"Guardians of the Walls" - Roi Nahari, Z"L
The Story of the Heroic Fan-Soldier Who Saved Many Lives in Life and Death
07/10/2023
| 10:00
| Community
Captain Roi Nahari, commander of a platoon in the 202nd Paratroopers Battalion, saved many lives on Black Saturday and afterward. He left behind his parents, Iris and Ronen, his twin brother Bar, who is also an officer in the Paratroopers, and two additional siblings. He was a devoted fan of the team and a player in the youth department. On the morning of October 7th, he set out to fight in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where he was wounded and died two days later from his injuries. This is his story of heroism as told by a teammate:
"07/10, 06:00 AM. Change of duties at the Tzur Hadassah outpost. This is Roi's last Sabbath with the team he commands. The last Sabbath at the end of five long and meaningful years of service for Roi, filled with combat leadership and love for his country. The last Sabbath before the long-awaited discharge and the start of the civilian chapter in his life.
An esteemed officer, that was Roi Nahari, Z"L.
At 06:30, the reports started coming in. Burning bases and kibbutzim, casualties on the roads, and hostages taken, Hamas had breached the border into Israel. Roi had no specific assignments, but he knew the mission: to head south as quickly as possible. There were civilians to save and terrorists to neutralize. Roi hurried his team to put on their uniforms and grab the necessary equipment quickly. They boarded the Hummers led by the mobility fighters and began the journey into hell in the south. Roi’s Hummer led the way.
Initially, the team arrived in Sderot. After a brief stay there and the arrival of additional forces, the team received orders to go and clear Zikim Beach. As they walked along the beach, the team experienced fire and death. Bodies of fighters and civilians lay on the ground, tanks were burning. For an hour and a half, the team cleared the beach. They did not encounter the enemy but did come across two injured individuals and the body of a Golani fighter. Roi made sure to evacuate the fighter, and it was the only body to leave Zikim Beach in the first two weeks of fighting. They treated the injured and moved them to safety.
Another order came down for the team: to reach Kfar Aza. The Hummers were on the move. There were battles at the Yad Mordechai intersection, and Roi quickly stopped the Hummers and went to assist the military force dealing with the fire. In collaboration, they killed four terrorists who had taken position at that intersection, which they intended to turn into a field of death. The team continued driving and arrived at Kfar Aza. The entrance was blocked, with many military forces outside. Roi didn't care — "People are dying there, we don't have time," he ordered the mobility fighters leading the Hummers to continue forward.
They were in hell, in Kfar Aza filled with dozens of terrorists. The Hummers stopped, and Roi led. The initial movement involved jumping under fire and navigating through explosives planted by terrorists. This was the first time the team experienced combat, but it wasn’t felt. The team was well-trained, and they had a commander like no other in the army. Following Roi was done with eyes closed. But Roi's eyes were not closed — they were focused on the citizens trapped in fire and dirt in their homes. Inside the homes were both terrorists and civilians, so the fighting had to be precise and careful.
The civilians were holed up in shelters and refused to come out until Roi managed to persuade one citizen to come out and moved them to safety. The team continued to advance slowly and cautiously, clearing a few homes as they could. Evening arrived, and the team received a brief respite from fighting. The fighters prepared for another round of combat, this time at night. During the break, they updated their families that they were okay. But Roi didn't want to contact anyone who might divert his focus from the mission. His twin brother Bar persistently managed to secure a few minutes for a conversation with Roi, which would be their last. Roi laughed during the call, smiling and full of confidence. He promised to keep him updated and to take care of himself. That was the last conversation between Roi and Bar.
Roi (on the left) during a brief respite from fighting.
In a house further down the street, there was an indication of hostages. This was the house the team was currently approaching. They needed to be sensitive, not wanting to accidentally harm civilians. The team spotted a figure in a green shirt and vest moving inside the house, resembling members of the alert squad. The team shouted "IDF! IDF!" not wanting to open fire to avoid hitting civilians. Then, the first grenade was thrown at the team, and the terrorists inside the house began firing. After returning fire, Roi was hit and took a bullet to the face. Supported by a team member, he walked himself to evacuation. Despite the blood and pain, Roi raised a fist to his team, encouraging them to stay strong and continue fighting. The spirit of the commander would continue even when he was gone. As this gesture echoed behind him, Roi left.
