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The small community of Tzofar in the Arava region, home to only about 500 residents, has been repeatedly struck by tragedy. Since October 7, the town has lost three of its young members, all from the same high school class and close-knit group of friends. Staff sergeant Ido Appel, who was killed by an explosive device near Rafah , was laid to rest on Wednesday in Tzofar’s small cemetery.

His close friends, Staff sergeant Roy Elias and Staff sergeant Gali Roy Shakotai, had already been buried side by side after falling in battle – Gali during the horrific massacre on October 7, and Roy during combat in the southern Gaza Strip. The three friends were inseparable, from their early days in kindergarten to their untimely deaths. Now, out of their school group of nine vibrant young individuals, only six remain.



On Tuesday, upon hearing the devastating news of Ido’s death, the remaining members of the group left their military posts and reunited at home for the third time under such sorrowful circumstances. 4 Gali Roy Shakotai, Roy Elias, and Ido Appel Avia, Ido Appel’s sister, shared that the family spoke with him for the last time just two days ago. "He celebrated his 21st birthday, and we dedicated a song to him on the radio.

We made sure he heard the dedication. He texted us 'Thank you so much, and good night,' and said he appreciated it. That was our last conversation.

Twenty-four hours later, we found out he had been killed," she recalled. She described her brother as .

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