1st Sgt.(res.) Rafael Levy

Mar 3, 2002 - 1st Sgt.(res.) Rafael Levy, 42, of Rishon Lezion was one of 10 soldiers and civilians killed when terrorists opened fire at an IDF roadblock north of Ofra in Samaria.

Shortly after 6:30 on Sunday morning, a Palestinian sniper opened fired at an army roadblock 1.5 kilometers north of Ofra on the Ramallah-Nablus road from his carbine, killing 10 soldiers and civilians and wounding four, before escaping unharmed. With his first shots, the gunman killed the three soldiers deployed behind concrete blocks surrounding the roadblock. Soldiers sleeping in the adjacent building were alerted by the gunfire and raced out to the roadblock, only to be shot dead. Also killed were civilians and soldiers who arrived by car at the roadblock.

Rafael, the oldest of four siblings, grew up in Ramle. After his marriage to Nili, the couple moved to Rishon Lezion. He was studying industry and management in the College for Management in Rishon Lezion and worked in a pharmaceutical plant in Holon. His brother Michael, said, "Rafi enjoyed his service in the reserves, and understood its importance. He could have also canceled his service because of exams in the university, but he insisted upon staying and helping his friends. On Sunday morning, he was supposed to finish his final shift at the roadblock and go home to attend his nephew's circumcision. He was killed while coming to the help of his friends.

Sgt.-Maj. Rafael Levy was buried in the military section of the Ramle cemetery. He is survived by his wife Nili, his parents, brother, and three sisters.