Roi was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition for two days. When he finally succumbed to his injuries, his family honored his choice to donate his organs. In death, Roi saved five civilians and was the first soldier in the war to donate his organs.
Roi Nahari, Z"L, a hero of Israel. May his memory be a blessing.
"07/10, 06:00 AM. Change of duties at the Tzur Hadassah outpost. This is Roi's last Sabbath with the team he commands. The last Sabbath at the end of five long and meaningful years of service for Roi, filled with combat leadership and love for his country. The last Sabbath before the long-awaited discharge and the start of the civilian chapter in his life.
An esteemed officer, that was Roi Nahari, Z"L.
At 06:30, the reports started coming in. Burning bases and kibbutzim, casualties on the roads, and hostages taken, Hamas had breached the border into Israel. Roi had no specific assignments, but he knew the mission: to head south as quickly as possible. There were civilians to save and terrorists to neutralize. Roi hurried his team to put on their uniforms and grab the necessary equipment quickly. They boarded the Hummers led by the mobility fighters and began the journey into hell in the south. Roi’s Hummer led the way.
Initially, the team arrived in Sderot. After a brief stay there and the arrival of additional forces, the team received orders to go and clear Zikim Beach. As they walked along the beach, the team experienced fire and death. Bodies of fighters and civilians lay on the ground, tanks were burning. For an hour and a half, the team cleared the beach. They did not encounter the enemy but did come across two injured individuals and the body of a Golani fighter. Roi made sure to evacuate the fighter, and it was the only body to leave Zikim Beach in the first two weeks of fighting. They treated the injured and moved them to safety.
Another order came down for the team: to reach Kfar Aza. The Hummers were on the move. There were battles at the Yad Mordechai intersection, and Roi quickly stopped the Hummers and went to assist the military force dealing with the fire. In collaboration, they killed four terrorists who had taken position at that intersection, which they intended to turn into a field of death. The team continued driving and arrived at Kfar Aza. The entrance was blocked, with many military forces outside. Roi didn't care — "People are dying there, we don't have time," he ordered the mobility fighters leading the Hummers to continue forward.
They were in hell, in Kfar Aza filled with dozens of terrorists. The Hummers stopped, and Roi led. The initial movement involved jumping under fire and navigating through explosives planted by terrorists. This was the first time the team experienced combat, but it wasn’t felt. The team was well-trained, and they had a commander like no other in the army. Following Roi was done with eyes closed. But Roi's eyes were not closed — they were focused on the citizens trapped in fire and dirt in their homes. Inside the homes were both terrorists and civilians, so the fighting had to be precise and careful.
The civilians were holed up in shelters and refused to come out until Roi managed to persuade one citizen to come out and moved them to safety. The team continued to advance slowly and cautiously, clearing a few homes as they could. Evening arrived, and the team received a brief respite from fighting. The fighters prepared for another round of combat, this time at night. During the break, they updated their families that they were okay. But Roi didn't want to contact anyone who might divert his focus from the mission. His twin brother Bar persistently managed to secure a few minutes for a conversation with Roi, which would be their last. Roi laughed during the call, smiling and full of confidence. He promised to keep him updated and to take care of himself. That was the last conversation between Roi and Bar.
Roi (on the left) during a brief respite from fighting.
In a house further down the street, there was an indication of hostages. This was the house the team was currently approaching. They needed to be sensitive, not wanting to accidentally harm civilians. The team spotted a figure in a green shirt and vest moving inside the house, resembling members of the alert squad. The team shouted "IDF! IDF!" not wanting to open fire to avoid hitting civilians. Then, the first grenade was thrown at the team, and the terrorists inside the house began firing. After returning fire, Roi was hit and took a bullet to the face. Supported by a team member, he walked himself to evacuation. Despite the blood and pain, Roi raised a fist to his team, encouraging them to stay strong and continue fighting. The spirit of the commander would continue even when he was gone. As this gesture echoed behind him, Roi left.
Roi was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition for two days. When he finally succumbed to his injuries, his family honored his choice to donate his organs. In death, Roi saved five civilians and was the first soldier in the war to donate his organs.
Roi Nahari, Z"L, a hero of Israel. May his memory be a blessing.
