Maj. (res.) Oded Golomb

Apr 9, 2002 - Maj. (res.) Oded Golomb, 32, of Kibbutz Nir David was one of thirteen IDF soldiers killed and seven injured in the Jenin refugee camp by Palestinian terrorists. An IDF patrol of reserve soldiers was ambushed in a narrow alleyway in the camp by a number of explosive devices and gunfire from the rooftops of surrounding buildings (Operation Defensive Shield). Oded led the patrol into the alleyway and was the first to be injured.

Maj. (res.) Oded Golomb was born at Kibbutz Nir David. Oded served in the Nahal Brigade of the army during his compulsory service. He spent an additional three years in the regular army, much of it in Lebanon where he received a commendation for actions in battle against terrorists.

After the army, Oded worked in agriculture at his kibbutz. He recently completed undergraduate studies in engineering and industrial management at the Ruppin Academy and was deliberating between two job offers when he was killed.

Oded lived for the last six years at Beit Yoshua with his girlfriend Dovrat. When called for reserve duty, a friend asked, "Why do you have to do this?" Oded answered, "I have soldiers and I can't let them go to battle without me." Oded was known for his "quiet leadership". He "excelled in everything he did."

Oded was related to Eliayahu Golomb, founder of the Hagana.

Maj. (res.) Oded Golomb was buried at Nir David. He leaves behind his parents Ruth and Shaul, sister Einav and brother Tomer.