Slain Soldier's Sister Vows Not to Let Terrorists Break Her Spirit

Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, was killed Friday in a shooting attack near Hebron and was laid to rest Sunday in Hod Hasharon. He died alongside another soldier, Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, when two assailants opened fire on them. A firefight lasting over twenty minutes ensued, and the attackers were killed by arriving reinforcements. At the funeral, Svilem's sister, Shira, promised to preserve her brother's memory and declared, "I will not give terrorists the pleasure of breaking me." She spoke of their close bond and assured mourners that the terrorists could not tarnish what Yuval represented to his loved ones. Earlier, their father, Amnon, recounted the "hell" of learning of his son's death, describing how his daughter delivered the news when the family was not home. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir attended the funeral, remembering Svilem as a "smiling and warm young man" he had met previously. Ben-Gvir offered condolences and urged attendees to remember Svilem's service. He also called for harsher measures against terrorists and their families, advocating for increased prison restrictions and emigration projects in Judea and Samaria.