Twenty-year-old Shay Arvas from Holon, a combat soldier in the Saber Battalion of the Givati Brigade, was killed in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
At the Ort Holon School where Shai excelled in computer and electronics engineering, specializing in biomedicine, the news of his death was met with profound sadness.
"Shay was a leader,” said the school principal Shlomi Ganon. “He graduated from the biomedicine program, and he stood out for his selflessness, commitment to others, and fostering a sense of unity."
Ganon recalled how the soldier was active in his youth movement and volunteered in a program connecting young students with Holocaust survivors.
An exceptional young man
“Shay aspired to serve in the most combat-ready unit,” the principal added. “He was truly an exceptional individual."
"For two years, he devoted his time to keep company to a Holocaust survivor every week, always giving his best,” Ganon further said. “He volunteered for various activities while pursuing his studies in the prestigious biomedicine program. He excelled both academically and socially. His loss is profoundly painful."
Since the outbreak of the war, Ort Holon has tragically lost three graduates - two soldiers and a graduate who was murdered at the music festival.