• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Hero Israeli tank commander killed after storming Hamas terrorists, saving civilians
Economy

Hero Israeli tank commander killed after storming Hamas terrorists, saving civilians

by November 13, 2023
by November 13, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

JERUSALEM – An Israeli tank commander from the country’s minority Druze community, who was killed in combat in Gaza, should serve as a symbol for all Israelis that in order to defeat darkness the country must unite, the father of the soldier, the highest-ranking military officer to be killed so far, told Fox News Digital.

Lt. Col. Salman Habaka was hailed as a hero following Hamas’ surprise mass terror attack in Israel on Oct. 7 after commandeering two tanks and heading to battle thousands of Palestinian terrorists even before his own commanders realized what was happening. Less than four weeks later, on Nov. 2, Habaka, 33, was killed in action by a Hamas sniper as Israeli forces deepened their ground incursion into Gaza.

Stories of heroic acts committed by Israelis in stopping Hamas terror atrocities have shone a spotlight on some of the country’s minority communities who also played their part in preventing more terror. Israel’s non-Jewish population is around 20%, including Muslim, Christian and Druze, an esoteric, monotheistic religion that incorporates elements of all Abrahamic religions and other philosophies.

‘On the morning of Oct. 7, we had a family event planned,’ Habaka’s father, Emad Habaka, told Fox News Digital from his home in the Druze village of Yanuh Jat, in northern Israel. ‘I called him to check if it was still going ahead but he told me that he had to go back to his base immediately. When I asked him why, he just told me to turn on the TV.’ 

While the elder Habaka, like most other Israelis, was still trying to figure out what was happening in southern Israel, along the border with the Gaza Strip, his son – already a decorated IDF commander – was speeding to his base in the Negev desert to retrieve his tank.  

‘He somehow understood what was going on and even though he received no orders from his commanders, he decided to get his tank and head into battle,’ said the father, 60, describing Salman, a father of one, as a modest and respectful person who always did whatever he could to help other people.  

According to Salman’s own retelling a few days after Hamas’ day-long rampage through southern Israel, murdering more than 1,400 people – civilians and soldiers – and taking some 240 people hostage, he rushed from his home, also in Yanuh-Jat, to join the fighting.  

‘I drove from the Galilee to a base near Tze’elim in order to get the tank and reach the community as quickly as possible to save every soul I could,’ he recounted to Israeli media outlets.  

Arriving at Kibbutz Be’eri – one of the communities worst hit by Hamas terrorists – Habaka said he joined the other soldiers fighting there. 

‘I saw Col. Barak Hiram and the first thing he ordered me to do was to fire a tank round into the house,’ Habaka told Israeli media. ‘The first question you ask yourself is whether there are civilian hostages in the house. We conducted all the preliminary actions before deciding to fire into the house, but as soon as we fired into that house, we were able to move from house to house and free the hostages. The fighting continued until evening, within the kibbutz’s streets.’ 

Later, Habaka said that what stayed with him was how cowardly the terrorists were, taking over civilian communities on a Jewish holiday in order to ‘murder, slaughter and abduct elderly people and infants.’ 

Heading into Gaza a few weeks later, Habaka told the soldiers under his command that he expected ‘the Israeli people to continue standing united, to continue to be resilient because only together will we know our strength.’  

The Israeli Druze community live in numerous villages dotted across northern Israel. They have had a presence in the region for at least a thousand years, and their communities are also found in Lebanon, Syria and parts of Jordan. 

Roughly 8% of Israel’s Arab minority, which is roughly 20% of the country’s population of 9 million, Druze are fiercely loyal to whichever state they live, and in Israel, most of the men serve in the military under a compulsory enlistment law.  

However, because the Druze speak Arabic, follow some Islamic practices, and have Arabic-sounding names, Jewish Israelis often confuse them with Israel’s mainly Muslim Arab minority and, in the past, especially during periods of high tension between Israelis and Palestinians, they face some discrimination.  

