Ben-Gila and Benjamin. Born on January 28, 1966 in Haifa, Ilan, the only son of his parents, was named because of the proximity of his birth date to Tu Bishvat, the festival of trees. Ilan was a plump, smiling child with curly blond hair, loved by everyone from the day he came into the world. Ilan grew up on the Carmel in Haifa. He studied at the David Yellin Elementary School and went on to the “Chugim” Middle School and the Shilo High School, which he graduated with honors in bookkeeping. During the course of his studies, Ilan Hanich and a counselor in the Scouts movement, in the Dotan Battalion in Haifa, loved the movement and contributed to its strengthening and activities. As a proud Haifaite, he was a devoted fan of the Hapoel Haifa football team from a young age, a fan of good times, but also in difficult times. In July 1985, Ilan enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces in the IDF, and was very much in favor of his service, and soon became a commanding officer. He also helped the soldiers in need, and his commanders respected him and consulted with him on every matter, and during his service he successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration and was promoted to Major General. On March 28, 1989, Ilan married Ella. They lived in Haifa, and in December 1990 their eldest son, Snir, was born. Like his father, Laban was also chosen there with the meaning of Eretz Yisrael – after the river Snir flowing from the Hermon to Banias. In December 1994, the daughter Leahy, whose name was chosen by Ilan, was born. Ilan was happy with the birth of his children, and a very devoted and loving pain was revealed. He devoted much of his time and money to the school where they studied, volunteered for social activities and was very much loved by all the children, his son and his daughter. Ilan loved the Land of Israel in an exceptional way. He traveled all over the country, and knew mainly the north on its pit, every path and path. He transferred the knowledge in his possession to many, and swept them into the love of the land and the trips. His two children taught Ilan the love of the land, traveled with them throughout Israel and constantly cultivated their connection to the country. In 1999, Ilan left the military police after 14 years and moved to serve in the medical corps as commander of a camp in Haifa. Here, too, he soon became fond of both the commanders and the soldiers, nurtured the unit and contributed a great deal. He loved the unit very much, took care of the welfare of his soldiers, and often devoted his spare time and beyond the demands of his role to the army and the unit. Ilan, who is sensitive to the environment and has a broad heart, always gave of himself for the sake of others, and usually took care of those around him more than himself. He saw helping others as the mission of his life. Every person who approached him for help, mentally or financially, always said yes. And if he could not help himself, he turned to the others and asked for their help, and fought for help until she achieved it. Ilan was killed at the age of 36. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Haifa, leaving behind a wife, son, daughter and parents, the children of the school where Ilan’s children studied Loved him, asked their teachers when he learned of his death: “Teacher, what will happen now? Will not we go for more trips? What will happen to the social activities, who will be photographed, who will explain, who will do everything – then Snir’s father and Leah are gone … “The personal inscription on his tombstone reads:” Where are there other people like this man? “
