Israeli Father Dies Saving Son From River in Slovenia

A 44-year-year-old Israeli man, Gil Glickel from Kibbutz Yizre'el, died in Slovenia while on a family trip after attempting to rescue his seven-year-old son. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 19, when the family was walking along a river canyon. The boy slipped and fell into the water, hitting rocks as he was carried downstream. According to Gil's brother, Ben, their father tried to save the child but lost his footing and fell into the chasm. The boy sustained a broken leg and other injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Ben stated on Facebook that his nephew would be okay.

Gil Glickel, who grew up in Moshav Michmoret and studied agricultural engineering at the Technion, was remembered by his brother as a devoted family man who prioritized his three children. Ben described Gil as someone always ready to help, agile, strong, and fearless. He expressed profound grief over the loss of his brother's "sensible and calm voice" and the inability to share future family gatherings or hear about his children's achievements.

Gil's wife, Rotem, shared a final photo of them on Facebook, expressing her deep sorrow and longing for his embrace. She wrote about her difficulty accepting his death and the challenge of facing life without him, especially having to explain to their son that his father would no longer be there to hug him. Rotem conveyed her love for Gil and gratitude for their memories, noting she had told him she loved him that morning before his death.