Ariel, the widow of Lt. Col. Dor Gdalia Ben Shimon, commander of Battalion 52, posted a long farewell on Facebook on Saturday morning after he was killed a day earlier in a serious incident in Lebanon. In the post, published by N12 on June 20, 2026, she wrote, "Dor, my love, you gave me the 7 best years of my life," and described how their relationship began eight years ago at a tactical command course.
She recalled meeting him when he came to brief the class, describing him as the man she had been looking for. She said their first year together was playful, their second year more determined, and that they quickly knew they were meant to be together. Their engagement, she wrote, took place at the kibbutz, in what was to him "the most beautiful view."
Ariel said that although they were physically together only for part of those seven years because of military life, they built a family and raised two daughters. She called him a commander who was "a person of people" and "a commander of a mission," praising his dedication and judgment. "I used to walk around with my chest out saying I am 'Dovash's wife,'" she wrote, using his nickname.
She promised to stay strong and to make sure the girls know him, adding that their daughter Aila, who turned 3, already said she wants him to come back, and that Gaia had been making her usual mess. Ariel ended by quoting her wedding vow, saying he had given her a different life now, and concluded, "For the last time, my beloved leader, this is your beloved leader speaking, I love you and I will love you forever." Ben Shimon is survived by his wife and two daughters. He took command of Battalion 52 in April, replacing his predecessor, who was badly wounded about two months ago. The IDF said Ben Shimon served mainly in the Armored Corps and held several major command posts there; three other soldiers were also killed in the same Lebanon incident.
