Dolev was born in Nir Oz on March 12, 1988. The eldest son of Yehi and Yael and the grandson of the late Mior and Hanna, and the brother of Neta and Arbel, he was a handsome, energetic and mischievous boy, witty, funny, loving and a good friend. His friends called him “the group’s northern star” — the one who united everyone and was always there to listen.
The Dolev, or plane tree, is characterized by its broad trunk, striking presence, rarity and healing properties. Its leaves are large and spread out, like a hand yearning to embrace and give. That was who he was, and those were precisely the qualities that defined him. Dolev was the central pillar of his family, and wherever he went, he immediately stood out with his smile and captivating personality. He had an enormous heart. A heart the size of two hearts, just like his name, which means “two hearts.” A heart eager to give and help anyone in need.
The bond between Dolev and Sigal began as a beautiful friendship that blossomed into everlasting love by the end of sixth grade, when they were both 12. Together, they built a home in Nir Oz and had four children: Raz, Yotam and Ron — all born in Nir Oz — and little Dor, who was born nine days after the Black Shabbat. She never had the chance to know her father, and he never had the chance to know her.
Dolev’s children were his entire world, and he devoted all his time to nurturing his family. He was an engaged father — from the delivery room to end-of-year ceremonies, extracurricular activities, trips and games. He wanted to give them a world and a home like the one he had in Kibbutz Nir Oz, which he never left.
Dolev was a farmer by nature and a practical construction engineer by training, combining a creative mind, skilled hands and a quick grasp.
In 2016, Dolev successfully completed a medic training course, after which he began volunteering with Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah, becoming one of the few volunteer medics in Israel active with both organizations.
He responded swiftly to every call for assistance, treating and aiding those in need. Two weeks before October 7, he was named the outstanding volunteer of United Hatzalah’s Gaza Envelope branch.
On the morning of October 7, Dolev, a member of the kibbutz emergency response team, rushed out of his home to fight and save lives — true to his nature, he acted without hesitation, remaining focused, determined and resourceful from the very first moment to the last.
Dolev and his fellow emergency response team members battled side by side, few against many, for hours on end throughout the kibbutz they cherished so deeply, beneath the constant shade of the magnificent poinciana trees and along the jacaranda-lined paths, across the lawns and paths between the members’ gardens and the children’s houses where they had grown up and raised their own children.
Thank you, our beloved Dolev, for being there when our whole world fell apart.
Forgive us for not being able to help you.
Forgive us for not being as brave and as determined as you.
Forgive us for allowing those who abandoned you to your death to abandon you again afterward as well.
We love you, miss you, keep you in our thoughts and hold you in our memories each and every day.
He was 35 years old when he fell in battle.
May Dolev’s memory be a blessing.
