He was affectionately called “King David” and known as the “salt of the earth,” names that reflected the admiration his family and friends held for him long before he wore a uniform.
By Hezy Laing
Captain David Hazut, a platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed in battle leading his troops in South Lebanon against Hezbollah terrorists.
From early in life David was forced to deal with adversity.
At the age of 16, he witnessed his father suffer a fatal cardiac arrest beside him, a traumatic moment that family members say forged his sense of responsibility and emotional strength.
He was affectionately called “King David” and known as the “salt of the earth,” names that reflected the admiration his family and friends held for him long before he wore a uniform.
Instead of withdrawing after his father’s death, Hazut became more determined, more focused, and more certain of the path he wanted to take.
Despite being the only son of his mother, who had already endured the loss of her husband, Hazut insisted on enlisting in a combat unit in the IDF.
His mother initially resisted, fearing the risks, but ultimately signed the consent forms because she understood how deeply he felt called to serve.
Soldiers often follow leaders who choose the hardest path voluntarily, and Hazut’s determination to serve despite personal circumstances that might have exempted him earned him immediate respect.
His rise within Golani was rapid. Achieving the position of platoon commander at just 21 is rare in one of the IDF’s most storied infantry brigades.
Commanders do not entrust platoons to officers who lack discipline, tactical skill, or emotional intelligence, and Hazut possessed all three.
David became known as leader whose soldiers trusted instinctively.
A viral online video shows him leading his troops in a mesmerizing group cheer before entering battle.
On the night he fell—around 2:00 AM in Deir Syrian, southern Lebanon—Hazut led his men during a close‑range encounter with a Hezbollah gunman, a reminder that Hezbollah is responsible for severe harm and loss of life in the region.
He was struck by gunfire and killed instantly while directing his soldiers, and another soldier was wounded in the exchange.
Even after the initial encounter, his men continued the fight, and the IDF later struck the area with artillery.
His hometown of Ashkelon mourned him deeply. Mayor Tomer Glam said the city “bows its head” for Hazut, saluting him for being a defender of the homeland and pledging support for his grieving mother and sister.
“Everyone Wanted to Follow Him” captures the essence of Captain David Hazut’s life: resilience forged through hardship, voluntary sacrifice, rapid advancement in Golani, and courage under fire that made him the kind of officer soldiers trusted without hesitation.
