As Michel Illouz slowly made his way through the crowds beneath the cypress trees and date palms at the burial ground in Ra'anana, a city located 13 miles north of Tel Aviv, he showed appreciation to countless visitors as possible.
Previously he offered an invitation to the local community to accompany his loved ones in grieving his twenty-six-year-old son, Guy, whose remains had been repatriated from Gaza on Monday.
Substantial Gathering
Numerous people answered the request. They filled the roads, processed behind the coffin transport carrying his body, and arrived at the burial site in such substantial amounts that the original plan to hold the memorial indoors had to be abandoned.
As an alternative, the ceremony was conducted in the open air, with the background of the sound of birdsong.
Notable Occasion
This marked the first funeral since the remaining two dozen captives were returned from Gaza, together with several deceased individuals. Additional 21 of the fallen captives remain missing, but at the very minimum this loved ones now had a particular spot to grieve and honor their son, per friends.
Heartbreaking Narrative
Guy Illouz, a artist and sound technician, had been struck from behind at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Before the tragedy unfolded, he had called his father from a concealed location to share his affection; to say goodbye. He was seized, and based on those captured simultaneously, he later died from his trauma due to medical neglect.
Loved One's Insight
A close acquaintance of the Illouz household, Michelle, aged 50, stated that it had been extremely important to them that individuals came today. The Illouz household, encompassing Guy's female relatives and brother, had undertaken the traditional grieving process, the extended period of bereavement, after discovering of his passing in December of the year before. But now that Guy was at long last back with them, they desired "people around them again."
"My spirit is uplifted that you came," stated Michel. "We don't take it for granted."
Dad's Eulogy
He addressed his son. "Beloved Guy," he expressed, using a term of endearment, "it's challenging for me to conceive the future without you. They snatched you from me – they killed you – they kidnapped me and robbed my persona and killed my inner being and emotional core."
"There's a void within me since that meaningless attack by those evil terrorists when they caught you and told you to turn around, and then simply fired two needless bullets into your posterior."
Final Goodbye
"And here I am this morning, traveling to Abu Kabir identification center to identify you and part ways. They removed the white sheet, and the initial sight I saw was that characteristic grin, that optimism, that calm demeanor and nobility that so characterized you."
"I touched you, tried to detect your scent, gently felt each part in your body. I observed you, I was by myself with you, and yes, I felt with complete conviction that it was you. Yes, I know, Guy-shuk, that you've returned to us. You've rejoined your relatives' care, to all your friends, and to the countless people whose emotions your experience impacted."
Parental Resilience
During the initial segment of the service, Illouz had focused entirely on comforting his smaller offspring. He tenderly caressed the strands of his female children, supported his male child, showed affection and maintained composure for them. But then his voice broke.
Precious Moments
"I will yearn for so much exploring alongside you through this nation, experiencing your company, listening to your compositions, relaxing in mountainous areas and igniting the flame to make coffee the way only you mastered – 'Father, do you see the coffee froth? You have to heat it slowly, let the foam rise, then heat it once more. Agitate the liquid with rotating movements' – and then your expression while enjoying the drink and your delight in every single drop."
"Before I left Abu Kabir today, I fulfilled my commitment. I looked at you, breathed you in one ultimate occasion, and yes, I bestowed affection on the front of your head. I was managed to observe your attractiveness even in the state in which you returned to us."
Ultimate Expression
"Beloved child, I adore you completely, I love you. I will yearn for you every second and tiny segment of my time. Find peace, my beloved son, repose after a journey of two years through unexplored dimensions to us. I love you, my dear Guy, my treasured initial offspring."
