With the end of the 2-minute silence for the Memorial Day for the fallen of Israel's systems and victims of hostilities throughout the State of Israel, a moving memorial service and a unique and powerful song performance were held tonight (Monday, 4/20/2026) at the Kobi family home in Tirat Carmel to commemorate the memory of their soldier son, Hero of Israel, Sergeant Gal (Gabriel) Kobi, the late. It was an evening of total communion in memory of Gal, a Givati soldier who fell during his military service. 13 years have passed since his fall and the heart still refuses to believe and the pain is as excruciating as on the exact day he died.
It was an event and an evening of light amidst pain, hosted by the dear parents of the late Gal, his father Oved and his mother Smadar, with a lot of warmth and love, in the house where he grew up. The walls of the unifying house were filled with sounds, memories and endless love. The songs played in his house tonight were not just melodies but were a beating heart of longing that refuses to disappear and a big hug to all the members of the Kobi family, to his many friends, to those who cherish his memory who carry him with them every day and every moment.
The show was a testament to the power of one person to touch many souls. Through words and sounds, Gal continued to be present, smiling, moving, connecting people. An evening in which tears and hope walked hand in hand and memory became a light that continues to shine and within each sound a deep feeling arose that Gal was still here, in spirit, in hearts and in every quiet look that exchanged a word. The people who gathered not only remembered, but also promised to continue telling the story on and on, to immortalize and keep his light alive. It was such a powerful evening that the pain in it received a voice and love became the healing and unifying force.
Thus, between each song, a rare sense of togetherness is woven, one that reminds us of how meaningful a life that truly touched others is. The memory of the late Gal does not remain in the past, but continues to pulse in the present and continues to light the way to a future full of meaning, memory, and love.
The evening, which is being held for the 13th consecutive year at the initiative of Shlomi Smuka, who this year, as usual, wrote and produced the ceremony since the fall of the late Gal. This year, the centerpiece of the ceremony was a special and moving musical performance, "Singing in Memory," in which singers Rinat Gabay, Lila Malkos, who will also appear at the torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, singers Ruby Levy, Tzachi Galila, singer and composer Yoni Roa, and another guest singer who took part in the event was Tal Yehoshua Keret. The musical direction was entrusted to Danny Talbi, Ilan Gumush, and Assaf Tal. Make-up artist Inbal Ifergan assisted in the event on a full volunteer basis. He added that all the artists and crew members, including lighting, sound, and makeup, volunteered fully to commemorate Gal, out of deep love for the Kobi family and in memory of Gal, who was a beloved and respected figure among people and in general among all His acquaintances.
Meanwhile, we should note that during the event, which was hosted with great grace and taste by Sharon Durani, Shlomi Smuka, the initiator and producer of the event, said with great emotion: "I promised then and I promise now that we will commemorate Gal in every way and at every moment. It is a love that has no expiration date. The pain this year is greater than ever, but so is the desire to embrace, remember and tell. Gal was not only an Israeli hero and a brave fighter, but also a friend, brother, son and a person who always saw the other, the community and the common good. We continue on his path and perpetuate his light."
During the evening, members of the Kobi family, Gal's commander from the "Givati" brigade, educators including Gal's teacher from school, and friends who knew Gal closely, delivered moving speeches with tears in their eyes. Afterwards, 24 carefully selected songs were performed, songs that told his story, his loves, and his longing for him.
We would like to add that the next day, Memorial Day (Tuesday, 4/21/2026), the Kobi family will visit his grave at 10:30 a.m. at the Haifa Military Cemetery, and immediately afterward, a memorial service will be held at his home at 2 Tzadaf Street in Tirat Carmel.
Sergeant Gal (Gabriel) Kobi, the late, was born in Tirat Carmel, the eldest son of his parents, Smadar and Oved, and he has two brothers, Oral and Amit. Gal enlisted in the "Rotem" battalion of the Givati Brigade and gave it his all, where he also met his death. All his life, Gal wanted to be a combat soldier and serve in the "Givati" brigade. Even at his bar mitzvah, he seemed to foresee his death, when in the music video he made for the celebration, he was dressed as a soldier in "Givati" and a scene is staged that supposedly shows shooting in Hebron from television, while at the same time the family sits and worries. In the music video, Gal also does not answer the phones and shows no sign of life, but suddenly the door opens and he enters his house. The reality was different and Gal did not return. It should be noted that Gal's brother, Oral, later enlisted in the same battalion in which Gal served and was discharged about 3 years ago. Oral insisted on going through everything to commemorate his brother. Later, a daughter was born Old age for parents, her name is Gaya. At home, the Kobi family set up a memorial room in memory of Gal.
We would also like to add that the football team (adults) of M.S. Tirat Carmel, which currently plays in the top division of the Football Association's Second Division North B, is named after him, in commemoration and memory of the late fighter Gal Kobi.
The soldier Gal Gabriel Kobi, z"l, fell in operational activity in Hebron on the 19th of Tishrei 5774 (September 22, 2013). Throughout that day, it was the third day of the Hol HaMoed Sukkot, crowds of visitors came to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The area was guarded by soldiers from the "Rotem" Battalion. At approximately 6:00 PM, a terrorist fired a bullet from an ambush that hit Gal, who was standing guard at the pharmacy intersection, in the neck and mortally wounded him. Gal was taken to "Sha'arei Tzedek" Hospital in Jerusalem, but the doctors' efforts were of no avail and Gal passed away. Just minutes before he was shot, Gal asked his parents to leave the sukkah they had built, so that when he returned for the after-party, he could host his friends in it. That sukkah, unfortunately, became a mourning sukkah.
