On the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023, at a post near Kibbutz Zikim, word arrived that terrorists were being engaged near Moshav Netiv HaAsara. Three fighters from the 51st Battalion set out for the battle site in an armored jeep —the company commander and 19-year-old Uri Locker of Pardes Hanna and one other fighter. They nearly reached the entry to the moshav, but dozens of terrorists were already dominating the approaches. The three soldiers were caught up in fierce fighting that lasted more than an hour, battling the terrorists despite being badly outnumbered. All three fell in action.
Even in high school, Uri had dreamed of fighting in the Golani Brigade. He considered the defense of the homeland a supreme value and had hoped to continue serving in the security forces after his release from the IDF. May he rest in peace.
