Capt. Asaf Master, z”l

Captain Asaf Master, the eldest son of Michal and Lior, brother to Roee and Lihi, and partner of Gili, was born in Kfar Saba and grew up in Kibbutz Bahan. He was a nature-loving boy with blue eyes, a sense of humor, and a cheerful disposition, accompanied by a captivating smile.

Asaf studied at “Misgav” Elementary School in Kibbutz Givat Haim Ihud and at the Maayan-Shahar Educational Campus in Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh, and was an outstanding student and athlete. He was a respected player on the local tennis club’s team and a beloved counselor in the Bnei Hamoshavim youth movement. Wherever he went, Asaf was a leader. He was intelligent, charismatic, with a winning combination of seriousness, wit, playfulness, and humor.

Asaf loved hiking and knew every spring in the Golan Heights and every corner of the Hefer Valley where he grew up. He especially loved the desert. At every opportunity, he would gather his friends and set out on trips that included a night outdoors, a campfire, and togetherness, and he was always the center and the glue of the group.

After graduating from high school, Asaf volunteered for a year of service at the “Ayanot” agricultural youth village. Although he was only two years older than his students, he was a role model, a source of inspiration, and someone to look up to.

In December 2020, Asaf enlisted in the Yahalom Unit. He completed the training course successfully and went on to become an officer. He was assigned as a platoon commander in the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion and proved to be a courageous and admired leader, loved by his soldiers and superiors alike, attentive and caring. On holidays, Asaf would invite lone soldiers to celebrate with his family. He maintained contact with friends from all stages of his life, even during his military service, and dreamed of traveling the world, opening a pub, and starting a family.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, the holiday of Simchat Torah 5784, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack on Israel. Under the cover of barrages of thousands of rockets, thousands of armed terrorists crossed the border into Israel, infiltrating cities and taking control of communities, outposts, and bases. The terrorists murdered around eight hundred civilians and abducted hundreds of Israelis to the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of security personnel fell in the battles. Following the attack, Israel entered a state of war. When the attack began, Asaf was with his unit in the north. He quickly headed south with his soldiers to join the fighting. Asaf was among the first to break into the northern Gaza Strip at the start of the ground maneuver. He led his platoon with self-sacrifice in many complex missions that required initiative, professionalism, responsibility, courage, creativity, and leadership.

On November 15, 2023, Asaf fell in heroic battle in the northern Gaza Strip. He was 22 years old. Asaf was laid to rest in the civil cemetery in Emek Hefer. On his phone, Asaf had left farewell words for all his loved ones in case something happened to him. A week and a half before he fell, he wrote: “Keep being strong for me and for everyone. And remember that I’m watching over myself and watching over you.”

May his memory be blessed.