"Gentle, charming and an angel": The story and legacy of Staff Sgt. Noam Bitan
Staff Sgt. Noam Bitan, a dedicated soldier in the Givati Brigade, was killed in combat in Rafah on May 18, 2024. He left behind a loving family and friends who remember him as an extraordinary young man who radiated warmth, joy and positive energy, and whose heroism in his final moments saved the lives of his fellow soldiers.
A radiant spirit and a heart that embraced everyone
"Noam was born on May 22, in the spring, my favorite time of year," his mother, Hanna Bitan, recalls wistfully. "When he was born, my father-in-law looked at him and told me, 'This boy is going to be the most beautiful child.' And he really was the most beautiful child." His sister Hodaya remembers the light he carried within him. "He was just such a special kid. You would look at him and see this light radiating from him, this incredible positive energy."
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His brother Hagai recalls his playful, mischievous nature. "What I remember most from childhood is Noam being the mischievous little boy who did all the things I never had the courage to do, and somehow always got away with everything." Noam was someone who never intentionally hurt anyone, earning a reputation for his gentle manners and kindness.
He treated everyone as equals, and at school, he never distinguished between the popular students and those who were less socially accepted. "To him, no one was invisible." He was particularly close to his sister, with whom he loved dancing, filming videos and having deep conversations punctuated by endless laughter. With his brother Hagai, he shared a love of hiking, soccer and basketball.
"All that mattered was becoming a combat soldier"
During high school, Noam underwent a significant personal transformation. His coach took him under his wing, and Noam began running and participating in marathons. The experience strengthened his determination to push himself further and aim higher. His mother recalls once noticing a large sign above his bed that read "Sayeret Matkal," referring to the IDF's elite General Staff Reconnaissance Unit. When she asked him about it, he replied confidently, "That's what you see."
He eventually enlisted in the Givati Brigade, becoming the first combat soldier in his family and fulfilling a dream his older brother Hagai had been unable to realize himself. His commanders later described him as the ideal soldier, someone who combined natural leadership abilities with friendship, humor and camaraderie. During the war, he was even appointed a squad leader despite never having completed the formal squad commanders' course.
The final battle in Rafah and the devastating news
On Saturday, May 18, Noam was operating as a designated marksman at the front of his unit in Rafah. While entering a building, he stumbled over rocks and wooden planks. As he got back to his feet, he immediately realized he had stepped on an explosive device. Displaying remarkable composure, he alerted his team over the radio. An immediate withdrawal was ordered, but just three seconds after Noam exited the building, the explosive detonated. Noam and a fellow soldier were killed. His brother Hagai finds some comfort in knowing that Noam's quick thinking saved others. "If they hadn't noticed it, all the guys from the Namer armored personnel carrier could have been inside the building when it collapsed. By recognizing what was happening, he saved lives."
Less than a day earlier, on Friday, Noam had spoken with his sister. "He showed me how much he loved me, much more than he usually did. I felt something was different. It felt like a goodbye." On Saturday evening, the devastating news reached the family home. His mother, who had spent the entire day suffering from stomach pains and a growing sense of dread, recalls the moment she was told of her son's death. "I couldn't keep my feet on the floor. I just started jumping, as if someone had poured boiling water over the soles of my feet, and screaming in anguish."
His message: "Just live"
Noam's absence is deeply felt at home and at family gatherings, but his loved ones strive to honor his memory by holding on to the joy and love of life that defined him. His brother Hagai reflects on the unspoken message his younger brother left behind: "I think if he were looking down at us now, he would tell us one thing: Just live. Noam was someone who found joy in life's smallest moments. Just live, enjoy the moment and the time you spend together. Don't dwell on the past. Try to find happiness in life."
Staff Sgt. Noam Bitan of the Givati Brigade was killed in combat on May 18, 2024. He was 20 years old.
May his memory be a blessing.
Staff Sergeant
Noam Bitan