Amit Bunzel, a Story of Giving, Leadership and Sacrifice
He commanded life through his death: the story of Staff Sgt. Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory. Amit Bunzel was a child of giving. His leadership was rooted in quietness and a deep sensitivity to those around him. He was born as the middle child between Nadav and Adi and grew up for most of his life in Shoham. From an early age, his traits of partnership and concern for others stood out. His father, Itzik Bunzel, recalls that, “The character traits that stood out in Amit from a very young age were sensitivity to others, sharing with others, giving to others.” Whenever he obtained something easily, he would always hurry to share it with his older brother, Nadav. Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory (courtesy of the family) 1 / 4
Hidden sensitivity and a spirit of leadership
His mother, Noa, tells of an incident that illustrates his extraordinary sensitivity when he was eight or nine years old. One Friday evening, Noa felt slightly sad and withdrew into herself. The child Amit noticed immediately, went over to her and promised her a surprise. A few minutes after he left the house, his mother’s close friend rang the doorbell. It turned out that Amit had called her and said, “Listen, my mother is very sad, can you come cheer her up?” Alongside his sensitivity, Amit had a spirit of leadership and initiative. He loved serving as the cantor in synagogue, and when he saw that no one was going up to the platform, he would get up on his own and lead the prayer. This trait of taking responsibility accompanied him throughout his youth and intensified when he was drafted into the IDF.
“I want to sit where you are sitting”
March 2022 was one of the happiest days of Amit’s life. He enlisted in the Paratroopers Brigade, counting the days in great anticipation. R., his commander and friend, describes his first personal interview with Amit, just two weeks after enlistment. Amit looked the squad commander in the eyes and said directly and confidently, “I want to sit where you are sitting, I want to be an officer here in the unit.” During the grueling course in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, Amit never complained. On Friday nights he would share every step of basic training and advanced training with his parents like an open book, always with a smile and enthusiasm. After a year and two months, Amit was given command of a young team, a complex mission in which he was required to lead a cohesive group of fighters through the most challenging stage of training. As a commander, Amit did not motivate his soldiers through authority, but through a complete personal example, running with them in the Bar-Or fitness tests, standing guard with them at night, and simultaneously managing the missions with senior command.
The war and the last attempt
On the morning of October 7, in the midst of the holiday of Simchat Torah, Amit unexpectedly arrived at his parents’ home in Shoham. The country had not yet grasped the scale of the disaster, but Amit came in in a hurry and said, “There is a war! Do not leave the house, I swear to you!” He went up to his room, put on his uniform and told his mother, “At last I can implement what I was trained for throughout my time in the army.” He left the house, and half an hour later his brother Nadav also left for combat. During the fighting in Gaza, Amit took command of his team in the field, even though he had not completed a formal officers’ course. On December 6, 2023, at only 22 years old, Amit fell in battle. At those hours, his father Itzik was at Mount Herzl at the funeral of another soldier, unaware that his own son was already gone. When he returned home and saw the officers, he immediately asked, “Who was killed, Nadav or Amit?”
The legacy he left behind
After his death, the family discovered the depth of Amit’s writing during the days of fighting. Clean pages, with no corrections or mistakes, revealing a profound self-examination by a fighter and leader who always pressed forward and sought the goal. Thousands of people who came to comfort the family spoke about the acts of kindness and incredible humility Amit showed, things he had hidden from his immediate family. Even in his death, Amit continued to give to others. His organs were donated, and eight soldiers are now walking on their feet because of him. Amit left behind a legacy of leadership, love of people, humility and heroism, guiding his family and friends every day anew. Staff Sgt. Amit Bunzel, of blessed memory, Paratroopers Brigade, fell on 6.12.2023, aged 22 at the time of his death. May his memory be blessed. Staff Sgt. Amit Bunzel
