Shulamit Batito

Sept 30, 2004 - Sept 30, 2004 - Shulamit Batito, 36, of Nissanit, was shot and killed by Hamas terrorists while jogging on the road. St.-Sgt. Victor Ariel, 20, of Kadima, a medic, was killed by a grenade thrown by one of the terrorists as he ran to aid Batito. The terrorists were killed by soldiers.

Batito left her home early in the morning, as she had every day for the previous four months, to jog between the settlements of Nissanit and Elei Sinai in the Gaza Strip. "She wasn't afraid, because she was told that since they built the new fence it isn't dangerous," recalled a friend, Amalia Avinoam.

Batito started her run with two other women, but had outpaced them and moved far ahead when terrorists cut her down. Her two friends were rescued at the last moment by soldiers.

Batito worked as a nursery school teacher in the settlement for the past 11 years. She and her husband, Eli, were among the founding members of Nissanit 12 years ago. "She was a delightful, beloved woman, warm, and a good friend. This is a great loss to our community," said Avinoam.

Shulamit Batito is survived by her mother, husband, two sons, aged 17 and 15, two brothers, and four sisters. She was buried in the Ashkelon Cemetery.