Eliya Hillel

Elia, our firstborn, was the elder brother of Ido, Yinon, Tidhar, and Tehel. He studied in the ultra-Orthodox education system at a yeshiva in Jerusalem.

In the middle of 12th grade, he made the brave decision to leave and enlist in the IDF. Before his enlistment, he joined the pre-military academy in Peduel, where he set goals for himself and absorbed values that would guide him toward a meaningful military service.

Very early in his service, Elia was designated for a squad commanders’ course. During the war, he began the course, and later entered Gaza, where he was injured in an explosion during the clearing of a building, in which three of his comrades were killed. In that moment of crisis, Elia took command, evacuating both his wounded and fallen brothers-in-arms.

After a period of recovery, he returned to combat, successfully completed the squad commanders’ course, and went on to lead in the 90th Battalion’s support company, deployed in the West Bank. Elia was slated for officer training.

Elia was a man of action, filled with values rarely seen today. He was always willing to do everything for others — even for those he hardly knew. He carried out every task with integrity, from beginning to end, without complaints, always striving for the highest standard.

His guiding principle in life was a motto he lived by: “If you’re going to do something, do it to the fullest.” He made it his banner.

Elia fell in an operational mission in Nablus, in the Samaria Brigade’s sector, on the 22nd of Iyar 5784 (May 30, 2024). He was only 20 years old. May God avenge his blood.