Gur Kehati, a 20-year-old medic serving in the Golani Brigade, was killed in southern Lebanon in November 2024. His death occurred during military operations involving the IDF and Hezbollah. Following the loss of their son, the Kehati family has decided to leave their home in Nir Banim to relocate to Crete. Ron Kehati explained the family’s decision to move abroad, stating, "We can't find solace in Israel, we can't recover there," noting that the environment at home prevents their healing process. The loss of the 20-year-old Golani Brigade medic has left a profound void that the family felt could not be reconciled while remaining in their original community.
Circumstances of the Deployment
Military commanders assigned Gur Kehati to enter southern Lebanon specifically to accompany a civilian researcher during the mission that resulted in his death. Documentation from the IDF indicates that this deployment occurred during ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. The specific task required the medic to provide medical coverage for the individual throughout the duration of the movement within the territory. The decision to send the 20-year-old Golani Brigade medic into an active combat zone to accompany a civilian researcher remains a central point of focus for his parents. This particular assignment placed the young soldier in a position of significant risk during the November 2024 operations in southern Lebanon.
A Life Altered
The impact of the death of Gur Kehati has been exhaustive for his family. Ron Kehati and Maayan Kehati finalized their relocation to Crete on 1 October 2026. The couple moved to the island from their previous residence in Nir Banim. Maayan Kehati stated that the decision to leave Israel followed the conclusion of legal and administrative processes regarding the death of their son. Ron Kehati added that the move to Crete is intended to serve as a permanent change of residence for the family.
The transition from Nir Banim to Crete represents a fundamental shift for Ron Kehati and Maayan Kehati. After the events in southern Lebanon in November 2024, the family sought a environment removed from the site of their son's death. The administrative and legal proceedings that occupied the family following the loss of the 20-year-old Golani Brigade medic were exhaustive, and the relocation was only finalized once these requirements were met. By choosing to settle in Crete, the family is attempting to establish a new life away from the circumstances surrounding the death of their son, who was killed while serving in his capacity as a medic. The relocation of Ron and Maayan Kehati marks the end of their time in Nir Banim and the start of their life abroad.
