Lt. Keren Rothstein

Feb 10, 2002 - Lt. Keren Rothstein, 20, of Ashkelon was one of two female soldiers killed in a drive-by terrorist shooting at the entrance to the IDF Southern Command base in Be'er Sheva.

In the early afternoon, at about 13:30, two terrorists opened fire at the entrance to the IDF Southern Command base in Be'er Sheva. Lt. Keren Rothstein, 20, of Ashkelon and Cpl. Aya Malachi, who were in the bakery across from the base, were mortally injured and died in hospital shortly afterwards. Four others were injured, one critically. One of the terrorists was killed at the scene; the second, wearing an explosives belt, fled in the direction of a nearby school when he was shot and killed by a soldier and police officer. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Lt. Keren Rothstein, who served as a culture and education officer in the IDF Southern Command, was supposed to have completed her army service in April, but signed for more time in the reserves.

Keren studied at the Rosnon high school in Ashkelon and was an outstanding student. "She was very active in the student council, and did very well, as well as any parent would hope," said the school principal.

One of Keren's friends said: "I asked her what she wanted to do after her army service. She didn't know because she wanted to continue to contribute. She saw the army service as very important and used to talk about it with students before their recruitment to the army."

Keren has a twin sister, Idit, also an IDF officer, and a younger sister, Chen (16).

Lt. Keren Rothstein was buried in Ashkelon. She is survived by her parents, Avi and Aviva, and two sisters.