1st Lt. Natai Shefts, z”l

First Lieutenant Nitai Shfates, the son of Galia-Helen and Avri, brother of Yair and Omri, was born in Kibbutz Nachshon.

Nitai was first educated in his kibbutz. He was a smiling child, full of charm. As the son of parents who immigrated from South Africa, members of Hashomer Hatzair, he absorbed his love for the country at home and was devoted to both the people and the land.

Nitai studied at the regional high school "Tzafit." He was an outstanding student, especially in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and English. A gifted young man with a captivating personality, he combined quiet leadership with wit, humor, and a touch of cynicism. He possessed a rare blend of seriousness, playfulness, sensitivity, and toughness. At school, he was at the center of cultural life. He also wrote for the school newspaper. Being caring and opinionated, Nitai tried to influence the curriculum. He did everything with modesty and humility.

Nitai was both a participant and a beloved counselor in the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. Before his army service, he spent a year of community service at the movement’s branch in Ra’anana. During that period, he met Maya, his girlfriend and love.

In November 1991, Nitai enlisted in the IDF in the Combat Engineering Corps. He completed both the NCO course and the officers’ course with distinction. As an outstanding officer, he could have chosen his posting, but he volunteered for the EOD Unit, whose service carries risk and demands knowledge, self-control, composure, and courage. After completing his specialization course, he joined the unit’s operational activity. Later, he became the unit’s operations officer and a certified EDO commander, ranked number one. He was a respected, serious, and responsible officer.

In early 1995, Nitai was selected, along with other officers from the unit, to participate in a professional exchange with the U.S. Army. At the end of the professional tour, Maya joined him for a short and memorable trip.

On his final mission, Nitai was tasked with inspecting and handling a suspicious section of a key traffic route. He discovered a complex system of roadside charges and mines with a triggering mechanism designed to create two separate attacks: one on a passing convoy and another on the rescue force that would come to assist. He managed to identify the devices and dismantle their backup system. As he prepared to neutralize the rest, a Hezbollah force detected him and detonated the part that had not yet been disabled.

On September 19, 1995, Nitai fell in combat in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon while carrying out his mission with professionalism and courage. He was 23 years old. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of Kibbutz Nachshon. In his death, Nitai saved many lives. His commander wrote: “Nitai was a central figure in the unit. His work as operations officer contributed greatly to advancing a wide range of issues. His diligence, perseverance, and determination to solve problems gave everyone the sense that we could rely on him.”

May his memory be blessed.