Avraham Gavish

Mar 28, 2002 - Avraham Gavish, 25, of Kedumim, was one of four members of the Gavish family killed in Elon Moreh, when a Palestinian terrorist infiltrated the hilltop community near Nablus, burst into their home, and shot them shortly before 9 P.M.

Avraham Gavish was visting his family in Elon Moreh during the Passover holiday. He was killed along with his parents Rachel and David Gavish, and his grandfather Yitzhak Kanner.

When the terrorist infiltrated the Gavish home, 2-year-old Darya Gavish broke into tears. Her mother, Na'ama, tried desperately to quiet her and hide her. The terrorist approached the kitchen where the two were hiding. Na'ama put her fingers on the child's lips, and ducked under the table. Their lives were spared. Avraham had called out to throw his weapon from the top floor and as he caught it, the terrorist shot and killed him.

The terrorist continued to shoot from one of the rooms while neighbors and security forces returned fire. Others placed a ladder to allow family members on the top story to escape. The terrorist remained closed up in one of the top-story rooms, until he was shot and killed by security forces.

Avraham Gavish had served as an officer in the elite IDF General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, and had begun studying at Bar-Ilan University. He lived in Kedumim with his wife Na'ama, whom he married three years ago. Na'ama eulogized her husband and promised to take care of their two-year-old daughter Daria, and the baby she is carrying.

"During our navigation training in the Samarian hills, Avraham knew and recognized every hilltop. He walked without a map, and ran on the hilltops as if he got renewed strength. Only then did I realize how much he was attached to these hills," said an army comrade.

Avraham Gavish was buried in Elon Moreh alongside his parents and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Na'ama, his daughter Darya, four brothers and two sisters: Menashe (23), Yeshurun (2), Avigdor, (19), Tzofia (18), Leah (17), and Assaf (14).