Family Honors Fallen IDF Soldier Gilad Nitzan With Nationwide Kindness Initiative

Ten minutes before the start of Shabbat during the intense Iron Swords war, officers arrived at the home of the Nitzan family in Shilo to deliver tragic news. Yaakov Nitzan recounts how three officers came to inform him and his wife, Yehudit, that their son, Staff Sergeant Gilad Nitzan, a fighter in the Givati Reconnaissance Unit, was killed on the eighth day of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip. Gilad fell alongside his commander Yehuda Cohen and friend Yondav Lewinstein after encountering a terrorist force emerging from a tunnel. The three charged toward the source of fire, preventing severe harm to their unit. Even in his final moments, Gilad tried to shield Yondav under fire, an act for which he was recommended for a citation of valor, reflecting his selfless character.

Yaakov struggles to speak of Gilad in the past tense, emphasizing his ongoing influence. He shares stories of Gilad’s kindness, simplicity, and leadership, including a childhood memory where Gilad chose to sleep outside rather than wake his parents. To honor Gilad’s birthday on the 15th of Av, the family launched a "Day of Loving Kindness" initiative, which quickly grew into a national movement involving youth groups, schools, law firms, tech companies, hospitals, and thousands across Israel distributing flowers, letters, and acts of kindness in his memory.

Despite the pain, Yaakov finds strength in Gilad’s legacy, recalling how a friend undergoing conversion in the IDF felt compelled to celebrate Passover at their home because of Gilad’s influence. Yaakov has become a founding member of the Valor Forum, advocating publicly on security, war, and military recruitment issues. He stresses the need for decisive action by Israel’s government and military to protect soldiers and territory. Although approached by political parties, Yaakov prefers to impact society from outside politics.

When asked how he copes with his loss, Yaakov recalls Gilad’s motto from his reconnaissance training: "Don’t give up" and "Always be joyful." This, he says, is Gilad’s lasting message to keep moving forward with hope and joy despite hardships.