Two Israeli Mothers Unite Over Loss of Daughters Killed in Hezbollah Conflicts
Nearly 20 years separate the tragic losses of two Israeli mothers, Riyana Tendler and Hilit Yanai, who both lost daughters in battles against Hezbollah. Riyana’s daughter, Sergeant First Class Keren Tendler, the first female flight mechanic in the Israeli Air Force’s helicopter unit, was killed during the 2006 Lebanon War when a Hezbollah missile struck her helicopter in Lebanon. Hilit’s daughter, Sergeant Rotem Yanai, a combat intelligence officer in the Givati Brigade, died three months ago from a drone bomb attack near the border.
Riyana has lived with the grief for two decades, learning to cope and honor her daughter’s memory, while Hilit is just beginning her journey through mourning. Their paths crossed after Riyana posted on social media in May 2026 about her loss, prompting Hilit, who had just buried her daughter, to reach out seeking strength and reassurance about continuing life after such a loss.
The two mothers met at a memorial garden dedicated to Keren in Rehovot, near her favorite running path and burial site. They shared their experiences of receiving the devastating news, the last conversations with their daughters, and the ongoing struggle to find meaning and motivation. Hilit expressed her vow to choose life despite the overwhelming pain, while Riyana described herself as a "veteran" in grief, emphasizing that living with such loss is a lifelong challenge.
Both daughters were deeply committed to their military roles and communities. Keren broke barriers as the first female flight mechanic, and Rotem was known for her leadership and support of marginalized peers. The mothers highlighted the importance of commemorating their daughters as a form of "another kind of parenthood," keeping their memory alive through activism and community engagement.
Looking ahead, Hilit, a lawyer, plans to advocate for legislative changes to support fallen soldiers and their families, including medical preservation rights at enlistment. Both women stressed the need for extended mourning periods and societal recognition of the unique pain bereaved parents endure. Their shared story underscores the enduring impact of military loss on Israeli families and the resilience required to carry on.
