Yedidya Bloch was 32 years old and lived in Mevo Horon. He was married to Sapir and the couple were expecting their first child.
Initially, he enlisted in the elite Paratroopers Brigade (Battalion 101) and later completed the demanding Pathfinder course. During his service, Yedidya fought bravely in the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge.
After finishing his mandatory military service, he joined the reserve Paratrooper Brigade 55, serving as a squad leader and later a gunner.
On October 7th, Yedidya fought in the village of Gaza, after which he participated in a three-month long maneuver in Khan Yunis. He then reported for reserve duty in Metula for forty days.
He was called up for reserve duty for a third time during the "Operation Pillar of Defense" war, racking up over 260 reserve service days.
On the eve of Yom Kippur, Yedidya was once again called up with his comrades for an operation in Lebanon. They entered the village of "Al-Adaysah" overlooking the settlement of Misgav Am and battled there for 12 days. During the maneuver, Yedidya's platoon encountered and eliminated two "Radwan" terrorists.
Yedidya was the lead gunner in his platoon. On the morning of Simchat Torah, the platoon went out on a final raid, when they were ambushed by terrorists in an area near a confrontation with the Egoz unit. After a fierce half-hour of combat, in which Yedidya provided covering fire and support for the rest of his comrades, he was struck by a bullet to the head.
During the same battle, Guy Ben-Harush, a fighter from the Oketz unit who was fighting alongside the platoon, was also killed. The company commander of the Armored Brigade 7 was also severely wounded.
Yedidya was rushed to Rambam Hospital, where he fought for his life, but the brain damage proved too severe. Yesterday (Tuesday), his death was determined.
Yedidya's family said he was kind and caring, with "the wisdom of the heart to connect and bond people together." They also described him as deeply connected to the land of Israel and able to befriend anyone, never judging others. They said he had a generous spirit and was beloved by his nieces and nephews.
After Yedidya's passing, his family chose to donate his organs to help those in need.
The organ recipients include:
- - A 54-year-old man receiving the heart transplant- A 9-year-old child receiving a liver lobe - A 16-year-old girl receiving a kidney- A 70-year-old man receiving an additional kidney- A woman receiving the lungs- A 30-year-old woman receiving another part of the liver- Skin donated to Jerusalem's skin bank- His left cornea will be transplanted soon
In total, 7-9 people benefited from Yedidya's donated organs.
Yedidya leaves behind his wife Sapir, who is in her 8th month of pregnancy, his parents and seven siblings to whom he was very close.
May his memory be a blessing.