Baruch Dayan HaEmet
The Day He was Supposed to be Discharged from the Army: IDF Lone Soldier Ari Goldberg Discovered Lifeless
'Being found lifeless' is often just another way of explaining that the soldier unfortunately took his own life, without saying it in those words.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday morning that a soldier was found dead in southern Israel on Wednesday evening, prompting an investigation by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID). The death brings Israel's military fatalities in 2025 to 152.
The fallen soldier has been named as Ari Goldberg (23), a lone soldier from Virginia, USA, who was found dead in his home, the very day he was scheduled to complete his military service. The Military Police
Ari, son of Hava and Adam from Virginia, arrived in Israel in 2022 after high school to study at the Ruach HaNegev pre-military academy in Retamim. After a year, he made the decision to formally immigrate to Israel and enlist in the IDF as a lone soldier.
He chose to live in Dimona, a city he loved more than anywhere else, and enlisted in the Combat Engineering Corps as a fighter. During his service, war broke out and Ari fought in both Lebanon and Gaza, serving as a distinguished marksman.Ari developed a deep connection to Dimona and its warm, embracing community. He was a regular guest at families' Shabbat meals, always bringing a special dish or dessert he had prepared. Friends describe him as someone who loved the Negev and the desert landscape.
Those who knew him say Ari was overjoyed at the privilege of being a combat soldier and fighting for the people and land of Israel. He was known as a happy, smiling young man, funny, energetic, and always ready to help anyone in need. "Ari will be remembered in our hearts as a fighter who gave his soul to immigrate to Israel and fight for it," said community members mourning his loss.
The IDF stated: "Following the incident, an investigation has been opened by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division."
According to an official IDF spokesperson statement: "We wish to update that the casualty count for 2025 has risen to 152 following the tragic death of an IDF soldier who was found without signs of life yesterday (Wednesday) in southern Israel. An investigation has been opened by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division, and upon its completion, findings will be submitted for review by the Military Advocate General."
The military provided additional context on cases under investigation: "22 cases are currently under investigation or have been previously investigated on suspicion of suicide: 12 mandatory service soldiers, 1 career soldier, and 9 reserve soldiers."
The statement also addressed a classification update: "Staff Sergeant Yosef Chaim Tzvi Serlin, of blessed memory, a fighter in training in Unit 504 who was killed in a training accident, will be counted among training accident fatalities and not under the count of those who died from illness. Therefore, the count of those who died from illness stands at 14, and the count of fatalities in training accidents stands at 1."
The IDF concluded its statement expressing condolences: "The IDF shares in the grief of the bereaved families and will continue to accompany them."
Ari's funeral will take place on Friday.
May his memory be a blessing.