Capt. Aviv Hakani, z”l

Captain Aviv Hakani, the eldest son of Edna and Chaim, brother to Einav and Adva, and grandson of Ashdod’s founding families, was born on the first day of spring, and so received his name. When he was four months old, his family moved to Kibbutz Kfar Azza, and later to Kibbutz Dorot. In the open spaces of the kibbutz, the first seeds of Aviv’s love for nature and the land were planted, sprouted, and grew.

When Aviv was five, his family returned to live in Ashdod. He attended Tzafririm Elementary School and was among the first graduating class of Nof Yam School. In high school, he studied at “Makif Vav.” In his biology “biotope” project, Aviv tracked the sand gerbil and examined how it copes with life underground. Years later, as a tunnel officer, he used the knowledge he had gained to change the IDF’s approach to tunnel detection.

Aviv was a member and counselor in the “Dotan” Scouts troop and served as projects coordinator for the movement’s Southern District. He worked as a shift manager and bartender. A principled young man, a lover of people, and a born leader. Optimistic, full of life, surrounded by friends. “A rare child,” his father said. “Rambo on the outside, krembo on the inside.”

In March 2000, Aviv enlisted in the IDF, joining the Combat Engineering Corps. He completed basic training and advanced training and went on a fast track to command. After officer training, he returned to the IDF Engineering School and served as a platoon commander in the “Lahav” Battalion. Later, he served as operations officer in the Hebron area, and in June 2003, transferred to the Gaza Division, becoming the first tunnel officer in the IDF. Aviv founded and headed the unit for locating and demolishing tunnels, developed the doctrine for combating the tunnel threat, shaped the role of tunnel officer, and commanded a team of fighters. He created a new field in the IDF, and his work had an impact for years to come. His commanders said he demonstrated leadership and charisma, courage, exceptional knowledge, creativity, original thinking, and initiative. Thus, in the first tunnel-digging mission, he made use of a finjan his mother had bought him. By the time he fell, the tunnel team under his command had destroyed about ninety underground tunnels.

Aviv cared for his soldiers like a father for his sons. His commanders and soldiers knew they could rely on him. He was respected and loved. In the last period of his life, he even experienced love with Elinor, an officer in the Gaza Division.

His final mission was to locate a booby-trapped tunnel on the Philadelphi Route near the Tarmit outpost.

On May 12, 2004, Aviv fell in battle on the Philadelphi Route in the explosion of the APC he commanded. He was 23 years old. Four of his soldiers fell with him. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Ashdod. After his death, he was awarded the Chief of Command Citation for striving for contact, determination, courage, initiative, devotion to mission, and a unique and pioneering contribution to understanding the enemy’s tactics.

May his memory be blessed.