"Arbeli, I tried all night to write something, but I couldn't. In fact, it was only after we returned this morning from the hospital in Nahariya, after we gave you our final kisses goodbye that I was able to write a few words.

What an absurd world it is, where fathers eulogize their sons and not the opposite. Even more absurd is that a grandmother is bringing her grandson to be buried.

How symbolic it is Arbeli, you were born on the 10th of Iyar, the anniversary of the death of your grandfather Yitzhak for whom you were named, and today, the 27th of Tamuz, the anniversary of the death of your grandmother Sima, we are bringing you to your eternal resting place.

The last phone call that I received from you was on Wednesday around 4 after noon, when I was on my way from Nahariya to kibutz  Afeq. Between us, there was an unwritten agreement that you would call to update each time you knew that you would not be able to call that evening and from this, we would understand that you were heading out on an operational activity, and I always asked you to take care of yourself and wished you success, this time too. But this time we made a date to meet this Friday. Unfortunately, the bitter announcement reached us sooner. Yesterday at 6:15AM, we were informed that you had fallen in battle while on an operational activity with your company in Gaza.

Even today how symbolic it was my dear Arbel, we drove to the hospital in Nahariya to say our goodbyes to you, to the place where your final journey began. How symbolic it is that it was the same hospital that we said our goodbyes to both your grandfathers, Baruch and Yaacov.

My dear Arbel,
We will continue to remain together as a family, to support one another and be as strong as possible- Einav, Moran, and your mother Yael and grandmother Sarah, with all the rest of our close and distant relatives, friends and acquaintances.

We will continue Arbel's path, his path of giving, loving, his way of helping others and his humility.

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

Goodbye to you, our dear and beloved son.
A son of Yuvalim
A son of Misgav
A son of the Galilee
A son of an Elite unit of Givati and the Israel Defense Forces
A son of the State of Israel and the Jewish People."