Sgt. Sa'id Jahaja

Dec 12, 2004 - Sgt. Sa'id Jahaja, 19, of Arara was one of five IDF soldiers killed when a tunnel filled with 1.5 tons of explosives was detonated under an IDF post at the Rafah crossing, followed by the infiltration of the post by two terrorists who opened fire and activated another explosive device.

At about 5:30 P.M., a bomb went off under the IDF post in charge of securing the Palestinians crossing from the Gaza Strip into Egyptian Rafah, manned by the IDF Beduin Desert Battalion. Two soldiers were killed in the explosion and a third was buried under the rubble and later pronounced dead. Five other soldiers were wounded. Immediately afterwards, two armed Palestinians penetrated the outpost shot and killed two other soldiers. Soldiers returned fire, killing two terrorists. During the evacuation of the wounded, another bomb went off by an armored personnel carrier parked near the outpost, but caused no casualties.

Yusuf Jahaja, from the village of Arara, said that his sons were among the first from their hometown to join the army. "My son Sa'id loved the army and loved what he did in the army," he said. "Sa'id believed that if we live in this country we should both give to it and receive from it. That's what all of my children believe in."

Sa'id's twin brother Husam served at the same IDF post until he was lightly injured several weeks ago. Sa'id insisted on taking his brother's place and was killed. Another brother son serves as a Border Policeman. Life is from Allah," the bereaved father concluded.

Sgt. Sa'id Jahaja was buried in his village cemetery. He is survived by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.