Dr. Gerard Allouche, Pioneer of Gush Katif, Passes Away After Long Illness

Dr. Gerard Allouche, one of the veteran doctors of Gush Katif and father of Matias Allouche, passed away after a prolonged battle with illness. His daughter-in-law, Esther Allouche, who is also the spokeswoman for the Shomron Regional Council, announced his death and paid tribute to his humble, devoted, and beloved character.

Originally from France, Dr. Allouche immigrated to Israel with his young family despite leaving behind a comfortable life. He dedicated his life to serving the residents of Gush Katif as their dentist and invested all his resources in the land there. Even after losing nearly everything, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the area until the forced evacuation in 2005.

Esther described him as a quiet and modest man who cared deeply for others without seeking recognition. Many who met him over the years expressed heartfelt appreciation for his dedication and asked her to convey their love. In her farewell, she recalled his enduring smile and humor despite his suffering in recent years, saying, "Our dear Papi, our hearts broke over the hardships you endured these last two years. Your smile never left your lips until the very end. As long as you could smile, you kept telling us your jokes."

Dr. Allouche's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 14:00 at the Ashkelon cemetery. The family will sit shiva at their home on 6 Yonatan Fridan Street, ground floor, apartment 2, Ashkelon.