Omer Kabilio

Omer Kabilio was born in Petah Tikva on 18 December 2001, the son of Tali and Doron and brother of Yarin, Ori and Hillel. When he was three and a half, his family moved to Moshav Nehalim, where he grew up and attended elementary school and the Bnei Akiva Nehalim high school yeshiva. As a teenager, he volunteered with Krembo Wings and at an ILAN summer camp, spending time with children and young people with special needs and disabilities. His family described him as sociable, optimistic and sensitive to others, ready to lend a hand and deeply close to his parents and siblings.

In 2019 he enlisted in the IDF and served in the Military Police Corps. After his discharge, he began working in the handling department at Ben Gurion Airport, loading and unloading passenger aircraft. Ran Tzidkiyahu, the head of the department and his direct manager, said Omer had worked there for about a year, during which he spent more than four months on reserve duty following the outbreak of the war. He said his colleagues knew him as a skilled, courteous employee who wanted to advance to other roles and was always willing to help his teammates.

Alongside his airport work, Omer founded a business making mezuzahs and devoted much effort to it. In his farewell tribute, his uncle Shimon recalled his joy in life, his smile and his ability to connect with people. He described Omer's love of nature and of others, and his willingness to volunteer and be there when someone needed him. Family bonds and his many friendships were central to the memories left by those who loved him.

During the war, Omer was called up for reserve duty and served in the north. On 19 May 2024 he was killed in a motorcycle accident during his service. Sergeant first class Omer Kabilio was 22 and was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Petah Tikva. He is survived by his parents and three siblings. His father continued running the mezuzah business he had founded, and his family created a mezuzah model bearing his name. He is also commemorated at the memorial for fallen Military Police personnel at Camp Gur. May his memory be a blessing.