St.-Sgt. Gilad Fisher

Sep 30, 2004 - St.-Sgt. Gilad Fisher, 22, of Mitzpe Hoshaya, was killed before dawn when Hamas terrorists, under cover of heavy fog, attacked an IDF lookout post east of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack; the terrorists were killed.

Fisher was brought to Hoshaya at the age of three months by his parents, who were among the founders of the religious settlement.

He studied at a religious elementary school at Kibbutz Lavie and then attended a yeshiva in Tiberias. After attending a pre-induction preparatory academy at Moshav Keshet in the Golan Heights, Fisher served as a paratrooper in the Nahal, an IDF branch that combines military service with work in outlying agricultural settlements. He had spent most of his service in the Golan Heights and the West Bank, transferring to the Gaza Strip shortly before he was due to complete his military service.

"Gilad was a pure child, humble and modest. I will not cry, because Gilad would be angry with me if he saw me crying," said Fisher's father.

In anticipation of his coming demobilization, Fisher was already planning a cross-country hike, to be followed by university studies in history or religion. During the month before his death, his family celebrated Fisher's 22nd birthday, his sister Inbal's wedding, and his younger brother Hagai's bar mitzva.

St.-Sgt. Gilad Fisher is survived by his parents, two sisters, and a brother. He was buried at the Hoshaya Cemetery.