1200 civilians were murdered on October 7, 2023. Not killed in battle or casualties of war. There was no war. They were shot, stabbed and burned in a premeditated act of mass murder by invaders, while they hid unarmed in their homes. There is a world of difference, and this is why we cannot ever forget or forgive. Not ever.

But of course there have been and continue to be soldier casualties. Most of these are young men, because young men most often get sent to the front in active battle. In Israel, everyone, male or female, must serve in the army for three years after finishing high school, from the age of around 18 to 21. Orthodox religious people are exempt from army duty (always a topic of heavy discussion) and so are Arab Israelis, although they can and do enlist if they want to. After this compulsory army service, everyone is expected to serve around one month a year in the reserve army until age 40.

As a mother of teenage boys, army duty at 18/19 seems ridiculously young to me. Why do we have kids defending our country? Of course, there are the reservists and the professional soldiers, who are older. But most casualties are 19, 20, 21 years old. It gets to me every time again. Every time again a young life is lost, a mother’s heart is broken, a family ripped apart, siblings and girlfriends and friends traumatized.

One of those soldiers was Ethiopian Israeli Yehonathan Semo. He was sent to Gaza after October 7, was heavily injured on November 8 and died of his wounds on November 10. He was 21 years old. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Paratroopers’ 202nd Battalion.

Yehonathan went to Neveh Shmuel Yeshiva High School. Apart from him, two other boys from the same class were killed in the war: Eytan Dishon and Eitan Rosenzweig. All three were only 21 years old.

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Obviously, the death of these three young men left a deep impression on the rest of their classmates. Yehonathan was hospitalized two days before he died, so a group of his friends and former classmates were able to visit and say goodbye. He was described as a “people’s person”, someone who was always surrounded by friends, open and outgoing. He was also an athlete, a fast sprinter and a good soccer player.

The death of these three boys is nothing short of tragic. But there is a beautiful side to this story, too. Yehonathan Semo carried an organ donor card when he was injured. After his death in the hospital, his family gave permission for his organs to be donated. And this is how Yehonathan Semo saved six lives after his own death.

Meir Atsaba, 36, a father of two, who suffered from a lung disease, received Yehonathan’s lungs. Yaakov Malka, a 46 year old father of four, got his heart. The surgeon who performed the transplant said: “This heart, which was once in the body of the late Yehonathan and today beats in the body of Yaakov, is the heart of the State of Israel.”

Yehonathan’s parents, Ayelet and Moshe Samo, visited Yaakov Malka and listened to the heart of their son beating in Yaakov’s chest.

Ayelet said: “We feel overwhelmed, but the knowledge that we have made life possible for others strengthens us.”

They also visited 9 month old Tehila, who was born with a genetic liver disease. She received part of Yehonathan’s liver.

A 10 year old child received one of Yehonathan’s kidneys, while the other kidney and the rest of his liver went to two 50 year old patients.

This is not the only story of fallen soldiers donating their organs, but it is one that touched the entire nation deeply and inspired many to sign donor cards. So at least something good can come out of this terrible mess.

I hope that Yehonathan’s parents, friends and four younger siblings are able to find some comfort in the fact that their loved one managed to save six people’s lives after his death. But he will still leave a huge gap in their lives forever.

Rest in peace, Yehonathan Semo. May the next life turn out better for you.

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