Staff Sgt. Ofir Zioni, 21: Golani soldier with ‘endless generosity’
Killed battling the Hamas invasion of the IDF Erez outpost on October 7
Staff Sgt. Ofir Zioni, 21, a squad commander in the Golani Brigade, from Yokne’am Illit, was killed on October 7 battling the Hamas invasion of the Erez outpost.
He was stationed at the small Erez outpost next to the Zikim base that morning. He and his comrades were among the first to battle the terrorists who had stormed across the Gaza border just a couple kilometers away.
They jumped into action and suited up with the start of the fighting, but were vastly outnumbered. Early on in the battle, Ofir was hit by two bullets that breached a gap in his ceramic vest, and he was killed on the spot.
He was buried on October 9 in Yokneam. He is survived by his parents, Noga and Ron, and his siblings Nir and Shir.
Four other members of Ofir’s platoon were also slain that morning — Cpt. Itay Maor, Sgt. Uri Locker, Sgt. Amit Tsur, and Sgt. Dvir Lisha. Just days before they were all slain, the five soldiers, who were close friends, took a photo together that served as a chilling memorial after their deaths.
Born and raised in Yokneam, Ofir was an active member and later counselor in his local scout troop. He loved to play soccer with his friends and was a dedicated fan of the Maccabi Haifa team as well as FC Barcelona, according to a memorial site.
After finishing high school, Ofir did a year of national service at a dormitory in Kfar Saba for kids with challenging backgrounds, and dreamed of pursuing a career in education. He enlisted in the IDF in December 2021, and was placed in the Golani Brigade.
Ofir’s aunt, Vered, wrote on a memorial page that it was so hard to imagine never seeing him again, and never making any new memories.
“We won’t see you anymore, we won’t have that smile anymore, there won’t be anyone to open their heart and help every friend, we won’t be privileged to experience the quietness inside you, or your healthy but precise appetite,” she wrote.
“You won’t see you curl up with Shiri after Friday night dinner, we won’t see you exchange words of friendship and love with Nir, and no tournament of [the card game] Taki or [board game] Settlers of Catan on the balcony will ever be the same again without you.”
His brother, Nir, wrote on a memorial page on the Maccabi Haifa site to “Ofir, a boy who was all heart.”
“A kid with endless generosity who loved helping others, kids, women, adults and the elderly — everyone,” added. Nir. “And all with quiet and a magical, captivating smile. Everything with modesty and humility and endless love.”
Ofir, he added, “was always caring and made sure everything was OK with everyone around him, and was always there to support and give a warm and loving hug in a way unique just to him. A magical kid. Our dear Ofir, your smile, your embrace and your laughter will accompany us always, and you will stay in our hearts forever.”
