The entire country was on edge when the three youths were reported missing until the boy’s bodies were found 18 days later near Halhoul. The youths had hitchhiked with a car driven by haredim only to discover that the drivers were Hamas terrorists in disguise. The army operation to capture the terrorists led to Hamas launching a war in Gaza against Israel which shot missiles against the south and center of Israel.
During the Protective Edge campaign, as the Israeli response was called, the Gaza tunnels into Israel were discovered for the first time, enabling Israel to destroy these tunnels before terrorists could emerge to kill or kidnap more Israelis. The outcome of the three boys’ deaths were credited with saving many more other lives that might otherwise have gone lost.
Bat-galim Shaer, the mother, said, “There was no discussion on whether to defer the engagement until after the memorial ceremony for Gilad. It was obvious to us that when Shirael feels it’s right, that’s when it will happen. ”We were fortunate to get a groom from a lovely family and we wish the young couple everything good in the world.”
The president of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, was honored with the first wedding blessing. The chief IDF cantor, Shai Abramson, was also given a blessing. Education Minister Naftali Bennet also attended.