‘Trust me, I’ll take care of you’: Remembering Sgt. Amitai Alon
From his earliest days, Amitai Alon’s life was shaped by love of family and a deep instinct to give and serve others. When he was just 10 months old, his mother, Hagit, left home to help mobilize her reserve brigade during the Second Lebanon War. When she returned two months later, little Amitai greeted her by taking his first steps toward her. Those steps marked the beginning of a life defined by integrity, values and quiet leadership.
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Amitai, who was 19 when he was killed, grew into a young man who drew people to him wherever he went. As a child, he was nicknamed “Polpol,” and a relative later wrote the children’s book “Polpol’s Dimples,” inspired by him and centered on loving and accepting others.
He was a people person; a wonderful host who always looked after everyone around him. He loved nature, parties and ATVs, and embraced life with infectious joy and a smile that was impossible to miss.
Alongside that zest for life, Amitai stood out for his devotion to his parents, the warmth he showed his grandparents and the endless care he gave his family and friends. His signature phrase, “Trust me, I’ll take care of you,” captured who he was: someone who treated others as equals, acted with humility and modesty and, regardless of religion, race or background, made everyone feel valued and important.
Growing up in a family with a strong military background, enlistment in the IDF felt like a natural path. Although he gave up other opportunities, Amitai knew exactly where he wanted to serve: the Golani Reconnaissance Unit.
He worked hard, passed the demanding selection process and joined the unit filled with pride and motivation. His ambitions were considerable. He dreamed of becoming an officer and steadily rising through the ranks. In a letter to his future self written while still in high school, he predicted that one day he would become a battalion commander in the IDF.
Those dreams were cut short on Oct. 13, 2024, when Amitai was killed in a drone strike at the Golani Brigade training base. Just minutes before the attack, he had spoken with his mother, reassuring her as he always did. His final words to her were: “I love you, Mom.”
Amitai’s death left a profound void and immense darkness among his family and friends, but it also left behind a powerful legacy of love, mutual responsibility and pure kindness. In his memory, his family dedicated an ornate Torah scroll, reflecting the deep connection to Jewish tradition and faith that he had carried with him since his bar mitzvah.
Those who loved him continue to carry forward the light he brought into their lives, remembering his joy, his humility and his rare ability to see the good in everyone.
Sgt. Amitai Alon of the Golani Infantry Brigade was killed on Oct. 13, 2024. He was 19.
May his memory be a blessing.
Sergeant
Amitai Alon