The war with Gaza has hit close to home

Staff Sergeant Yona Betzalel Brief, 23, died on Nov. 26, 2024, as a result of wounds he sustained on Oct. 7, 2023, near the Gaza border. Brief was the nephew of Lake Mary residents Dr. Bruce and Debra Hoffen and cousin of Sara and Frances Hoffen.

Brief was 23 and the youngest son (of six children) of Hazel and David Brief, who have lived in Modi'in, Israel for 30 years. David is the brother of Debra Hoffen.

Yona, a combat medic in the elite Duvdevan unit, died at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer where he was hospitalized for 417 days before he died.

"He's a symbol of Israel," said Debra. "He served in the IDF for five years and he was in his last month of service when he was shot."

Yona was initially injured in May 2023 during an operational mission in Tul Karm in the West Bank but underwent rehabilitation and returned to his unit.

According to Haaretz news, Yona was with his team on the morning of Oct. 7 fighting Hamas militants in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. He was struck by 13 bullets all over his body while he was dragging the wounded to safety.

"They eliminated dozens of terrorists and saved dozens of civilians from the kibbutz, until they were suddenly hit by a barrage of gunfire," said former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who visited Yona in the hospital.

Yona's legs were amputated and his body sustained several injuries. He was conscious for part of his hospitalization and even spoke with his family and visitors. "Help others, it will help you too," he told journalist Hanoch Daum about six months ago.

"I want to share my appreciation for Rabbi Jeffrey Spector of Congregation Ohev Shalom and Rabbi Yanky Majesky for the misheberakh (prayers for healing) they said during his 417 days in the hospital," said Debra. She and Bruce plan to go to Israel in a few weeks to be with the family.

Staff Sergeant Yona Betzalel Brief was buried at Mount Herzl cemetery.