A Lion of Israel – The Life and Death of Alon Skagio

Alon Skagio, may he rest in peace, was born on the 5th of Adar, 5762 February 17, 2002, in Hadera, Israel.

He was the son of Doria and Ervin, and brother to Amit and Ariel.

He studied at the "HaGoren" elementary school, and then attended "Hadera High School" for middle and high school.

Throughout his school years, Alon was an exemplary student, renowned for his quick wit and kind heart. He was a beloved friend who was always there to lend a helping hand.

Alon's passion for sports and aviation was evident from a young age. He played basketball for Maccabi Hadera and, starting in the fourth grade, joined the Hadera Flying Club. As a talented pilot, Alon won numerous competitions and became a highly respected instructor. His dedication to the club led him to a position on its board, where he played a key role in shaping its future.

Alon was a natural leader, taking on various leadership roles throughout his middle school years. He served as vice-president of the student council, chaired the ethics committee, and was an active member of the Madzim youth movement.

In his free time, Alon loved spending time with his close friends, traveling around the country, and sharing a life with Sharon, his girlfriend of five years.

Alon was a big fan of reading, particularly history books and biographies of military and political figures.

Alon was a very hard worker. Before joining the army, he held a variety of jobs, some quite unusual. He helped install ventilation systems in circus tents, worked in the judo association's secretariat during judo competitions, and of course, continued to instruct at the Hadera Flying Club.

Alon had a sweet tooth for chocolate and a fondness for coffee, but his true passion was beer. He'd sample countless varieties, especially on Fridays when he and his friends would gather at the "Shevet" brewery in Pardes Hanna. His go-to beer? A delicate yet bold brew.

On December 10, 2020, Alon joined “Duvdevan”, a highly specialized, commando unit.

After completing a 14-month comprehensive training course as a combat soldier and sniper in Team 90, he was deployed to the West Bank for eight months, participating in numerous counterterrorism operations. Upon completion of his combat service, Alon successfully graduated from the Officers' Training School and was assigned to command the snipers' team in the elite unit – “Harov”.

From the moment Alon joined “Harov”, it was evident to his peers and superiors that he was an exceptional leader. He was highly motivated and driven to make a meaningful impact. Always assertive and forward-thinking, Alon was constantly looking for ways to contribute more. His soldiers felt a deep sense of camaraderie with him, as if he were an older brother.

A mature, thoughtful, commander, Alon had strong opinions. Influential to all his soldiers, he took care that that nothing was missing from anyone.

Throughout the Israel–Hamas war, Alon was actively involved in numerous combat operations in Judea and Samaria division, as well as in the complex urban warfare of Saja'iyya and Khan Yunis.

During his service in the Harov elite unit, Alon spearheaded the development of the unit's sniper capabilities. He implemented a comprehensive training program and fostered a culture of excellence, resulting in the formation of an elite sniper team.

On June 26, 2024, late at night, Alon took part in an operational activity in Jenin to locate terror suspects. While the convoy carrying the forces was moving, a high-power explosive charge, directed at the forces, detonated, severely damaging the medical personnel vehicle.

When the explosion occurred, Alon was the first to rush to the assistance of the paramedic, who had been critically injured inside the medical vehicle.

Alon rescued the paramedic from the vehicle, completing three trips to reach a stretcher. He then carefully loaded the injured man onto it. After, he evacuated all the soldiers to a safe distance, all the while, maintaining order and a calm demeanor.

During the evacuation of the injured, after Alon had moved the majority of his troops to a safe distance and was lifting the stretcher with three other soldiers, a second explosive device was detonated.

Alon was directly in the path of the explosion and bore the brunt of the blast, suffering critical injuries. He subsequently passed away at the Emek Medical Center in Afula.

All the soldiers who were around him, about 20 in number, survived and escaped with only   minor shrapnel and blast injuries.

Alon died on 21st of Sivan, 5784, June 27,2024.

After his death, we discovered a note on Alon's cellphone that he had written in November 2023, before he entered the fighting in Gaza.

The note was titled "In case…".

In the note, Alon essentially wrote us his will.

Alon asked us to open a brewery called "Duvdevan” (cherry), with several types of beers. He requested that we hold an annual event in his honor at the brewery, "with lots of good meat (hamburgers/barbecue), stalls, a good coffee cart, and plenty of beer." He wanted the event to be dedicated to his unit and to be named after him. He didn't want anything too big or flashy, just something modest, with lots of happy people.

Alon wrote a farewell message to each of us: to his parents, Doria and Ervin, to his brothers, Amit and Ariel, to his girlfriend Sharon, to his friends from Hadera, to the 90 team in Duvdevan, and to his snipers in the Haruv Unit.

Alon's final wish was for us to play Idan Amedi's "Beautiful Things to See" at his funeral. He asked us to pay close attention to the lyrics, and to carry on with our lives, knowing that there are still many beautiful things to experience. In response to our request, the beloved Idan Amedi visited our home, shared words of comfort, and performed "Beautiful Things to See" for us.

Alon wrote: "I believe in actions and deeds. I believe I did everything I could to protect the people and the place I love most. Be people of action, not of words."

Alon was a dedicated attendee of the annual Memorial Day ceremony held at Hadera's Yad Lebanim square and the military cemetery. Each year, he would pay his respects by visiting the graves of his fallen comrades.

Following his passing, we discovered a text Alon had written in 2020, the year he began his military service. This heartfelt message was composed in honor of Memorial Day, and in it, he expressed the profound significance of this day. Alon wrote, "Memorial Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars and Acts of Hostility is one of the most important days of the year. This day compels us, as Israelis, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, for our well-being, and for our future. Without their courage, it is impossible to fathom where we would be today."

Alon was 22 years old when he fell. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Hadera and was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.

Alon Skagio was a hero both in life and in death. May his memory be a blessing, eternally.