Israeli flags placed beside grave of fallen soldier torn, vandalized

Israeli flags were discovered torn and vandalized near the grave of Staff Sgt. Regev Amar, a soldier who perished during the October 7 attack. The assailants have not been identified, but Amar's mother, Gilanit, expressed her sorrow in a social media post, stating that it was "painfully difficult" to learn of the desecration. Regev, who fought for all of Israel's citizens regardless of background, was buried at Sde Nehemia cemetery near the Nahal Hermon river, adjacent to a popular hiking path.

The heartbreaking act of vandalism occurred for the second time in a week, as Regev's mother lamented. Regev, a 20-year-old Negev machine gunner, attended a squad commanders course and aspired to become an officer, eventually specializing in trauma medicine. On the day of the assault, he was deployed to the Gaza border and bravely fought against terrorist cells, rescuing a young woman from a kidnapping attempt.

Despite sustaining severe injuries and losing sensation in his legs, Regev continued to direct the fight, even ordering his comrades not to approach him out of concern for their safety. His unwavering commitment to his duty was demonstrated when, upon his comrades' attempt to rescue him, he uttered the words, "If you come near me, you will die.

Stay where you are." Tragically, one of his comrades recited "Shema Yisrael" with him, and a grenade was thrown toward Regev, causing his death. Following his passing, Regev was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. His family honored his memory by establishing "Derech Regev" in Sde Nehemia, a pre-military academy in the Galil Elyon region, which will embody his values of love for the land, environmental stewardship, compassion for others, and community service.