Israeli Father Dies Saving Son in Slovenia River Tragedy

Gil Hillel, 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. Hillel's son slipped and fell into the water, hitting rocks. When Hillel tried to save him, he lost his footing and fell into the abyss. The boy was airlifted to a hospital, conscious with a broken leg and other injuries.

Following Hillel's death on Saturday, his wife Rotem and brother Ben posted emotional tributes on Facebook. Rotem wrote, "I'm not ready yet to speak about you in the past tense. You are my home. To which home am I supposed to return?" She described Hillel as her anchor for twenty years and expressed difficulty imagining life without him, noting her focus is now on their injured son.

Ben Hillel shared new details about the accident, emphasizing his brother's athletic, brave, and selfless nature. He recounted childhood memories of Gil always being the first to act in emergencies. Ben also mentioned that some media reports used a different family surname, as some relatives had changed theirs, while he retained the original. He expressed uncertainty about the complete accuracy of all reported details.

Ben described Gil as a loving husband and devoted father, who was deeply involved in kibbutz life. He recalled his own protective feelings towards Gil, stemming from their eight-year age difference, which persisted even into adulthood. Ben concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining close family ties, stating, "The support and backup justify any sacrifice."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assisting the family with the repatriation of Hillel's body to Israel. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Kibbutz Yizrael members expressed shock and grief, offering support to Hillel's extended family and children.