Betzalel David (Bambino) Shashuah OBM saved many lives, fell in battle: ‘He had a secret bottle of joy’
Staff Sgt. Betzalel David (Bambino) Shashuah, a fighter and medic in the Paratroopers Brigade, was killed in battle in the Gaza Strip on May 15, 2024 (7 Iyar 5784). Betzalel was the son of Galit and brother to Zohar, Bat Zion, Naomi and Yarden. He was only 21 when he fell, yet the legacy he left behind was a rare blend of quiet strength, uncompromising inner truth and bursting joy, and continues to resonate among all who knew him.
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Childhood: Sweet restlessness and a love of nature
From the beginning, Betzalel brought a special energy with him. His mother, Galit, recalls: “Betzalel was born on a Friday evening. A sweet child, always smiling, full of joy, full of energy. I remember he would jump, go and come back, constantly in motion.” Alongside that energy was a deep curiosity about the natural world. “He loved animals very much. He was especially interested in reptiles and snakes. Every Friday night at kiddush, he would tell us things he had learned about reptiles.” Betzalel was also known for his love of “wheels.” His mother smiles as she remembers: “Rollerblades were practically his legs. At one point I was afraid he would forget how to walk.”
A loyal brother and friend: ‘He was strong in character’
For his brother Zohar, Betzalel was not just family but a true anchor. “No matter what happened or how much we argued,” Zohar said, “if something happened at school and someone was bothering me, he knew how to put everything aside and be there for me at that moment.” Zohar added: “Once, when we went up to the grave and had to say something, I said he was a brother. When we think about a brother, we say he should be loyal, fun to be with, helpful, a living spirit, a connecting presence, a sense of family and belonging. All of that can be said about Betzalel.”
His friends describe him as “the glue” of the group. Natan Tzuberi, a childhood friend, spoke of his strong character: “I think he was very manly, strong in personality. As a friend, you could always lean on him. He would set everything aside, focus on you and make you feel completely OK.” Another friend, Sinai Abargel, described Betzalel’s natural joy: “Betzalel was someone whose happiness came from within. I need something to make me happy. Betzalel was happy from the inside. He had a secret bottle of joy he could open inside himself and happiness would burst out of him and make everyone else happy.”
Service in the Paratroopers: A medic at heart
Betzalel insisted on meaningful combat service. “He knew he wanted to go combat. He prepared himself,” his mother said. Although he aspired to command, he went to a medic’s course and returned fulfilled. Sinai recalled Betzlel’s promise to his friends: “He came back over the moon because he understood what he had in his hands. He told us, ‘I’ll be here to save you, don’t worry.’” He proved himself a composed soldier. “They sent him to the medic course because they saw he had composure and what it takes,” Sinai said. “He carried abnormal weights every chance he got.”
The final battle and an unwritten testament
On his final entry into Gaza, Betzalel was assigned to a medical team. He knew the risk. When his mother asked him about it, he answered simply: “No, Mom, it’s more dangerous.” He was killed inside a building by accidental fire from Israeli forces while carrying out his mission with dedication. His mother, Galit, said: “He did an excellent job. He saved quite a few and provided life-saving medical treatment under fire while truly risking himself.”
The legacy Betzalel leaves is one of integrity and courage. His brother Zohar summed it up: “The idea of living life as you believe is right, with inner truth, that your mouth and heart are aligned. And the courage, even knowing life is bigger than you, to go there and give your maximum, just as he did, with a smile.” His friends seek to continue his path. “Take his unique personality and apply it within ourselves,” they said. “Picture him in your mind and remember that in the end we are one people, and what needs to be done must be done.”
May his memory be a blessing.
Staff Sergeant
Betzalel David Shashuah OBM