Corp. Adham Shehada

Dec 12, 2004 - Corp. Adham Shehada, 19, of Turan 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.

Adham Shehada was the oldest of Samir and Maisar's five children, who lived in the Lower Galilee village of Turan. His friends described him as a young man known for his joie de vivre, pleasant temperament, numerous friends and good heart.

Adham enlisted in the Desert Battalion almost two years ago, following in the footsteps of other members of his family from the Beduin community in the Galilee. He had helped support his family from an early age, and had spoken to his family and friends recently about making a career out of his service in the army.

Corp. Adham Shehada was buried in his home village. He is survived by his parents, Samir and Maisar, and four siblings - Ashraf, Salaam, Mohammed and Murad.