Israel National News: Yehudit Nitzan, mother of Sergeant Gilad Nitzan, a Givati Brigade reconnaissance unit soldier who was killed in action in northern Gaza, tells Arutz Sheva - Israel National News that her son radiated a special spirit, that he had a big smile that opened hearts and built bridges, and that his character conveyed a message to everyone.

Gilad was born in a very complex year. "The year 2002 was a very difficult year. My cousin, Eran Pickar, was killed in a suicide bombing at Atzmona, then the Passover bombing at the Park Hotel, and then the Gavish family, our friends, and then friends from the community, were killed in a series of suicide bombings. I have been to many funerals and condolences and worried, asking which baby would be born to a mother who was sad and crying throughout her pregnancy," relates Yehudit and notes that Gilad was born on the second of Av, so his circumcision was on Tisha B'Av.

"We decided to call him Gilad Nehemya, meaning joy and comfort. We were given a joyful child, a baby who developed quickly with joy, with positive energy, with mischievousness and sweetness, which did not pass after childhood. He remained a boy with a big smile. People ask us if we chose only the pictures where he is smiling, and we said that it is simply him. We have a picture of him peeling potatoes in the army with a huge grin on his face."