Sgt 1st Class Avner Shalom

Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Avner Shalom, 29, of Eilat, died of wounds sustained in a gun battle at the Gush Katif junction. Shalom, serving in the reserves, was killed after the passengers of a Palestinian car opened fire at the jeep he was driving, which was part of a roadblock at the junction.

When the Palestinians in the car continued to shoot at the soldiers, the soldiers' retaliated, killing the assailants. Shalom, who was hit in the chest and arm, was first thought to be moderately wounded, but his condition deteriorated and he was transfered to Soroka Hospital in Beer-sheba, where he died.

Avner, the oldest of four brothers, was named after his uncle who was killed during the Six Day War. Avner leaves behind his parents, Malkha and Daniel, and three brothers. He was laid to rest in the military section of the Eilat cemetery.