Nokdim Accompanies Fallen Soldier Naveh Leshem On His Final Journey | WATCH

In the rolling hills of Gush Etzion, the tight-knit community of Nokdim gathered today, their hearts heavy, their hands clutching Israeli flags. They stood shoulder to shoulder, lining the dusty roads of their home, to honor one of their own—Staff Sergeant Naveh Leshem, a 20-year-old Golani Brigade soldier, who fell in a fierce battle in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, yesterday (Monday).

As the Leshem family made their somber journey to Mount Herzl for Naveh’s funeral, the people of Nokdim sent them off with a silent, powerful tribute: a sea of blue and white flags, waving in the breeze, a symbol of unity and sacrifice.

Naveh was no ordinary young man. Born and raised in Nokdim, a settlement known for its blend of religious and secular Jews, he embodied the spirit of a generation forged in fire.

Naveh was inside an armored vehicle when a terrorist detonated an explosive device, stealing his life and wounding ten others, including four critically. The news hit Nokdim like a thunderbolt. Avigdor Liberman, a resident and former politician, called Naveh “a heroic soldier and outstanding fighter, driven by mission, values, and love for the land.”

The community knew him not just as a warrior but as a son, a neighbor, a friend—someone who walked these streets and dreamed of a future that would never come.

Today, as the Leshem family’s car wound through Nokdim toward Jerusalem, the residents stood in solemn vigil. A video captured by Tal Mo shows the procession, flags held high, faces etched with grief and pride.

A photograph by Alexandra Finkovsky freezes a moment: the community’s quiet strength, their flags a defiant stand against despair. Home Front Command restrictions limited the funeral’s attendance, but Nokdim’s gesture ensured Naveh’s memory would not be confined to a small ceremony.

As his family lays him to rest at Mount Herzl, Nokdim holds them close, their flags a promise that Naveh’s legacy will endure. In the words of a local resident on X, “We salute him and embrace his family in this painful hour.”

Naveh Leshem, may your memory be a blessing. Your community, your nation, will not forget you.