Israeli Father Dies Saving Son in Slovenia River Fall

Gil Hallel, a 44-year-old from Kibbutz Yizrael, tragically died in Slovenia while attempting to rescue his 7-year-old son from a river. The incident occurred during a family hike along a river canyon. Hallel's son slipped and fell into the water, hitting rocks, and as Hallel tried to save him, he lost his footing and fell into the abyss. The boy was airlifted to a hospital, is conscious, and is being treated for a broken leg and other injuries.

Hallel's wife, Rotem, posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, expressing her disbelief and pain, stating, "I am not ready yet to speak about you in the past tense. You are my home. What home am I supposed to return to?" She described Hallel as her anchor for twenty years and spoke of the difficulty of imagining life without him, particularly with their injured son needing care.

Hallel's brother, Ben, also shared details about the accident, noting that some media reports used a different family name, as some relatives had changed theirs. He described Gil as athletic, funny, smart, and deeply devoted to his family, especially his three children. Ben recalled Gil's bravery from childhood, always being the first to act in a crisis. He emphasized the importance of family unity, even when difficult.

Gil Hallel, originally from Moshav Mikhmoret, had moved to Kibbutz Yizrael after marrying a local woman and had become an active member of the community. The kibbutz expressed shock and grief, offering support to the extended family and children. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assisting with the repatriation of Hallel's body, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.