Ofir Liebstein

The head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein, who was also a member of its local security team, was killed during fighting with Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7.

“Ofir was killed when he went to defend a town during the terrorist attack,” the council said in a statement announcing his death.

Shai Hajaji, a friend and the head of the nearby Merhavim Regional Council, said Libstein was “always the first to defend residents of the council.”

“In death, as in life, Ofir was an exemplar of an ethical public figure fighting for his residents, even if it endangered his life,” Hajaji said in comments carried by Channel 12 news.

Libstein, who served in his position for the past five years, built many relationships overseas with those who supported the Gaza border communities.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria — whose city was a sister city with Sha’ar Hanegev — paid tribute to Libstein and recalled the time they spent together.

“His enthusiasm for building connections between his city and neighbors in Gaza was inspiring,” wrote Gloria on X. “Ofir was a friend and the news of his death is absolutely heartbreaking. I offer San Diego’s deepest condolences to his family and the people of the community he loved so much and served so well.

Dan Springer, the CEO of JNF Australia, told the Australian Jewish News that Libstein was “a great friend and a wonderful partner on many projects throughout Sha’ar HaNegev… always smiling, always positive, with a unique and infectious laugh.”
Source: The Times of Israel