Ohad was born on April 9, 1974. A resident of Nir Oz, he was scheduled to be accepted as a kibbutz member on October 11, 2023. He was abducted from his home on October 7 and murdered by his captors in Gaza three months later.
Ohad was the husband of Bat-Sheva and the father of Eitan and Yael, as well as of a toddler girl who joined the family. He was an exemplary family man and a pillar of strength for both his immediate and extended family, a devoted father, a sensitive and caring son, a wonderful uncle and a loving brother.
A man of the land, Ohad was a hiker and lover of open spaces and nature, a person of strong values and deep compassion. He loved people, respected each person for who they were and consistently acted selflessly on behalf of others – quietly and modestly.
Ohad was charismatic and attracted many friends over the years. He had a special quality that made each friend feel as though he were his very best friend. He was sensitive to each of them and truly loved them all.
He was drawn to unusual fields of interest: Ohad deeply loved the desert and was exceptionally knowledgeable about the trails of the Judean Desert, the Negev and Jordan. He was also a scorpion researcher and together with several partners, initiated the writing of an updated field guide to scorpions.
Earlier, he served as an instructor at the Sde Boker Field School and was widely regarded as a highly influential educator. This quality was also evident in his work with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Green Patrol.
Ohad worked for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for nineteen years. In his final role, he served as the Southern District Director of the Green Patrol. He was a man of action and dedication, driven by a passionate desire to effect change and make a difference, while upholding values and moral principles.
He had an excellent sense of humor and made his family laugh until they cried. Ohad was a fearless adventurer and athlete.
On October 7, he went out to defend his family, fought terrorists inside the house, was shot, wounded and abducted alive to the Gaza Strip. His family remained unaware of his condition until his body was returned on February 27, 2025. Upon his return, it became clear that Ohad had been murdered while in captivity. Ohad was laid to rest in Nir Oz, in the soil of the Negev and the desert he loved so dearly.
His family and friends miss the extraordinary person he was and deeply mourn both his loss and the manner in which he was taken from them.
He was 49 years old when he was murdered.
May Ohad’s memory be a blessing.
