‘Israel Has Lost One of Its Best Sons’: Hundreds Pay Last Respects to Lone Soldier From Kazakhstan

Jerusalem, 22 February, 2024 (TPS) -- Hundreds of Israelis gathered at the Rishon LeZion military cemetery to pay their final respects to Staff Sgt. Shimon Shlomov, a 20-year-old lone soldier from Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Shlomov, a member of the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, was killed in combat in southern Gaza on Sunday.

He immigrated from Kazakhstan on his own in 2021, making Shlomov a “lone soldier” — an immigrant or volunteer serving in the military with no family in Israel to support him. Shlomov’s family in Kazakhstan flew to Israel for the funeral.

“Your smile was your trademark. Your light and silly spirit made everyone love you. You, with your big heart. You always helped and always noticed the weak people around you. The sensitivity you had, together with your leadership ability, was a winning combination,” said Zohar, a friend from the Harel Preparatory School in Jerusalem.

“The first thing people saw in you was the broad smile, the light that came out of you, your big heart. In everything you could – you helped. The sensitivity, with the power of leadership, was a winning combination. You were always where you needed to be.” he said.

Shlomov’s former commander, Sagi Lavi, recalled the first time he met him.

“From the first moment I met you, a clean-shaven blond rookie, I noticed you. That’s how it is with lone soldiers. From your first day of enlistment, you immediately reached out to me. Every time, you have proven to me how strong you are, how much you care about everyone around you, and how much you invest in everything important to you.”

Lt. Col. Roy Mintz said, “The State of Israel has lost one of its best sons. Simon, you chose to immigrate to Israel at a young age and thus sealed your fate. You enlisted as a fighter in the paratroopers. You were an excellent fighter, sharp and calm. You believed in the defense of the people of Israel. Thank you for teaching us what a true mission is.”

Shlomov was living with roommates in Kiryat Bialik, a town near Haifa. The municipality quickly put out a call for people to accompany Shlomov on his final journey and arranged shuttles to the military cemetery. Among the dignitaries attending was Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer.

At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead.

Since the October 7 attacks, 576 soldiers have been killed in combat.