Father Recounts Son's Death in Gaza, Vows to Continue His Legacy of Kindness
Rafi Arwas, father of fallen IDF soldier First Sergeant Shi Arwas, shared a deeply emotional account of his son's death during the "Nakba" disaster in Gaza on October 31, 2023, and his subsequent mission to honor his memory. Arwas spoke on the "Kiikar FM" podcast, detailing the horrific experiences his son faced, including witnessing atrocities in Kibbutz Be'eri and fighting in Gaza. He described his son as a kind and giving individual who loved baking elaborate cakes and had a special bond with a Holocaust survivor. Shi Arwas, who had expressed a willingness to die for Israel at age 16, was killed when an anti-tank missile hit his Namer APC. His body was severely fragmented, leaving only his dog tag and some chain links as remains.
Arwas recounted the agonizing wait for news of his son, the devastating realization of the extent of his injuries, and the profound grief of having to bury him symbolically multiple times. He shared a particularly poignant moment when a soldier returned Shi's kippah, which still carried the scent of his son's hair, causing Arwas to hit his head against a container in despair. Despite his immense pain, Ar Rafi has dedicated himself to commemorating Shi's life and helping other bereaved families.
He has established a free cafe for grieving families in the military cemetery in Holon and founded an organization named "Be Happy, Spread Good in the World," based on Shi's last will and testament. This organization prepares food baskets for the needy. Arwas has also personally attended over 750 funerals and visited more than 750 bereaved families across Israel, offering comfort and sharing Shi's story and belongings.
In the interview, Arwas also addressed the national discourse surrounding the enlistment of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews), advocating for unity and dialogue rather than conflict. He criticized the harsh treatment of Haredi soldiers who refused to serve under a female paramedic, emphasizing that Shi would not have wanted to see such divisions. Arwas also expressed his disappointment that some released hostages had not visited the graves of soldiers like his son who died searching for them.
He concluded by reading Shi's last will and testament, a message of love for his family, pride in his service, and a plea for unity and kindness. Arwas urged listeners to embrace Shi's message of spreading good and respecting one another, especially in the lead-up to the Jewish New Year.
