‘Remember me fondly’ – IDF vet dies by suicide

Daniel Edri, a 24-year-old veteran who rushed to help during the Nova massacre, took his own life after months of serving on the frontlines in Gaza and Lebanon.

By World Israel News Staff

A former combat soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces, who served in the Gaza Strip, died by suicide over the weekend, his family told Hebrew-language media.

Daniel Edri, a 24-year-old from the northern city of Safed, took his own life early Saturday morning, his sister Eden told Mako.

Shortly before his death, Edri sent a message to his brother, asking him to “remember him fondly.”

According to Eden, her brother had served as a driver in a combat unit during his mandatory military service. His time in the army was uneventful, and he was honorably discharged three years ago.

But Edri’s life changed on October 7th, 2023, when he realized that two of his closest friends, Eliasaf Ben Porat and Gabriel Yishai Barel, were under attack at the Nova Festival.

Edri’s sister said he immediately traveled to the southern region – which was under attack by Hamas – in order to rescue his friends.

While Edri was unable to locate his friends, “he joined forces with the police and soldiers at the site, and saw a lot of murdered” Israelis, Eden said.

He then enlisted in the reserves, serving as a driver for the elite Yahalom unit for more than 18 months.

During his reserve service, Edri helped transport the bodies of wounded soldiers and murdered hostages from Hamas tunnels.

After many months in Gaza, he was transferred to Lebanon, where he helped move the bodies of IDF soldiers slain in battle during fighting against Hezbollah.

What Edri experienced at the Nova Festival, as well as during his service in Gaza and Lebanon, was too much for him to bear, his sister said.

“He was crying out for help,” Eden recounted to Mako. “He had outbursts, he talked about the smell of the bodies.”

The Ministry of Defense recognized Edri as a disabled veteran, citing his PTSD, and received a stipend.

Edri’s family is pushing for him to be buried in an army cemetery, despite military policies making that unlikely.

Because Edri was no longer an active-duty soldier or reservist at the time of his death, he is not entitled to a military burial.

“Daniel wanted to die as a hero for the country, defending the country and his friends was his ultimate goal,” Eden said.

Edri is survived by his mother, Sigal, 30-year-old sister Eden, 25-year-old brother Noam, and 22-year-old brother Yehoyada.

Over a decade ago, Edri’s father died by suicide, Mako reported.