Sgt. 1st Class (res.) Andu’alem Kabeda

• In this blog, Daniel Waxman, will seek to provide a more complete picture of each of the brave IDF soldiers who have fallen in the battle with Hamas since October 7. Daniel will draw on statements of what others say about them and other available information. Daniel Waxman feels these beautiful souls who have sacrificed their lives for the Jewish people need to be much more than a name and a number.

Sgt. 1st Class (res.) Andu’alem Kabeda, 21, of Kiryat Gat, a fighter in 603rd (Laha/Blade) Combat Engineering Battalion, 7th Armored Brigade, fell in combat in the southern Gaza on January 13.

He was the oldest son of Yosef and Talnash. He has two younger brothers.

His mother named him Andu’alem because it means “One world.” He was known as Ando. He was born in a village in Ethiopia. When he was three, he immigrated to Israel with his mother. His mother lamented that she lost a son, friend and partner. “We grew up together,” she said sadly.

He was the center of his family’s world. He was humble, talented and funny. His friends commented: “Nothing could hurt him…we did not need another tzaddik (righteous person). In our eyes he was righteous and we asked him to bless us.”

Kabeda went to the religious Mikve Israel Rambam high school. The high school’s vice principal said: “Every mother would have wanted a son like him; quiet and humble and kind. He was always respectful. He hastily recruited to combat military service, and didn’t ask for any concessions, even though he could have.”

He had finished his regular service but continued to fight as a reserve with the outbreak of the war. He was set to be released in a few days.

• In this blog, Daniel Waxman, will seek to provide a more complete picture of each of the brave IDF soldiers who have fallen in the battle with Hamas since October 7. Daniel will draw on statements of what others say about them and other available information. Daniel Waxman feels these beautiful souls who have sacrificed their lives for the Jewish people need to be much more than a name and a number.