Netanel Hershkovitz

Major (res.) Netanel Hershkowitz, z"l, 37 years old, from Jerusalem, served as deputy company commander in Administrative Assistance Unit 5460. Natanel left behind a wife and three children. 
Major Hershkowitz fell in an incident with two other reservists, Tzvi Matthiyahu Marentz z"l and Uri Moshe Bornstein z"l in Jabaliya during an operational activity.

"Thursday, 10.10, 8th of Tishrei, Netanel's company was called in for an operation in Jabaliya/ During the drive to the destination, an explosive device was triggered on the first Humvee in the convoy. At that moment, they began to come under fire. Natanel, who was the deputy company commander, was in the second Humvee, grabbed the MAG (machine gun), and provided cover for his comrades as they dismounted from the vehicles to improve their positions against the accursed terrorists.

Netanel, while firing toward the terrorists, bravely covering his comrades under heavy fire, was killed by an anti-tank rocket hit."

Meir, Netanel's father, eulogized him in tears: "You weren't just a son, you were a friend." We used to talk almost every day. It is very difficult for a father to eulogize his son - the way of the world is for the son to eulogize the father. Natanel, give me strength. How hard is our fate? We won't get to see you again."

"I feel sorry for you, my beloved son, you were more than eight months in the reserves in Gaza. I hardly slept. I went to the Kotel every day and prayed, and twice it helped. This time, the decree was passed. We accept it, I have no complaints against God. Thank you, Lord of the world , for the special present that we merited. For the best friend in the world. Baruch Dayan HaEmet. I wanted your son to put on your tefillin when he reached the age of Bar Mitzvah. I asked the representatives of the army to bring your tefillin, and your tallit. Wrapped in them was a machzor for Yom Kippur, and there was a shofar that you took with you to blow on the evening of Yom Kippur.'

"You were my whole world, and today my world is a sword for me"
Liron, Netanel's widow and the mother of his three children: "I can't believe I'm standing here now. A moment ago you left the house, how scared I was of that moment, how much I tried to drive the thoughts away from me. I'm saying goodbye to you today without a choice. You were my whole world, and today my world has fallen on me."

"I don’t know how to live this life without you. Who would have believed that I would speak of you in the past tense, that I would bring you to eternal rest? You are so here, you are so alive. A good soul, pure, innocent. You were a great man, destined for greatness. Everything you did, you succeeded in; there was nothing in the world you didn’t know. You were my pillar of support; I can’t imagine myself without you. You were everything to me, filling my life with love and meaning. Without you, I have nothing."

"How much you loved me, how much you cared for me. I know you did everything for me. I am grateful for every single moment. We never lacked anything. Now it’s you who is missing, who will fill your absence? You were an amazing father, a wonderful husband. We were blessed in this short, finite time to have you with us. How much you loved the Land of Israel, and now you return to it, to this mountain you admired so much. You died a hero's death, as befits you. I remain here without you with the precious treasures you gave me. You have left us in body, but please stay with us in spirit, in heart. I needed more time with you. Watch over us from above and give us strength. We will meet again someday."