Sgt.-Maj. Hana (Eli) Abu-Ghanem

Jan 9, 2001 - Sgt.-Maj. Hana (Eli) Abu-Ghanem, 25, of Haifa was one of four IDF soldiers from the Bedouin desert patrol unit who were killed when armed Palestinian terrorists from the southern Gaza Strip infiltrated into Israel and attacked an IDF post near Kerem Shalom.

At 4:30 AM, two armed Palestinian terrorists from the southern Gaza Strip, carrying explosive belts, assault rifles, grenades, and dressed in Palestinian Authority police uniforms, infiltrated into Israel and attacked an IDF post near Kerem Shalom. Sgt.-Maj. Hana Abu-Ghanem was killed along with Maj. Ashraf Hawash, the commanding officer of the IDF patrol which arrived on the scene. The terrorists, one a member of the Palestinian Authority's naval force, and the second a Hamas operative, were killed. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Hana Abu-Ghanem, a Christian Arab originally from Nazareth, completed high school at the ORT school in Haifa after his family moved to the port city. He volunteered to serve in the army six years ago, following in the footsteps of his older brother, who served with the Border Police. Jibra Abu Nassar, a relative, said Abu-Ghanem needed no persuading to join the army. "He did it on his own, and from personal belief," said Abu Nassar, who also served in the IDF. Abu-Ghanem served in units based in the south. Earlier this month he signed on for an extra year of commissioned service.

Sgt.-Maj. Hana Abu Ghanem was buried in the Kfar Samir cemetery in Haifa. He is survived by his parents, a brother, and two sisters.