Volleyballer Shay Levinson believed in coexistence; was slain by Hamas

On January 21, 2024, the IDF announces the death of soldier Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, 19, who was killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7. His body was recovered by the IDF in June 2025. This is what we know of his capture.

The body of Shay Levinson, 19, was taken hostage to Gaza from Nahal Oz on October 7, as Hamas terrorists launched a multi-pronged attack, killing some 1,200 people, assaulting and kidnapping hundreds of others.

Levinson, from Giv’at Avni in northern Israel, was a top volleyball player and played for years with the team in Eilabun, an Arab village near his hometown.

For several years, he was the only Israeli Jew on the team and strongly believed in coexistence.

His older brother and mother have also played in the same Eilabun volleyball league.