American-Israeli soldier was killed by Hamas while trying to save his colleagues from an attack
"When his base was overrun by terrorists, he went on his own to divert their attention allowing others to escape," his mother said.
(Cordon Press)
An Israeli-American soldier heroically lost his life last Saturday while protecting his fellow fighters from Hamas' violent incursion into Israel.
Sergeant Roey Weiser, originally from Efrat, was at the Kerem Shalom border crossing when the Palestinian terrorist group attacked his base. Israeli soldiers from the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade were also present at the time of the attack. However, according to reports, the 21-year-old young man acted like a hero and sacrificed himself as a distraction so his companions could escape.
“He died how he lived, by putting others first and when his base was overrun by terrorists, he went on his own to divert their attention allowing others to escape. Because of his bravery, at least 12 other soldiers are alive today,” mother Naomi Feifer-Weiser told CNN.
The American woman said that before Weiser was recruited, he worked as a volunteer at a fire station. “[He] was always the first to jump into action when needed," she said.
Recovery of the body
Weiser's parents faced complications in locating their son's body, so they took to social media in hopes that they could recover his remains. “Our sole wish is to lay Roey to eternal rest and grieve properly,” said Yami Weiser, the young man's father (also American).
Shortly after, the sergeant's body was processed and released for burial. His parents plan to hold his funeral on Wednesday.
More than 900 people dead
Since Hamas attacked Israel last Saturday, more than 900 people have been killed, including 14 Americans.
As reported this Tuesday by the White House, it is also estimated that at least 20 Americans are missing in Israel. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan clarified that it does not mean that all of them are hostages of Hamas.
"We will be working hour by hour to determine whether we can account for any of those Americans or to confirm exactly what number of Americans are being held hostage," Sullivan said.
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