Liel Itach, 22: ‘Perfectionist’ planned to study engineering
Murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7
Liel Itach, 22, from Anatot, was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7.
Liel attended the festival with Ziv Frenkel and Lin Dafni, two friends he had met on his travels in South America after his military service. When the rocket fire began, another friend of Liel’s told him to come with him in his car, but Liel chose to stay to try and protect protect Ziv and Lin.
Footage from the scene showed Liel defending Ziv and Lin with his own body. His father, Kobi, said he later drew the terrorists away from them before being shot dead. Ziv and Lin were also later murdered in the attack.
Liel was buried on October 9 in Maaleh Adumim. He is survived by his parents, Yonit and Kobi, and his three younger siblings, Yuval, Ariel and Maor.
He grew up in Jerusalem and Anatot, living for the last couple years of his life in Yavne, according to an online eulogy. He attended schools in Jerusalem, and completed his military service in the Israeli Air Force, serving on the Hatzor Airbase.
After his release, Liel worked in order to save up money for his big trip abroad, then spent six months touring around South America. Upon his return, he registered to start studying mechanical engineering in a course slated to begin on October 2023.
He loved sports, played tennis, and had a boating license. Father Kobi said Liel was a massive fan of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team from a very young age. He also was obsessed with cars and could identify every type and model.
Mother Yonit said Liel was “ambitious and had many dreams and the qualities of someone who would succeed.”
Kobi told Israel Hayom that Liel was a “perfectionist.”
“He was a boy who would set himself goals and achieve them. Nothing stopped him, and he did everything perfectly until the end. He always worked, both in high school and during the army,” he said.
Liel’s sister, Yuval, said he would always light up any place he went to and always took care of others.
“You were an abnormally smart boy, I cannot stop loving you because of how special you were. I’m sure you would have had the most beautiful and pure kids just like you,” she said.
His aunt, Inbal, told Israel Hayom that even in his last hours, “Liel exhibited heroism, courage, nobility, and a big heart.”
“Liel was a wonderful guy who was full of giving and love. He was independent and caring, full of charisma and ambition,” she said.
Liel’s best friend, Shoham, wrote on an Instagram page in his memory that Liel had the biggest heart and had lived his life the way everyone wished they could.
“You did everything, you tried everything, and you championed it all,” he wrote. “You were a role model, and only now, do I realize how much I learned from you and how greatly you affected my life. You were the best friend anyone could ask for, you never disappointed.”
