Sgt. Hussein Abu Leil

Dec 12, 2004 - Sgt. Hussein Abu Leil, 23, of Ein Mahal 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.

Hussein Abu Leil grew up in the village of Ein Mahal in the Nazareth hills. His father Talal said that he had not supported his son's desire to enlist in the army. "But from the moment he did enlist, I supported him and backed him up. We were very proud of him and came to all the ceremonies."

Hussein served in the Gaza Strip alongside one of his cousins. Just two weeks ago he celebrated his 23rd birthday at a big family gathering. His father said, "We are praying for peace. Hussein was a good and diligent boy who loved his family. He dreamt of joining the police and going on to study."

Sgt. Hussein Abu Leil was buried in his home village. He is survived by his parents, Talal and Itaf, two sisters, Jihan, 25, and Nur, 14, and a brother, Muhammad, 17.