Draft:Sgt. Gur Kehati

Gur Kehati

Sergeant Gur Kehati (November 17, 2004 – November 20, 2024) was an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier who served in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade and was killed in an irregular incident. during combat in southern Lebanon during the Israel-Hamas war.

Early life and family background

Gur Kehati was born in 2004 to Ron and Ma'ayan Kahati from Moshav Nir Banim in the Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. His father, Ron Kehati, previously worked as an archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority and as a supervisor of antiquities trade. Gur had four siblings: Neta, Avigail, Ivri, and Ira.

Gur's grandfather is Brigadier General (Reserve) Asaf Agmon, a former senior officer in the Israeli Air Force and experienced pilot. Agmon (born May 14, 1948) served as a pilot and commander in the Air Force, decorated with the Chief of Staff's Commendation, and was involved in covert operations for the airlift of Ethiopian Jews.

Education and interests

Gur Kehati was described as a curious child who loved nature, characterized by creative thinking and unconventional problem-solving approaches. He completed a year of national service with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel through the Haifa touring circles, which emphasized his love for nature and the Land of Israel. He possessed extensive technical knowledge and engaged in repairing cars and motorcycles as a hobby.

Military service

Gur enlisted in the IDF in December 2023 and served as a field medic in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, and served as the squad medic. His fellow soldiers described him as "a field man, a soul everyone admired."

Death

On November 20, 2024, during military activity at an archaeological fortress in southern Lebanon, an encounter occurred with Hezbollah terrorists. When his commander, Lieutenant Colonel (Reserve) Yoav Yarom, was wounded, Gur ran as the squad medic to treat him and was hit during the fighting. Also killed in the encounter was Zeev (Zhabo) Hanoch Ehrlich, a 70-year-old researcher of the Land of Israel who had accompanied the forces by a personal request.

Gur was posthumously promoted from the rank of corporal to sergeant. He was buried in the Nir Banim cemetery on November 21, 2024.

Aftermath and controversy

Gur Kehati's death garnered significant attention, not only due to the circumstances of the incident but also because of the harsh eulogy delivered by his grandfather at the funeral. Agmon severely criticized the political echelon and senior IDF command, calling for a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the incident.

On January 1, 2025, an investigation report of the incident was presented to the Chief of Staff, revealing additional cases of civilians entering combat zones without authorization.

Following the investigation, the Golani chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel (Reserve) Yoav Yarom, who was the commanding officer of the incident and was wounded during it, took responsibility for the incident and requested to retire from the IDF.

On December 26, 2024, during a memorial conference for Zeev Ehrlich, Agmon and members of Kehati's family burst into the hall in Shavei Shomron, protested loudly, and confronted conference guests, particularly senior IDF commanders who participated in it

Significance

The incident highlighted concerns about command decisions and adherence to military protocols during active combat operations. The case became emblematic of broader issues regarding military accountability and the protection of soldiers' lives during wartime operations.