Natanel, Eliyahu (Eli)

Eliyahu, son of Batya and Shabtai Natanel, was born in 1929 in a remote city in Iraq. His parents immigrated to Israel and settled in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1935. Eliyahu was an adventure enthusiast from his childhood, studied in a vocational school and excelled in his studies. He worked as a mechanic and as an artisan from the age of 14. He was an active member of the Haganah. At the outbreak of the War of Independence, Eliyahu enlisted among the first and was active as a sniper and a translator. Several times he was among the rescuers of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City. In Katamon he volunteered to serve as a sniper instead of his friend. Eliyahu was hit in the chest in Mamilla Street in Jerusalem by a sniper bullet. He was taken to Bikur Cholim Hospital and underwent surgery. All the doctors’ efforts to save him failed and he died of his wounds on 3 Sivan, June 10, 1948, the day before the first truce began. He was buried in Sheikh Badar A. On the 28th of Elul 5710 (10.9.1950) he was put to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.