Yom Kippur Photo of IDF Tank Crew Becomes Ominous Symbol of Oct. 7 Tragedy
A photograph taken just before Yom Kippur in 2023, featuring three Israeli soldiers from the 401st Armored Brigade, has taken on a somber significance following the events of October 7th. The image shows the soldiers standing at attention and saluting at the graves of brigade members who fell in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, as part of a unit project to connect generations and honor fallen soldiers.
Less than two weeks after the photo was taken, the "Swords of Iron" war began. Two of the three soldiers in the picture, Senior Sergeant Itai Saadon, 21, and Senior Sergeant Ofir Berkovich, 20, both tank commanders in the 52nd Battalion, were killed in combat in Gaza in November 2023 and October 2024, respectively. The third soldier, Senior Sergeant Gabriel, is the sole survivor.
Gabriel described the photograph as "frightening" in retrospect, noting the chilling coincidence of his survival. He shared that Itai's death in the early weeks of the Gaza ground operation was devastating, and Ofir's subsequent death nearly a year later intensified his grief. Gabriel urged those who have lost friends to share their feelings, stating that openness helps in navigating such difficult times, whether in Gaza or Lebanon.
The parents of Ofir Berkovich saw the photograph during their mourning period. His father, Baruch, recalled Ofir feeling a sense of honor and importance in participating in the memorial visit. Ofir's mother, Simona, found the photo difficult to view, seeing it as a stark reminder of her son's absence and a symbol of Israel's ongoing struggle, stating, "It seems we are destined to live on the edge of a sword."
Itai Saadon's mother, Liat, also found the photo deeply moving, recalling a previous photo Itai sent her from the same gravesite. She expressed relief that Gabriel survived, especially during intense fighting, and emphasized the importance of continued societal attention to the grief of bereaved families, despite the natural desire to return to normalcy after experiencing so many losses.
