering faith, an open heart and no excuses.
Staff Sgt. Naor Haimov of the Multidimensional Unit was killed in combat on October 29, 2024. He was 22 years old.
May his memory be a blessing.
Staff Sergeant
Naor Haimov