Cape Town – Relatives and close associates of Sa’ar Margolis, a 37-year-old South African, who was one of the two individuals confirmed to have lost their lives in the Hamas attack on Israel, have praised his courage.
According to Times Live, Margolis, originally from South Africa, had made Israel his home.
He was was part of the security standby team in Kibbutz Kissufim near the Gaza strip.
His friend, Alex Kogan, took to Facebook and shared Margolis’ last moments, highlighting his courage in the face of danger.
“In loving memory of my friend and team member Sa’ar Margolis, a loving husband and father of 2.
“His wife Yasmin asked us to share his story for the world to know,” Kogan wrote.
She said: “Sa’ar, a hero for all and my own personal hero, fulfilled his true role to save his home, the people with whom he grew up and only after he prevented a much greater tragedy he fell in combat as he faced the cruellest evil.
“In the morning, as he heard the sirens blaring, he jumped up without hesitation as he realised something far worse is happening — our kibbutz (community settlement) was flooded with murderous terrorist squads.
“Sa’ar showed me how to lock the safe room and told me: ‘You know I will never forgive myself if I stay here. I’m going to save our house and come right back.
“He didn’t come back, but thanks to his resourcefulness and bravery, we and so many others are here today.”
Marcelle Talia, another South African, was also confirmed to have been killed in the same attack while visiting her daughter in Israel.
The Kibbutz Kissufim community expressed the pain and devastation caused by the attack, with some individuals still missing or abducted.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
