St.-Sgt. Gabriel Uziel

Sept 4, 2003 - St.-Sgt. Gabriel Uziel, 20, of Givat Ze'ev was shot and killed by a terrorist sniper in Jenin. The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Overnight, IDF forces arrested members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in Jenin. During the early morning arrest of a terrorist planning to dispatch a car bomb to Israel, Palestinians opened fire on the soldiers. St.-Sgt. Gabriel (Gabi) Uziel was shot and mortally wounded; he died en route to the hospital.

Gabi's friends in Givat Ze'ev, north of Jerusalem, related that several years ago he turned over a new leaf in his life. He completed his high school matriculation certificate at the Ankori School, enlisted in the army and became a role model for the local youth. He was well-liked by all, always smiling, always ready to volunteer. Concealing a hearing problem, Gabo fulfilled his dream and joined the Golani Brigade. His commanding officer said that he was full of motivation and lifted the morale of the other soldiers. He would come home on leave once every three weeks, and always brought flowers for his mother.

St.-Sgt. Gabriel Uziel was buried in the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Yosef and Leah, his sister Meirav, 21, an IDF medical officer who just completed her army service, his brother Gilad, 18, and twin sisters Tamar and Kineret (13).