Yael Ohana

Feb 6, 2002 - Yael Ohana, 11, and her mother Miri were murdered in their home when an armed terrorist infiltrated Moshav Hamra, halfway between Jericho and Beit She'an in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday evening, opening fire.

The gunman, wearing an IDF uniform, entered the moshav near the community's hothouses at around 6 PM, where he shot and killed IDF reserve soldier, St.-Sgt. Maj.(res.) Moshe Majos Meconen. The gunman continued to the Ohana family's home, taking them hostage. After the terrorist mortally wounded Miri and Yael Ohana with a series of gunshots, troops from armored reconnaissance battalion 500 broke into the home and killed him.

Yael, the youngest of four children, was born disabled and demanded constant treatment. Her mother was forced to leave her job as a teacher and dedicate herself to raising her young daughter. Yael studied at the Beit She'an school for the disabled and her teacher described her as a "green-eyed princess who was always interested in how everyone was doing."

At the time of the attack, Yael was at home with her mother Miri. Her father, who grew and marketed flowers, had gone shopping in Bet-She'an.

Oded, Yael's brother said: "Whoever knew the family wouldn't be surprised that you died together. You were always together, and you left us alone. Yael, you affected us all with your smile of an angel."

Yael Ohana left behind her father, Haviv, and three older siblings: Michal, 24; Oded, 21; and Yonatan, 16. She was buried alongside her mother in the Yarkon cemetery in Petah Tikva.