Below is a letter from Sergeant Ori Bar Zvi of the Israeli Defense Forces. He writes about his current experiences in the ongoing Gaza Strip Conflict, and shares from his heart regarding the deaths of so many of his friends. Please read, share this letter through your social media outlets, and continue to pray for Israel!
Dear Lovers of Israel,
In light of the current events in Israel, I just want to share my heart and my feelings with you…
My name is Sergeant Ori Bar Zvi and I am 22 years old. I was raised in a Zionist home, and because of that I served 3 years in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat instructor, training Israeli officers and soldiers to be better fighters. I was released from the army last January after serving a very important and meaningful service. This horrible war is appalling to me because it has affected so many of my friends that I have trained and become attached to in so many ways.
My first friend who died last week was Captain Dimitri Levitas, age 26. He was a platoon commander of Division 188 and I trained him for almost one year. I was very proud to be a part of the team that made him a better officer and better fighter. He died happy – fighting for Israel to be free from Hamas rockets and attack tunnels. He is my hero.
A few days later, my friend Captain Zvi Kaplan, age 28, was killed in a Hamas ambush in Gaza. He was a great guy, and was part of a group of 80 officers that I trained last year. I will always remember him.
The worst news came last Friday when I learned about the death of my best friend Officer Roy Peles, age 21. He was my age and I had known him since elementary school. Growing up, we spent so much time together playing football and having fun as children that age wish to have. Roy had a big smile on his face, and he was always so optimistic and happy. He decided to extend his service at IDF so he could become an officer in the commando unit of the Nahal Division. He died Friday night when a Hamas missile hit his position. His smile will stay with me as long as I live.
Unfortunately, this is the life of young people in Israel. I am only 22 years old and have already lost so many friends. This is the story of the State of Israel – young people are being buried by their parents and grandmothers and grandfathers. This is so horrible and not right. I hope that peace comes to this region very soon.
My heart is broken, but we in Israel have to move forward. Israel will prevail because we are more united than ever before. I always remember that God gave us this land in making a covenant with Abraham, and God is always on our side.
I call upon all Lovers of Israel to stand with her and to pray for the safe return of all Israeli soldiers from Gaza.
God bless you always. Keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem.
Yours faithfully,
Ori Bar Zvi
To learn more about Daystar’s work in Israel, and for ways that you can get involved, please visit Daystar.com/Israel.