Sgt. Aviad Dotan

Sept 5, 2002 - Sgt. Aviad Dotan, 21, of Moshav Nir Galim was killed and three soldiers were wounded when a large bomb weighing over 100 kgs exploded under a Merkava tank near the Kissufim Crossing in central Gaza Strip.

The tank was moving along a dirt road near Kissufim, following suspicious figures, when a 100-kilo bomb buried underneath it blew up. Sgt. Aviad Dotan, who was driving the tank, was killed on the spot. The tank commander was blown from the hatch, unharmed. Two others were trapped inside the tank were wounded. An umbrella group representing several Palestinian factions claimed responsibility.

Aviad Dotan was born and raised in Nir Galim, a religious moshav near Ashdod. After completing his studies at primary school in Yavne and the Meron yeshiva high school, he attended the pre-military academy in Beit Yatir. About a year ago began his army service in the armored corps. He was planning to continue his studies after the army. On Monday, he returned to his unit after a long weekend home. He was killed early Thursday morning.

Aviad liked to spend his time with family and friends. His friends described him as a modest person, with a special sense of humor. His parents, Shabtai and Dina, were very proud of him, and would come to visit him at the army base on Fridays, bringing him his favorite foods for Shabbat. They were planning to visit him on the eve of Rosh Hashana - the Jewish New Year. Instead they buried him.

Sgt. Aviad Dotan was buried on Moshav Nir Galim. He is survived by his parents and three sisters.