After surviving the Yom Kippur War and serving through successive Israeli campaigns, Shlomo Tanami joined Home Front Command soldiers in the aftermath of October 7, searching homes in southern Israel for terrorists and survivors.
By Hezy Laing
At an age when most Israelis have long since left military service behind, Shlomo Tanami still reports for duty, puts on his uniform, takes his weapon and goes into the field with soldiers decades younger than himself.
The 71-year-old chairman of the Gedera Religious Council has served in the reserves since the Yom Kippur War of 1973, repeatedly volunteering for Israel’s wars and military campaigns.
Tanami began as a tank soldier, but the unit he served with eventually became an infantry company, and he now serves with the IDF Home Front Command.
His experience in 1973 left deep scars even though he survived the war without physical wounds.
He lost close friends and witnessed scenes that stayed with him for decades, telling N12 that it took him 15 years to free himself from the memories of the Yom Kippur War.
Yet when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Tanami did not hesitate.
He immediately reported to his unit, which initially deployed north to protect communities before being sent to the Gaza border area and Sderot.
There, the veteran reservist joined soldiers going from house to house, checking that communities were free of terrorists and looking for anyone who might still need help.
The work was emotionally difficult precisely because the victims were civilians.
Tanami explained that after the Yom Kippur War he no longer felt the same fear, but October 7 was different because the violence had been directed at ordinary families.
For a month, he slept alongside the soldiers, trained with them and went out on operations rather than remaining in a comfortable rear position.
Only once did he leave the base, returning home to see his wife, children and grandchildren in Gedera.
His presence also became a source of encouragement for the younger troops.
At the base, everyone knew the older reservist with the white beard, long rifle and tzitzit, and Tanami joked that the soldiers and officers had become like his children.
He insists that the relationship works both ways.
“God gives me strength,” he said, but the soldiers give him even more in return.
For Tanami, continuing to serve is not simply a military obligation.
“It is my role in the world,” he said.
