Heart-breaking: Grandma dies after seeing Grandson's heroics

Hedva Tsuk, the grandmother of Major Roy Chapel, commander of the Nahal Brigade’s elite reconnaissance "Orev" company who fell in battle on October 7, passed away Saturday afternoon after suffering a stroke. Tsuk, 83 years old, collapsed Friday night shortly after watching the televised investigative report covering the battle in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, where details about her late grandson were revealed. She was hospitalized but sadly succumbed to her condition.

Major Roy Chapel, aged 25, fought heroically in the southern Gaza envelope area on the day of the massacre. During the battles in Sufa, Nir Yitzhak, and Holit, he courageously engaged dozens of Hamas terrorists, leading his forces fearlessly. His actions directly saved the lives of many soldiers and civilians in the region. Chapel was later laid to rest at the military cemetery in Zichron Yaakov.

Although the Israeli military customarily presents investigative findings to families of fallen soldiers before public release, in this case, the army had not shared the Nir Yitzhak battle investigation with the Chapel family ahead of time. The IDF clarified that the report focused on broader events in the kibbutz and not specifically on Chapel’s engagement. Following this incident, the military pledged to refine its procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The IDF issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for the distress caused to the family and reaffirmed its commitment to handling bereaved families with the utmost sensitivity and transparency.

Roy Chapel’s fiancée, Yuval Zaushnitzer, recounted that the couple had planned to travel together to New Zealand and Australia after his discharge, which was scheduled for October 25. After his death, she discovered that he had secretly planned to propose to her during their trip.

Reflecting on the battle, Yuval described how Roy heroically fought against heavily armed terrorists, even destroying enemy vehicles under heavy fire. His quick thinking and leadership saved countless lives. In particular, residents of the Sufa and Nir Yitzhak communities, areas that suffered relatively fewer casualties compared to others, owe their safety in part to Roy’s bravery.