Retired IDF Paratrooper Zuri Shagai, Revered by Kurds and Praised by Rabin, Dies at 92

Zuri Shagai, a retired IDF Brigadier General and one of the most prominent paratrooper commanders in Israeli military history, passed away at the age of 92. Over his 32-year military career, Shagai served in key operational roles within the regular and reserve paratrooper brigades and commanded regional brigades in the Jordan Valley, Solomon Bay, and the Golan Heights. He was a foundational figure in the early days of the 890th Paratrooper Battalion and played a pivotal role in establishing Israel's military ties with Kurdish rebels in Iraq, becoming a revered figure among the Kurds.

Born in Herzliya and raised in the moshav Ein Vered, Shagai enlisted in the paratroopers in 1952. Early in his career, he commanded a platoon under Ariel Sharon and later led a battalion under Rafael Eitan (Rafoul). He was instrumental in shifting IDF doctrine from defensive to offensive operations, a groundbreaking approach at the time. Notably, during a deep reconnaissance mission in Gaza, Shagai and a comrade disguised themselves among the local population, survived heavy fire from armed Egyptian soldiers, and successfully completed their intelligence gathering, earning praise from Sharon and Meir Har-Zion.

Shagai demonstrated leadership and courage during Operation Olive Tree in 1955, taking command after Rafoul was wounded and completing the mission to capture a Syrian outpost. His leadership was further commended by then Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin during the 1965 Operation Stout Rock in Jordan, where Shagai’s battalion performed with exceptional composure under close-range fire. He also participated in the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, commanding forces in the Solomon Bay and Golan Heights, respectively.

Beyond his IDF service, Shagai advised the Ethiopian army and assisted the Shah of Iran in protecting oil facilities. His most significant legacy lies in his deep involvement with Kurdish forces in Iraq, where from 1966 he trained Kurdish officers and fighters and served as head of Israel’s military mission in Kurdistan. His tactical guidance helped Kurdish forces achieve a decisive victory against the Iraqi army at Mount Handrin in 1966. His efforts forged a lasting pro-Israel sentiment among Iraqi Kurds, a rare phenomenon in the Islamic world.

After retiring in 1984, Shagai returned to farming in Kfar Hess, viewing agriculture as a lifestyle and a source of physical and spiritual well-being. He maintained close ties with his military comrades and was a central figure in the "Einda Group," which met regularly to sing patriotic songs. He is survived by his wife, Tzippa, and son, Yair. In 2012, he was honored as a distinguished citizen of Ramat Gan, the city that adopted the paratrooper brigade. His funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Tel Mond.