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Arnon Zamora (September 8, 1987 – June 8, 2024) was a Yamam officer who was killed in action in Operation "Summer Seeds." The mission succeeded in rescuing four Israeli hostages held in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp. After his death, the mission was renamed "Operation Arnon."[1][2]
Arnon Zamora | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | אַרְנוֹן זְמוֹרָה |
| Born | September 8, 1987 Israel |
| Died | June 8, 2024 (aged 36) Ramat Gan, Israel |
| Years of service | 2016–2024 |
| Rank | Superintendent |
| Unit | Yamam |
| Battles/wars | Israel-Hamas War |
Biography
editZamora was born in Motza Illit. He served in the Golani Brigade and later in Egoz for 4 years as a military instructor at the unit's commando school. He studied for a degree in East Asian and Chinese studies at Tel Aviv University between 2012 and 2015. After graduating, he joined the Israel Police where he rose to the rank of Chief Inspector.
He was married to Michal Bronstein, a speech therapist and early childhood specialist, and was the father of two. The family lived in Moshav Sde David.[3]
Military career
editBattle of Yad Mordechai Intersection
editOn the morning of October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel with thousands of rockets and about 3000 militants. Zamora was the commander of the Yamam “Tequila Team,” a quick response counterterrorism force that was deployed to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai early in the morning as a precaution to a possible attack.[4]
When Hamas militants broke through the border, Zamora and his team defended the Kibbutz, killing over 30 Nukhba attackers. Additionally, he and his team prevented Hamas's advance north to Ashkelon. They then continued fighting in the Nahal Oz base and Kibbutz Be'eri.[5]
Nuseirat Rescue Operation
editOn June 8, 2024, Yamam, the Shin Bet, and the Israeli Defense Forces rescued four hostages in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp. Zamora commanded a team of Yamam fighters and was the first to break into the building holding Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan, and Andrey Kozlov. During the operation, he was shot, seriously injured, evacuated on a helicopter, and taken to Tel Hashomer Hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds. Zamora was the only fighter killed in the operation, which ended with the successful rescue of the four hostages. The mission also resulted in the death of less than 100 Palestinians (per the IDF) or 276 Palestinians (per the Gaza Health Ministry). After his death, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent. He was buried on Mount Hertzl.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ "Officer dies of wounds from hostage rescue raid in Gaza; entire op renamed in his honor | The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel. 2024-06-13. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Arnon Zamora, the hero who lost his life rescuing 4 hostages – 'Happy is the people that is blessed with heroes' | All Israel News". 2024-06-10. Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "בת הזוג של ארנון זמורה ז"ל: "היה בן זוג מדהים ואבא מושלם"". 2024-06-12. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Official pushes back after PM's brother blames army for not waking him earlier on Oct 7". Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b קוריאל, אילנה; צורי, מתן; תורג'מן, מאיר (2024-06-08). "נפגע בקרב עם מחבל בדירת החטופים: מבצע החילוץ ייקרא על שם ארנון שנהרג". Ynet. Archived from the original on 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "רדיו דרום-אלפים ליוו את רב פקד ארנון זמורה בדרכו האחרונה: "חדור מטרה וחמוש בחתירה בלתי מתפשרת לניצחון"". רדיו דרום (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-06-13.