St.-Sgt. Barak Madmon

Nov 24, 2001 - St.-Sgt. Barak Madmon, 26, of Holon, an IDF reservist, was killed by a mortar shell that landed in the soccer field of Kfar Darom in Gush Katif, while on his way to take up guard duty.

Barak Madmon, who served in a paratroop reserve unit, had been posted to the Gaza Strip several days earlier. At 20:00 on Saturday evening, while on his way to take up guard duty at the entrance to Kfar Darom, when a mortar shell exploded nearby. He suffered a fatal neck wound from shrapnel. Barak was the first Israeli fatality from mortar fire since the intifada began in September 2002.

Madmon was a second year electrical engineering student and the Technological College in Holon and worked as a guard at the family court in Ramat-Gan. On Thursday, he was supposed to attend his sister's engagement party. His family said he loved life and his hobby was cooking. Madmon grew up in Moshav Aviel and completed high school in the Pardes Hannah Agricultural School. "Reserve duty interfered with his studies but he knew it was his contribution to the country," said his uncle, Shabtai Madmon.

St.-Sgt. Barak Madmon was buried in the military cemetery in Binyamina. He is survived by his parents, two older sisters and a younger brother, a soldier serving in a combat unit.