St.-Sgt.Maj.(res.) Moshe Majos Meconen

Feb 6, 2002 - St.-Sgt. Maj.(res.) Moshe Majos Meconen, 33, of Beit She'an was killed 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.

Meconen immigrated to Israel 18 years ago under Operation Moses and lived with his parents and brothers in Netanya. He did his compulsory military service as a fire fighter in the air force, receiving an award as the outstanding soldier of Tzrifin base. He also did his reserve service as an air force fire fighter until recently.

Meconen was in the second week of a reserve stint guarding Jordan Valley communities. Wednesday night, he called his wife, as he did every night on reserve duty. Shortly thereafter, while he was driving with Hamra's security officer, a terrorist opened fire from the moshav's greenhouse, killing him.

Meconen moved to Beit She'an in 1996, when he married his wife, Yael, a resident of the town, and began working at Beit Hashita five years ago. The couple had two daughters, Noy and Eden, aged four and two.

His cousin Ya'acov said, "He was always available to help his family, his parents and brothers. He was the leader of the family."

St.-Sgt. Maj.(res.) Moshe Majos Meconen was buried in the Beit She'an military cemetery. He is survived by his parents, brothers, wife and daughters.