Cpl. Asaf Benor, z”l

Corporal Asaf Benor was born in Kiryat Bialik to Ziva and Emmanuel, the brother of Roee and Tzvika, and twin brother to Noa.

A magical child with an unforgettable smile, full of light, who was a gifted athlete. At the age of eight, Asaf joined the gymnastics team at his school and Maccabi Kiryat Bialik, with which he also participated in the opening ceremony of the 13th Maccabiah Games.

Asaf studied at Bialik Elementary School and at “Dafna” Middle School. In high school, he was in the academic track at ORT Kiryat Bialik, where he focused on chemistry and biology. He was a good student, curious, a born leader, who always strove for excellence. He was part of a close-knit group of friends who grew up together. His friends say he was “the glue of the group.” Danny, one of his friends, said, “Asaf was someone who gave his all. He supported his friends and always advised everyone on how to solve problems.”

Asaf was a man of giving. Always the first to volunteer and the first to help. So it was in his life, and so it was in the way he fell.

In August 1994, immediately after finishing his matriculation exams, Asaf enlisted in the IDF. Before his enlistment, he trained and ran many kilometers each day. Asaf volunteered for the Yael Reconnaissance Unit of the Combat Engineering Corps. He was excited to receive the corps insignia and the unit pin. He dreamed of becoming a combat officer. Even in the army, Asaf was a role model to those around him – determined, a leader, and the first to volunteer. When his friends ran out of strength during the stretcher march, it was Asaf who went under the stretcher and carried it for the last kilometers.

Asaf served in the army for five months. On Sunday, January 22, 1995, a deadly terrorist attack took place in Beit Lid. In the first explosion, eight IDF soldiers were killed. Asaf, who was in a kiosk near the junction, ran to assist the wounded. Then a second charge was detonated, severely injuring him. For his self-sacrifice, fulfillment of the value of camaraderie at personal risk, courage, initiative, and being a model and example, Asaf was awarded a citation from the Command General.

Asaf was burned over his entire body. He was identified only by a braided lace given to him by his twin sister, Noa. For two days, Asaf lay unconscious until he began to recover. All that time, a tiny piece of shrapnel remained in his skull, which doctors feared to remove. It seemed that Asaf’s condition was improving. But after a few days, his condition suddenly deteriorated and he lost consciousness.

On December 16, 1996, Asaf died of his wounds after a two-year heroic battle. He was surrounded by his loving and proud family. He was 21 years old. He was laid to rest in the military section of the Kiryat Bialik cemetery. Asaf was the last fatality of the Beit Lid attack.

May his memory be blessed.