When Eli was injured in Gaza, Tamar was the one who stabilized him and stayed by his side through recovery.
By Hezy Laing
Love often finds its way through the most unexpected paths—even amid the chaos of war.
In the past two years, the Israel Defense Forces have not only been a crucible of courage but also a backdrop for powerful love stories.
Here are several couples whose relationships blossomed in uniform, proving that even in conflict, connection prevails.
Ben and Maya met just days after the October 7 attacks at a shooting range.
Ben had rushed back from India to serve in the reserves, while Maya, a lone soldier from France, was working as a shooting instructor.
Their flirtation began with exchanged glances and chocolate bars tucked into logistics shipments.
Though they only had two proper dates before Ben was deployed to Gaza, their bond deepened through letters and fleeting moments of calm.
Tamar and Eli, both medics in the same battalion, met during a joint training exercise in early 2024.
Their connection grew through shared shifts, long nights treating wounded soldiers, and moments of quiet reflection between missions.
When Eli was injured in Gaza, Tamar was the one who stabilized him and stayed by his side through recovery.
Their relationship became a symbol of healing—both physical and emotional.
Shahar, an IDF soldier who lost his leg while fighting in Gaza met Tamar at Sheba Medical Center during his physical therapy sessions.
Over time the two became increasingly close.
The proposal took place in January 2024 when Tamar thought she was simply accompanying Shahar to his daily physical therapy.
Instead, Shahar, surprised her with a public marriage proposal, and she said yes.
The “Love in the Shadow of War” exhibition at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem is a deeply moving tribute to resilience, intimacy, and human connection forged in the crucible of conflict.
Curated by Ifat Shomrony and photographed by Limor Zadok, the exhibit features eight couples whose love stories emerged amid the trauma and chaos of the October 7 attacks and the war that followed.
