Gibor, Yosef

Son of Batya and Reuven, was born on the 6th of Tishvan (6.11.1955) in Tiberias. At a young age his family moved to Beit Eliezer in Hadera, where he began his studies at the elementary school “Peer Am”. Afterward he continued to study at the “Amal” vocational school and completed his high school studies in the electrical-industrial field. Joseph was educated in a traditional home and all his life was closely connected to his family. His hobby was nature and knowledge of the country. He traveled a lot and at his parents’ home devoted himself to the garden in the yard. In February 1974 he joined the IDF and served in the Ordnance Corps, where he completed a number of professional courses and proved his skills in the corps in which he served. Less than a year later he was promoted to sergeant. In September 1977, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, volunteered to serve in the regular army and was sent to an officer’s course, which he completed in February 1978. During his service he was assigned to various infantry units, including a paratroop battalion. In February 1979 he was promoted to lieutenant, and a few months later he was promoted to captain. When the Peace for Galilee War broke out he went with his unit to the front in Lebanon. In his role as an arming officer in a combat battalion, he made sure that the weapons of war were correct. On the 3rd of Tammuz 5742 (24.6.1982), his unit was preparing for battle near the town of Hamdun, and one of the warplanes was stuck and Joseph was taking care of his rescue, surrounded by two armored personnel carriers. A Syrian artillery shell landed between the armored personnel carriers and its shrapnel hit Yosef’s chest without him realizing it, and he continued to command his soldiers until he collapsed. He was 27 years old and was laid to rest in the Hadera military cemetery. Ariel Sharon wrote in a letter of condolence to his family: “Captain Yosef Gabor gave his life for his homeland. He fell in the Manchuria area of ​​Lebanon, serving as an ammunition officer in the battalion. He performed his duties out of interest, was prepared for hard work, gave up comfort, worked very efficiently and in difficult working conditions. He was a quiet, sociable officer who liked everyone. Was highly motivated.” In his memory, a Torah scroll was placed in the Etz Chaim synagogue in the Beit Eliezer neighborhood where he lived.