Shlomo Aviad Nayman served 280 days of reserve duty during the war in both Gaza, and in Lebanon.

By IDF Club

Aviad served an extraordinary 280 days of reserve duty during the war, rotating through two deployments in the north, one in Gaza, and his final mission in Lebanon.

Before heading out on that last operation, he spoke candidly with his wife, Shir, sharing a quiet fear that he might not come back.

With a smile, he made her promise one thing—if anything happened to him, she must never sell his beloved ATV.

Assigned to the Carmeli Brigade in southern Lebanon, Aviad’s unit was sent to clear the mountainous terrain of Jabal Balat, a strategically critical area overlooking the western Galilee and reaching nearly to Haifa.

There, the soldiers uncovered a large Hezbollah weapons stockpile, apparently staged in preparation for a rapid assault on Israeli communities near the border.

As part of their effort to secure the area, a forward team moved ahead and discovered a tunnel shaft.

It was then that a hidden explosive was triggered, killing Aviad and three of his comrades.

At his funeral, Aviad’s brother Amihai remembered him with moving words:

“He was always the first to step forward, always full of joy. Anyone who needed help—Aviad was there. His heart was pure, his soul unique.

In his short life, he managed to bring so much light into the world.”