In the somber annals of military valor, the heroic saga of the late Corporal Amichai Rubin emerges as a testament to unwavering courage and selfless dedication. Aged 23, hailing from the city of Acre, Corporal Rubin found himself stationed at the Southern MDP outpost, situated in close proximity to the volatile border with Gaza, on that fateful day when the ominous specter of a Hamas attack cast its dark shadow.

The unfolding of events bore witness to a deceptive artillery shell, triggering a frantic scramble among the soldiers to seek refuge within the secure confines of the outpost's dining room. Yet, amid the chaos and disarray, they were stripped of their weapons. In the crucible of this perilous moment, Corporal Rubin emerged as a beacon of courage, among the first to defy the odds, brandishing his personal weapon in a resolute stand against the encroaching threat.

Shouldering the mantle of leadership, Corporal Rubin, alongside his steadfast commander and a fellow soldier, assumed the role of guardians for those confined within the protective shelter. It was during the fierce melee that tragedy befell him, as he sustained an injury to his leg, an affliction that failed to quell his indomitable spirit. Undeterred, he continued to fight valiantly, his resolve undiminished even as he assumed a kneeling posture to compensate for his physical impediment.

The harrowing ordeal reached its tragic zenith when a fatal shot found its mark, striking Corporal Rubin in the head. Astonishingly, the gallant soldier persisted in his valiant struggle for an additional twenty minutes, a testament to his unparalleled resilience and unyielding dedication to the cause. It was only when the inexorable toll of his injuries finally overcame him that Corporal Rubin succumbed to unconsciousness, heralding the onset of a profound and irreversible brain death.

Transported to the hospital in the early hours of a somber Saturday, Corporal Amichai Rubin's noble sacrifice extended beyond the confines of the battlefield. In a final act of altruism, his organs became a source of life for five fellow Israelis, embodying the spirit of generosity and communal solidarity that defines the fabric of a nation.

In the wake of his untimely demise, the military hierarchy posthumously recognized Corporal Rubin's exemplary service, elevating him to the esteemed rank of Sergeant. A poignant epitaph adorns his memory, for he is now remembered as Corporal Amichai Rubin, of blessed memory, a paragon of valor and sacrifice that shall forever resonate in the annals of military history.

Photo: Amichai Rubin was killed in the war, and even in his death he continued to save lives. Of blessed memory (Photo: Courtesy of the family)