Released for Publication: IDF Reservist Oria Seroussi Gives His Life to Rescue His Drowning Boy

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the community of Har Bracha and the entire nation as Oria Seroussi, a 48 year old reserve soldier and father of eight, died while saving his son from drowning in the Jordan River. The incident occurred during a family trip to the north near the Arik Bridge. When his ten year old son was suddenly swept away by a powerful and treacherous current, Oria did not hesitate for a second, leaping into the water to reach the boy. While he was successful in pushing his son to safety, the strength of the river proved too much for the father, who was swept away and lost to the current.

A Life Defined by Service

Oria Seroussi was a man known for his deep commitment to the land and his people. He had volunteered for reserve duty during the current war, using his expertise to develop technological solutions to protect his fellow soldiers on the battlefield. Friends and neighbors described him as a "man of kindness and settlement," someone who was always the first to step forward when a need arose. Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Council, praised Oria as a "warrior in his soul," stating that his final act of courage, jumping into the river without a second thought for his own life, was the ultimate testament to his character and his sense of responsibility.

The rescue operation to find Oria involved dozens of divers, rescue units, and emergency teams who searched the river for hours. He was eventually located unconscious several hundred yards from where he first entered the water and was pronounced dead at the scene. The community of Har Bracha is currently being supported by professional teams as they process the loss of a pillar of their settlement. Oria is survived by his wife, Tehila, and their eight children, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and bravery that his family and community will never forget.