August 2, 2006

Israeli soldiers kidnapped by
Hezbollah & Hamas

Gilad Shalit was born on August 28, 1986 (19 years old) in Mitzpe Hila in the Western Galilee. He is a corporal in the Armored Corps of the Israel Defense Forces. Gilad has a brother, Yoel, and a sister, Hadas. He recently graduated from Manor Cabri high-school, where he excelled in math and science. He loves sports. He plays basketball and follows international leagues and tournaments in everything from football to cycling.

Photo: IDF

Gilad enlisted in the IDF about a year ago, choosing to follow in his brother's footsteps by joining a combat unit. Family and friends describe Gilad as quiet and kind, with a smile on his face at all times. He was serving on a post near the Gaza Strip, securing surrounding Israeli towns, when Palestinian terrorists attacked the base and kidnapped him.

 

Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser is a 31 year old engineer from Nahariyah. He has two younger brothers. He has spent his entire life exploring and studying the world around him. As a child, Udi sailed the seas with his father. As a teenager, he lived in South Africa with his family. He has toured Australia on a motorcycle and traveled in South America and the Canary Islands.

He studied environmental engineering and now works at the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) in Haifa. He is also a member of the Green Patrol, a group of environmental activists. He wife is Karnit, whom he has loved for nine years and married ten months ago. They are planning to have children and raise a family together. Udi was kidnapped by Hezbollah terrorists near Israel's border with Lebanon on July 12, on what was supposed to be the final day of his 28 day army service.

 

Eldad Regev is a 26 year old from Kiryat Motzkin, near Haifa. He is one of four boys. His mother, Tova, passed away eight years ago. Eldad spent three years in the Givati combat unit, after which he traveled to the Far East, like many Israelis do after army service, to relax. He hopes to study law at Bar Ilan University and at the time of his call-up, he had just completed a pre-academic course as preparation. Eldad loves football. He was thrilled to be able to watch the final World Cup match between France and Italy, even while he was serving in the army. He has recently taken a course on coaching football. Eldad is also a lover of music, an avid reader and a friend who seeks to help his loved ones and reach out to his community. He was kidnapped, along with Udi Goldwasser, on his last day of his reserve duty.

See also: Israeli soldiers MIA