'A hero of Israel': Counterterrorism Officer Arnon Zamora dies after rescuing hostages
Arnon Zamora was fatally wounded during the rescue operation, which brought back four hostages from Hamas captivity.
Ch.-Insp. Arnon Zamora, 36, the National Counterterrorism Unit (Yamam) fighter who was fatally wounded in Saturday’s intense hostage rescue operation, succumbed to his wounds in hospital, the Israel Police announced.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
The Yamam unit of the Israel Police deals with counter-terrorism operations and has been active throughout the war.Tributes to Zamora’s “supreme bravery” poured in from the government and armed forces.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also commended Zamora for volunteering to fight on October 7.
“I salute Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, commander in the elite Yamam Unit, who fell while leading a daring operation to rescue four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. He lived and fell a hero,” Gallant said.
Tributes pour in
Zamora fought at Yad Mordechai, a battle that was instrumental in halting Hamas’s terrorist incursions into Israel.Foreign Minister Israel Katz also conveyed his condolences, paraphrasing King David’s lament for King Saul. "Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen,” Katz said.
תנחומיי העמוקים על מותו של מפקד ולוחם הימ"מ, פקד ארנון זמורה ז"ל, שנפל בפעולת הגבורה להצלת החטופים משבי החמאס בעזה.ארנון ייזכר לנצח כאחד מגיבורי ישראל עליהם אמר דוד המלך: "מנשרים קלו ומאריות גברו, הצבי ישראל על במותיך חלל איך נפלו גיבורים".יהי זכרו ברוך. pic.twitter.com/dbsp9YkZrH
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) June 8, 2024
Border Police Commander Asst.-Ch. Barik Yitzhak also paid tribute to Zamora and the other Border Police fighters, saying, “The [identities of] IDF fighters cannot be exposed – but it is important that the people of Israel know that they have someone to trust – brave and valuable fighters who put the security of the state and the citizens of Israel first in their minds. On behalf of the Border Guard, I share in the family’s grief.”
The IDF said, “Arnon is a hero of Israel, a lover of the land, and a protector. He led the force that rescued the four abductees who returned to Israel from the heart of the Gaza Strip.”
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