A composite photo of the four Israeli soldiers killed when a terrorist rammed his truck into a group of cadets on January 8, 2017 in Jerusalem. Clockwise from left, IDF Lieutenant Yael Yekutiel, IDF Cadet Shir Hajaj, IDF Cadet Erez Orbach, IDF Cadet Shira Tzur. (Handout photos from IDF spokesperson)
Four soldiers killed in a truck-ramming terror attack on Sunday were identified as Lieutenant Yael Yekutiel (20) of Givatayim, Cadet Shir Hajaj (22) of Maaleh Adumim, Cadet Shira Tzur (20) from Haifa, and Cadet Erez Orbach (20) from Alon Shvut.
The 20-year-old Orbach was the eldest of Uri and Keren Orbach’s six children.
He studied in Neve Shmuel Yeshiva in Efrat, then continued his studies in Ma’alot Yeshiva.
Although he was exempt from army service, he fought for the opportunity to volunteer, and was a cadet in officers’ training school.
Orbach’s funeral will take place Monday morning at 11 a.m. in the military cemetery in Kfar Etzion.
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IDF Cadet Shir Hajaj who was killed when a terrorist rammed his truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in the Armon Nanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. January 8, 2017. Handout photo IDF Spokesperson)
Hajaj will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. Monday in Har Herzl’s military cemetery.
Hajaj, friends of the family said, volunteered at her high school giving tuition to students who needed additional help.
Tzur will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. Monday in Haifa’s military cemetery.
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A friend of the family, Yaron, told Channel 2 that, “We’ll always remember her smiling, and looking ahead to the next challenge. Shira’s song will never be stopped.”
Yekutiel will be laid to rest at 3 p.m. Monday in Kiryat Shaul military cemetery.
The 20-year-old Yekutiel, friends said, wanted to serve in a combat role in the IDF.
Sixteen others were injured, two of them very seriously, in the attack which occurred as a group of soldiers were getting off a bus at the promenade, a popular tourist spot in southern Jerusalem, when Fadi al-Qunbar drove a large flatbed truck into them.
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IDF Lieutenant Yael Yekutiel who was killed when a terrorist rammed his truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in the Armon Hanatzivv neighborhood of Jerusalem. January 8, 2017. (Handout photo IDF Spokesperson)
The driver accelerated as he struck the group. After he hit the soldiers, he put the vehicle into reverse and began to run over them a second time.
IDF Cadet Shira Tzur who was killed when a terrorist rammed his truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in the Armon Nanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. January 8, 2017. Handout photo IDF Spokesperson)
The terrorist was shot by soldiers and a civilian tour guide, police said. He died of his wounds.
IDF Cadet Erez Orbach who was killed when a terrorist rammed his truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in the Armon Nanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. January 8, 2017. Handout photo IDF Spokesperson)
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