Despite the life-altering sum, he remained grounded, immediately outlining plans to use a large portion of the winnings to establish a non-profit organization to support fellow soldiers and those impacted by the war.

By Hezy Laing

In early May 2026, a young Israeli reservist, recently returned from two months of duty in Gaza, arrived at the Mifal Hapayis headquarters to claim a 15 million shekel (approximately $4 million) lottery win.

The soldier, who rarely played, had purchased a “Double Lotto” ticket and a Lottomat form on a whim just before his April 18th draw, acting on a sudden “gut feeling.”

Because of his active service, he did not check the numbers until arriving home on leave, nearly two weeks after the draw, making the transition from the battlefield to sudden, significant wealth.

Despite the life-altering sum, he remained grounded, immediately outlining plans to use a large portion of the winnings to establish a non-profit organization.

Having witnessed the intense hardships of the conflict firsthand, he intended to support fellow soldiers and those impacted by the war.

This act of generosity transformed his personal stroke of luck into a symbol of hope and healing, marking a dramatic shift from the realities of war to a future focused on community support.