Sgt. Osher Simha Barzilay, 19, a soldier in the Gaza Division, from Mazkeret Batya, was killed on October 7 when Hamas overran the Nahal Oz IDF outpost.
Her sister, Yarden Carmeli, told At magazine that she last heard from her sister, who was holed up in the IDF war room, at 10:23 a.m., when she texted her: “Pray for me.” A week later, they were informed that she had been killed and her remains identified.
She is survived by her parents, Lior and Tikva, her five siblings, Sapir, Eden, Yarin, Yarden and Chen, and her boyfriend Ori Asaf. She was buried in her hometown on October 15.
She was remembered for being a talented guitar and piano player and excelling in all of her studies, particularly science subjects, and that she dreamed of one day becoming a brain surgeon.
She took part in the very selective national neuroscience program at the Davidson Institute of Science Education, where motivated students study the brain: “Even among this very unique group of talented students, Osher stood out as one of the most impressive pupils,” her 12th grade teacher, Noa Pinsker-Zeharia, told Ynet. “She charmed us not only with her curiosity, intelligence and original thinking, but first and foremost with her empathy and kindness which she spread to all those around her — students and teachers alike.”
Barzilay was also a volunteer with the Magen David Adom ambulance service in the Rehovot station, which she started at 2019 when she was just 15, rising up through the ranks and taking many courses to add further skills.
“She is as her name suggests – Osher was filled with joy, always happy and with a smile, would be the first to help and assist when required, and made certain to join a shift every week and volunteer on the ambulance or MICU,” said Hila Pilosof, an MDA paramedic and youth volunteer manager at the Rehovot station. “She was a wonderful volunteer with an enchanting personality, who dreamed that she would grow to be a doctor and continue to save lives. May her memory be blessed.”
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