‘Keep going, keep going’: The story and leadership of Maj. Aryeh Ziering
He was a shy child who became an admired commander, an uncompromising professional and a leader who met people at eye level. Even under heavy fire at Camp Yiftah on Oct. 7, after he was wounded, he ordered his soldiers to “keep going, keep going” and charged forward. A farewell to Maj. Aryeh Ziering
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Maj. Aryeh Ziering, a company commander in the Oketz Unit, fell on Oct. 7, 2023, in battle at Camp Yiftah. He was 27. Aryeh left behind a legacy of uncompromising excellence, quiet leadership and deep humility. Through the memories of his family and friends emerges the portrait of an exceptional fighter and commander, one who believed in hard work and always cared for others before himself.
The curious child who became a quiet leader
“It is impossible to forget Aryeh as a baby and a child,” says his second cousin, Daniel Trotsky. “He had a mischievous, captivating smile.” His sister, Eli Ziering, adds with a smile: “He had a really huge smile, a little disproportionate to his face. And the other thing was his big, curious eyes. He was cheerful, and he loved to run and play.” Eli recalls how, even as a child, he showed a knack for organizing and leading: “He would get us all involved, wanting us to put on plays or little productions.”
According to Daniel, Aryeh was a quiet child, though he became more mischievous as he grew older. Eli describes the unusual mix in him: “He had a very childlike, silly side, full of laughter and joking, but only when he felt comfortable. In new situations, it was a little harder for him. He was quieter, a little shy. But once he felt at ease, he truly blossomed.”
Curiosity and a search for truth always defined him. “He would take charge of the conversation. He was always asking me questions,” Daniel recalls. Eli, who was very close to him in age, says with pride: “He set a very high standard for himself, and for those around him as well. He believed in taking the hard road, in hard work, as things do not come easily.”
The pre-military academy and the drive for excellence
Before enlisting, Aryeh chose to study at the Yonatan pre-military academy at Kibbutz Alumim. A friend from the academy, identified as D., remembers their first meeting: “You could immediately see he was an exceptional young man, big and serious. But the first thing that stood out was how modest and humble he was. He never tried to project anything he wasn’t.” D. says Aryeh excelled in sports and in his studies, yet remained “a simple, introverted person, with zero ego and zero desire to stand out above others.”
Alongside his shyness, Aryeh knew how to show a unique kind of joy. D. recalls how, as the duty cadet, he would wake the academy at 6 a.m. with songs and start dancing outside.
Preparing for military service brought out his tremendous willpower. D. recalls one unusual training session in which Aryeh brought snorkels from home so they could practice staying for half an hour in freezing water, in a winter puddle at the height of the cold. “I don’t think there is anyone who really practices that before going to a tryout,” he says.
Aryeh reached the Oketz Unit, served as a fighter in the assault company and later made the unusual decision to go to officers’ training while already serving as a career soldier.
A commander at eye level
As commander of Oketz’s training company, Aryeh left an indelible mark on his soldiers. Y., who served as his driver, describes him as a commander of rare integrity: “You never felt he was commanding from above. He was right there with the soldiers and did everything alongside them. Whatever he said, we always knew he stood behind it.”
On the Saturday of Simchat Torah, after receiving the first reports, Aryeh did not hesitate. He left his home, picked up a soldier and a dog from the Adam facility and drove south. They joined a Maglan force at Camp Yiftah and began clearing the operations room and evacuating the fallen.
During an exchange of fire with a terrorist hiding behind a large bush, Aryeh was hit in the shoulder. When his comrades turned to him and asked how he was, he answered with determination: “Keep going, keep going.” Moments later, he was struck in the head and killed on the spot.
“A commander or fighter in Oketz is not meant to be on the front line, but Aryeh was at the front, seeking contact,” Daniel says proudly. “He was proactive, charging forward with the goal of winning the battle there.”
Aryeh left behind an enormous void, but also a great light and a legacy of optimism and an unrelenting drive for excellence. As those who loved him say: “The value he gave to others made him a source of strength, inspiration and perspective. He remains present even today, still part of the glue that holds the family together, his strength continuing to hover over and reinforce them.”
Maj. Aryeh Ziering, Oketz Unit, fell on Oct. 7, 2023. He was 27.
May his memory be a blessing.
Major
Maj. Aryeh Ziering