Ben Zarfit and Mahmoud. He was born on April 15, 1954, in Kfar Hurfeish. Nabiya was born into a family that deals with her livelihood. Brother Lahila, Majid, Mufid, Nazih and Anwar. Nabieh studied at the elementary school in Hurfeish, and went on to high school in the “Iron” agricultural school in Hadera. Nabiya was active in youth movements from an early age. As a youngster he was a member of the Scouts movement, during which he served as a guide, and in his youth he was active in the Gadna. He was determined to join the paratroopers’ unit, contrary to the accepted practice among the Druze community, whose sons used to join the minority unit. With the help of Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Chief of Staff David Elazar, Nebiya fulfilled his wish, and during the course of his training in the unit, the Yom Kippur War broke out and Nabia went out to fight with his battalion in the Sinai Peninsula. In which he served in various positions, including as platoon commander, deputy battalion commander, and battalion operations officer, starting his career in October 1975. Nabiya’s career was dynamic and fascinating, and he served in a variety of positions, both as a combat soldier and as a guide And a unit of IDF officers. In all the units in which he served, he commanded a whole generation of commanders, fighters and soldiers. During his service he received the operational service signal, the Yom Kippur and the Peace of the Galilee signal. Nabieh stood out for his involvement in every unit he came to. As a responsible and responsible officer, who was gifted with excellent leadership and command, he radiated authority and professionalism, and felt that the forces were ready for any occasion. His devotion to work and his soldiers was boundless, he was always willing to help whatever he had, in any situation, and never allowed his personal life to impair his availability to his commanders and subordinates and the quality of his work. He was described by his colleagues as “a commander who never got tired,” who takes care to be present at every event, and to participate in every exercise. He took part in innumerable pursuits and incidents with enemy forces, and his behavior in battle conditions was always measured and quick. From October 1976, Nabih served as the company commander of the infantry school, and two years later he moved to the officers’ school, and from 1978 to 1979 he was the commander of a platoon in the area. Their only daughter, Manal, was born in January 1979. In January 1979, Navia was appointed commander of the Nahal unit. In October 1981, he served as the deputy commander of the regional brigade in the Golan Heights, and a year later he was appointed deputy commander of the Nahal training base, where he served until his departure for the Command and Staff course. At the end of the course, in September 1984, he was appointed as the battalion commander of the regional brigade in Lebanon, and in the framework of this position he took part in the Peace for Galilee War, and returned to the officers’ school as commander of a company. In July 1989, Colonel Yitzhak Rachimov, who was the commander of the western brigade in southern Lebanon, was killed and Nabiya was called to take his place. During this period he was promoted to the rank of colonel. The reality in the sector required dealing with frequent terrorist activity, and Nubia did this very well. In the framework of the routine struggle to prevent infiltration, Nabih fought and prevented many terrorist infiltrations. He was honored by the residents, soldiers and officers serving in the area. Between 1989-1990 he served as deputy commander of the Arava Brigade. He greatly promoted the brigade’s situation and developed a close network of connections between the brigade and the communities in the area. His energetic work provided the residents with a security experienceThe wall. In 1991, Nabih was appointed commander of the division, a position he held until his graduation to graduate studies at the National Defense College, following his first degree in Middle Eastern studies at the University of Haifa a few years earlier. In 1992 he completed his master’s degree in political science and national security. In 1994, Nabih was appointed commander of the northern brigade in Gaza. He foiled attacks in the area, and allowed a period that accompanied the residents of Gush Katif. Nabiya created excellent relations with the residents of the Gaza Strip and its environs, and the personal acquaintance with the leaders of the settlements created full confidence and enabled cooperation. After two years of intensive work, he was appointed deputy commander of the Gaza Division, as the last position before his promotion to the division commander, to the rank of brigadier general. In his free time Nabih enjoyed reading and had a library with a wide range of books, especially in the fields of political science and strategy. Other hobbies were collecting valuable pens, favored by ancient fountain pens, and collecting swords. The collection included rare swords, including “Jungle” swords. Nabieh was careful about his physical fitness, and used to practice field trips. On September 27, 1996, Nabiya fell during a battle in the Gaza Strip. As the situation in the region escalated, Nabieh was summoned to the scene, in light of the special ties he had with the Palestinian officers. After talking with them and promising a calm in the northern sector, he turned to the southern sector in the direction of the “Termit” post in the Rafah crossing area, in order to help his soldiers who were attacked by Palestinian fire. Nabiya was wounded and died of his wounds. He was forty-two years old when he fell. He was laid to rest in the military section of the Hurfeish cemetery. Survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and five brothers and sisters. Many commemoration activities were carried out in memory of Nabiya, both by his family and by those who cherished his memory, including those who worked with him or enjoyed his work, and asked to express their appreciation and thanks: This room was a pilgrimage site visited by citizens, students, soldiers and members of youth movements, who come to pay homage to and learn about the glorious battle heritage of Nabiya as an individual and of the Druze community as a whole. An Olympic range was established on Kibbutz Nir Am, in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council. The center, which overlooks the Gaza Strip, includes several types of shooting ranges, both indoor and outdoor, for sports and training, and is open to soldiers and civilians alike. The Nabiya Cultural Club was opened in Shaarei Tikva on the initiative of the Yishuv. A grove was planted in his memory between the kibbutzim Zikim and Karmia, and another grove in the family plot in Bani Sabalan. An annual torch race takes place between Kibbutz Lohamei Hagetaot and Hurfeish. A memorial book was edited by his family and friends. A tradition of an annual march was established at the Galilee sites, including a gathering at the family’s home. The Peace Club was opened in the village of Rosh Hanikra (Ras Ankura) in southern Lebanon. Among the things that were said in memory of Nabih – Shimon Peres, the former prime minister: “Nabih proved that a man can be a wonderful person and a courageous soldier, and he proved that personal charm does not know the borders of nationality or class, and our admiration for him will continue even after that tragic bullet His life … “Ariel Sharon, Minister of National Infrastructures:” May the commemoration in memory of the esteemed fighter and the exceptional commander serve the Jewish citizens of the country as a means of getting to know the Druze community, its customs, tradition, courage and determination as expressed in its personality Of Colonel Nabih Mar’i. ” Yitzhak Mordechai, the Minister of Defense: “In his lifetime, Colonel Nabia headed his soldiers and served as his personal example.The courageous between the Druze and the Jews in defending the State of Israel and its borders. “Avigdor Kahalani, Minister of the Interior:” Nabiya was a soldier in uniform and we were filled with pride for the commander. He was the man in uniform whose soldiers were proud to be his subordinates. Nabiya symbolized all the beauty in Israel. “Major General Matan Vilnai:” Nabiya, a young Druze from the village of Hurfeish in the Upper Galilee, dedicated his life to the IDF, and served most of his service in the south of the country. He devoted his entire life to the security of the State of Israel, and for his own security he even gave his life. Prof. Amnon Rubinstein, former Minister of Education and Culture: “During the short period during which I met Nabih, the impression he left on me was that he was one of those rare people who were destined for greatness.” His unique personality, leadership ability, and commitment to peace impressed all those who knew him ” .