Emad Habaka said that following Hamas’ brutal attack, it was time for attitudes in Israel toward the Druze, and other minorities, to change.  

‘We are all citizens of Israel,’ Emad Habaka told Fox. ‘We invest in this country, and we give our best sons up to fight in the army. There needs to be more focus on equality between Jews and other groups.’  

‘My son believed that the only way to defeat our enemies, the only way to defeat darkness, was to fight together,’ Habaka said. ‘This is a strong message to all the people of Israel.’  

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told Fox that the Druze had a special place in the cultural, religious and ethnic mosaic that is Israel.  

‘I’ve had the privilege of knowing a number of Druze soldiers serving in the IDF,’ he said. ‘They are courageous fighters and loyal patriots. Lt. Col. Salman Habaka lived and died as a hero. His memory is a blessing to his community and to all of Israel.’ 

While the elder Habaka said he is destroyed by his son’s death, he has found comfort knowing Salman died a hero. In the week since Salman was killed, his father described an outpouring of condolence calls from top military officials and some of the country’s leadership, as well as many of those he saved from Kibbutz Be’eri.

‘He killed many of the terrorists and history will remember what he did there,’ said Habaka, adding, ‘It took us two or three days to really understand what he did on Oct. 7… He went there based on instinct and he took his soldiers to save lives, I was so proud of him, only heroes do things like that.’  

Asked how he views the ongoing conflict – especially as Israeli forces move deeper into Gaza and more soldiers and civilians stand to die – Habaka told Fox: ‘We did not choose this war, it was forced on us and we need to do whatever we can to protect the State of Israel.’  

‘I really hope that we can win this war, bring back the hostages being held in Gaza, and bring back peace,’ he said.   

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Potential Trump VP picks react to attempted assassination: ‘Stronger than his enemies’
  • Federal judge blocks New York counties’ attempt to protect local hotels from becoming migrant shelters
  • Put policy aside: Kamala Harris will win or lose based on the excitement factor
  • House GOP probes whether White House suppressed public statement on Biden’s classified docs mishandling
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Poland sees massive nationalist march honoring ‘God, family and Fatherland’ after globalist election results
next post
US, Israel unsure how many Hamas hostages are ‘still alive,’ Jake Sullivan says

You may also like

Genocide, famine in Sudan as Biden admin accused of being...

December 27, 2023

Senate clears hurdle to passing aid package for Ukraine, Israel...

February 12, 2024

Stampede, gunfire at Gaza humanitarian aid delivery kills over 100,...

March 1, 2024

Biden was in direct contact with Hunter’s business partners using...

December 6, 2023

Michigan AG Nessel says income tax cut temporary

March 29, 2023

Biden slams Trump multiple times in State of the Union...

March 8, 2024

Ukraine’s ‘Underground Railroad’ rescues abducted Ukrainian children from Russian reeducation...

February 8, 2024

Trump medical report released as Biden faces concerns over age,...

November 21, 2023

Protesters gather outside SCOTUS Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home on 50th...

January 23, 2023

Harris was ‘reluctant’ to choose Shapiro because of his ‘Jewish...

August 7, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to production delays

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold Rates Steady

      June 19, 2025
    • DOJ seizes record $225 million in crypto tied to global ‘pig butchering’ scams

      June 19, 2025
    • Feeling Unsure About the Stock Market’s Next Move? These Charts Can Help

      June 18, 2025
    • Amazon expects to cut corporate jobs as it relies more on AI

      June 18, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,599 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,874 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,577 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,541 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,416 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,140)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,620)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to...

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold...

      June 19, 2025
    • DOJ seizes record $225 million in crypto tied to global...

      June 19, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,140)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,620)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Trump to travel to New York...

    April 1, 2023

    Supreme Court sharply divided over enforcing...

    April 23, 2024

    House Republicans push Biden to take...

    February 17, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here