One-sentence summary: After losing her best friend to a missile strike, a young Israeli soldier joined the air defense forces—and now helps intercept the same threats that took her friend’s life.
Nine months ago, Corporal M. lost her close childhood friend Noa, who was killed by a direct missile strike on a building in Be’er Sheva during the operation “With the Strength of a Lion.” The two had just finished high school and were about to enlist together in the military. Instead, Noa never made it to her enlistment day.
Noa, 18, was in the building with her boyfriend, Corporal Eitan Zaks, who was also killed in the strike along with his mother and another neighbor. The tragedy left a deep mark on M., who only weeks later reached the moment she and Noa had planned to share—her enlistment day.
“When I went to the combat screening, the air defense corps caught my eye,” she said. “Looking back, especially after losing Noa, I understand it wasn’t just a random choice or coincidence.”