St.-Sgt. Michael Hochsman

Feb 19, 2002 - St.-Sgt. Michael Hochsman, 21, of Haifa was one of six soldiers killed in a terrorist attack near a roadblock west of Ramallah. Several terrorists opened fire at soldiers at the roadblock, including three off-duty soldiers inside a structure at the roadblock, killing them at point-blank range.

The attack took place at about 9 P.M., a few hours after the troops who had manned the Ein-Ariq outpost for the last few months handed the position over to replacements from the same corps. The outpost, consisting of a roadblock and a few temporary housing buildings, was manned by eight soldiers, five of whom were on guard at the time. Two or three Palestinians apparently opened simultaneous fire at the outpost from different directions, killing six soldiers and injuring one.

Michael Hochsman immigrated to Israel alone in 1995, at the age of 15, settling at Kibbutz Sasa in the north. Inspired by his son, his father later immigrated and six months ago, his older sister, Svetlana, joined them. Michael's mother Olga remained in Russia.

According to his father Yevgeny, Hochsman was very proud to serve as a combat soldier in the army. "When I told him I was worried about him, Michael told me: 'I sat in the shelter in Sasa, and I know what it means to protect the country.'"

He related yesterday that just a few days ago he purchased a cell phone for Michael, so that the two might keep in touch. "We only made one call on the phone. I asked him how he was doing, and wanted to know where he was serving. He said, 'Turn on the television - that's where I am.'" He was killed together with his good friend St.-Sgt. Mark Podolsky.

Michael Hochsman was buried in Haifa. He is survived by his parents and sister.