Israeli flags beside the grave of Staff Sgt. Regev Amar, who was killed at Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7, were torn down and vandalized for a second time in a week at the Sde Nehemia cemetery. The perpetrators remain unidentified, though Amar's mother publicly accused members of the Haredi community. Amar, 20, served as a Negev machine-gunner in the Paratroopers and was promoted posthumously to Staff Sergeant. His family has launched "Derech Regev," a pre-military academy branch, to preserve his values and memory.
Israeli Flags Torn From Grave of Fallen Soldier Regev Amar; Perpetrators Unidentified
Flags placed beside the grave of Staff Sgt. Regev Amar vandalized in the Sde Nehemia cemetery in northern Israel, August 4, 2026. (photo credit: Courtesy)
Israeli flags placed beside the grave of Staff Sgt. Regev Amar — who was killed in combat at Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7 — were torn down and vandalized on Tuesday at the cemetery in Kibbutz Sde Nehemia. Authorities and family members say the individuals responsible have not been identified.
Regev's mother, Gilanit Amar, wrote on social media that this was the second time in one week that flags at her son's grave were damaged and accused members of the Haredi community of responsibility. She described the discovery as painfully difficult for the family.
"Regev fought on October 7 for all the people of Israel, regardless of religion, race, or gender," Gilanit Amar wrote. "Regevi, I'm sorry."
Regev, 20, was buried at the Sde Nehemia cemetery beside the Nahal Hermon stream — a place his family says he cherished and where he spent many meaningful moments. The cemetery sits next to a popular path used by pedestrians, cyclists and hikers, and family members and local residents say that, in addition to repeated damage to the flags, visitors sometimes leave trash and relieve themselves in nearby bushes because of a lack of restrooms, despite trash bins provided by the Upper Galilee Regional Council.
His Service and Final Actions
Amar served as a Negev machine-gunner in the Paratroopers Brigade's 101st Battalion and had been attending a squad commanders course at Bislah, the School for Infantry Corps Professions and Squad Commanders. He dreamed of becoming an officer, training soldiers and later studying medicine with a focus on trauma care.
Fallen soldier Staff Sgt. Regev Amar, who fell in battle in Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7. (credit: Courtesy)
On the morning of October 7 his unit was deployed toward the Gaza border area. Along the way they engaged armed cells and rescued a young woman from an attempted abduction. When the unit reached Kibbutz Kissufim, Amar was struck multiple times in the lower body and lost sensation in his legs. Despite severe wounds and heavy bleeding, he calmly continued to direct the fighting and warned comrades not to approach in order to avoid further casualties:
"If you come near me, you will die. Stay where you are."After a comrade recited the Shema Yisrael with him, a grenade was thrown toward Amar and his voice fell silent.
He was promoted posthumously to Staff Sergeant. He is survived by his parents and two sisters.
Legacy
To honor his memory, Amar's family has established "Derech Regev," a branch of the Galil Elyon pre-military academy in Sde Nehemia. The program will emphasize the values his family associates with him: love of the land, protecting nature, service to others and community volunteering.
Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects in the vandalism. Family members and local leaders say they hope for increased patrols or measures to protect the gravesite and preserve the dignity of the area for visitors and mourners.
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