Didi Yitzhak

Mar 3, 2002 - Didi Yitzhak, 66, of Eli 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.

Didi Yitzhak arrived at the roadblock from his home in Eli. He was fatally wounded and died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Didi Yitzhak immigrated to Israel from France 20 years ago. He was a bachelor and his only family in Israel are his two older sisters. He moved to Eli four years ago for idealistic reasons, and also because of the scenery, the peace and quiet. He worked as an accountant from his home.

Richard Steven, Didi's uncle said: "He came to Israel from Paris 20 years ago. He loved Israel so much. Because of him, many more of our family came to Israel. Just a few days ago he called me excitedly, and told me that the trees he planted were blooming. I never heard a bad word from him about Israel. He went to Jerusalem every day and wasn't afraid of anything."

Didi Yitzhak was buried in Netanya. He is survived by five sisters, three of whom live in France.