Yosef Chaim Ashraf

Yosef Chaim Ashraf, son of Pirha and Meir and Hili's twin brother, was born in Tiberias on 5 February 1997. From childhood he was drawn to sport, taking part in races and playing basketball. As a teenager, he volunteered with Magen David Adom as a medic and later as an instructor. After school, he spent a year at a pre-military academy in Arad, and in 2016 he enlisted in the IDF. During his service, he joined the transport unit, attended command and officer courses and commanded recruits. He continued into career service and attained the rank of captain during his lifetime.

After his discharge, he continued reporting for reserve duty. When the war broke out, he was abroad, worked to return quickly and came back to Israel on 9 October 2023 to join the reserves. He subsequently served hundreds of days of reserve duty. His friend from the unit, Eliran Bikhovsky, who spoke with Radio Kol Rega after his death, remembered him from their shared training and later as his commander. He described a smiling person who managed to encourage others even in difficult situations. He said the funeral also revealed the deep bond Yosef had maintained with his fellow soldiers and the students he had instructed at Magen David Adom.

In civilian life, Yosef managed a branch of Hummus Eliyahu. His friend Hen Ninio said that soldiers, people in need and families in distress received hot meals there free of charge. That generosity also underlay the memorial initiative Ninio launched with other friends: buying a thermal drone to locate missing people, carry out rescues and save lives. According to an article published in January 2026, the drone was intended for volunteer operations and would bear Yosef Chaim's name. The initiative sought to continue his path through practical help for others.

In May 2025, Yosef reported for another round of reserve duty in the Tinshemet Unit of the HaBazak Division. On 14 August 2025, 20 Av 5785, he died during his service in the war at the age of twenty-eight. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Tiberias and was survived by his parents and sister. His friends' words preserve his smile, dedication and willingness to give, alongside the pain of a young life cut short. May his memory be a blessing.