‘Terrorist Nearby, Might Shoot’ Late Israel Soldier’s Text Amid Attack

On a sombre Saturday morning, the Zikim military base, a bastion of Israeli security, found itself under siege by Hamas terrorists who, daringly, arrived by sea. Among those stationed at the base was Cpl. Naama Boni, a valiant member of the 77th Battalion of the Armored Corps. As the base fell under the sudden onslaught, Cpl. Boni and her comrades sought refuge from the chaos that ensued.

The Desperate Moments

Amidst the mayhem, Cpl. Boni's courage shone brightly. She used her phone to reach out to her friends and family, delivering a message that resonated with both the gravity of her situation and her love for her dear ones. 

She wrote, "I deeply care for all of you. I have a head injury, and a terrorist nearby might start shooting at me. I am currently with an injured soldier from the Golani Brigade, and there are no reinforcements available."

In a subsequent message, Cpl. Boni shared the chilling circumstances unfolding around her. "There is a terrorist here who won't go away," she recounted. "I can hear someone screaming, and there appears to be a human casualty." Her messages painted a vivid picture of a young soldier thrust into a situation of unimaginable peril.

The anguish extended to her family, who, as the day progressed, grew increasingly frantic while trying to locate her. Despite their tireless efforts, they could only ascertain that she had been hospitalised at Brazilai Medical Center, but no one would divulge her condition. The waiting, the uncertainty, and the hope that she might still be alive all came to a crushing end when an officer arrived at her parent's doorstep, bearing the tragic news that Cpl. Naama Boni had passed away.

A Life of Promise Cut Short

Naama Boni was a young woman with dreams and aspirations. Born and raised in the city of Afula, she answered the call to serve her country just seven months after graduating from high school. Her family had recently celebrated her 19th birthday, little knowing that it would be her last. Her story is an example of the precious lives affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.

Cpl. Naama Boni's ordeal is not an isolated incident but part of a broader tragedy.  She joins the ranks of at least 1,200 Israelis who have lost their lives in Hamas attacks, including 155 soldiers. Thousands more have been wounded, and some have been taken hostage, adding to the anguish of their families. In Gaza, the toll is equally distressing, with over a thousand lives lost due to the retaliatory actions.

This sorrowful chapter in history underscores the urgent need for peace and resolution in the region. It reminds us that behind every statistic lies a story, a family, and a world of unfulfilled potential.

Cpl. Naama Boni's messages, filled with a potent mix of love, courage, and despair, echo loudly, imploring us to strive for a better future in which such tragedies are no longer a reality. We honour her memory and the countless others who have made sacrifices in the name of peace and security.

Suggested reading: Operation Ajay: First Batch Of Indians To Fly Out Of Israel On October 12