Personal Details
Rank
First Sergeant Major (Rav Nagad)
Unit
Yamam — Israel Police Counter-Terrorism Unit
Date of Birth
4.12.1980
Place of Birth
Ra'anana
Date of Fall
7.10.2023
Age at Fall
42
Place of Fall
at the entrance to Sderot
Parents
Chana and Shmuel (Sami)
Siblings
Adva, Ayal, Orit, Ofer, Tzvika
Spouse
Tal Efrat
Children
Noam (2013), Alon (2017), Uri (2020), Bar (2022)
Burial Site
Military Cemetery, Even Yehuda. Section 1, Row 1, Grave 16.
Childhood & Youth
Chen was born at Meir Hospital in the early morning of December 4, 1980. He attended Yachdav elementary school in Ra'anana. When he was in 7th grade, his family moved to Jerusalem for five years and he studied at Ziv high school. He loved nature, animals, and traveling.
Loved nature, the sea, and sports — football, running, surfing, weightlifting, snowboarding.
Military Service — Duvdevan
Chen enlisted in the IDF in March 1999 and joined the Duvdevan unit, where he served as a fighter in Team 70 during Operation Defensive Shield, and took part in numerous operations and missions to defend the country.
Academic Studies
After his military discharge, he traveled in the Far East and upon his return began studying for a Bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew University in Rehovot. During his studies, Chen worked in security at Ben Gurion Airport, in personal protection and delegations representing Israel. After completing his first degree, he began a Master's in Marine Biology at the University of Haifa, and during that time worked as an in-flight security guard.
Service in Yamam
After completing his Master's degree, Chen passed the selection process for Yamam. He began serving as a Yamam fighter in 2012 in various teams, and in his final position served as a sniper. He participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations.
The Fall — October 7, 2023
On the morning of October 7, 2023, at 6:30 AM, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Chen's team was deployed to Sderot. Upon arrival, they encountered terrorists in a truck and eliminated them, but an additional terrorist force opened heavy fire from ambush. Chen was wounded in his leg and abdomen but continued fighting to the last bullet, switched to his handgun, emptied all ammunition, and fell from his wounds.
Family
Chen and Tal met in 2006 when both worked at Ben Gurion Airport. They married in 2011 and built their home in Even Yehuda. In 2013 their firstborn daughter Noam was born, in 2017 their son Alon, in 2020 their son Uri, and in 2022 their youngest daughter Bar.
Chen's Team Commander
"Chen fought like a lion without fear and was a professional from the first moment to the last."
Tal, His Wife — 30-Day Eulogy
Tal, his wife, at the 30-day memorial: "You left Friday morning late for work because you let me sleep. You left healthy, energetic, after morning workout, coffee, after sleeping Thursday night with the children in the Sukkah. You left happy, slightly rushed. You left whole, fit, laughing that you're old but run like a twenty-year-old... Your commander said that when your team descended from the vehicle toward the terrorists, Chen was still in front, first to respond to those trying to harm us, exactly as you wanted. At that peak you apparently meant in that porch conversation, you retired. Forever."
Noam, His Daughter
Noam, his daughter: "Daddy, the best father in the world... These were the ten best years of my life, I love you so much and all the things we did together I will miss so much... Sometimes I forget what happened, like at the airport I thought why call a taxi, Dad can drive us... Everyone says you were a hero. I remember I was really excited you were in Yamam and loved being in the unit... So Daddy, I love you so much and I know you hear me now and are crying, so don't cry because I know you're watching over me all the way."
Adva, His Sister
Adva, his sister: "Chen, dear brother, brave fighter in the counter-terrorism unit, no words can describe the pain and sorrow of your departure from us. Beautiful brother, enormous soul, amazing father. I will miss you all my life and treasure you in my heart forever."
Nati, His Friend & Team Partner
Nati, his friend and team partner: "Chen was my partner in operations, trips, everything we did... He protected me in so many difficult complex operations, and I him. Beautiful stature with an eternal smile, loaded with good values and great humor... An extraordinary person with presence... You were Team 70's living spirit, that everyone wanted to be near, our rooster... You were first in everything. First in running, first in shooting, first to offer help... And on Saturday, you were among the first saving civilian lives with other Yamam fighters."
A Friend's Words
"Chen, Nachmias, Nachtza, Bytzos... So many names for an angel! And now our guardian angel... Dear brother! I've been looking at your photo for days, the one with the good eyes and sly smile, and simply breaking down! I was privileged to be beside you and call you friend for almost forty years... We went through so much together... You are the person with the widest heart I know and I admire you!"
MK Chili Tropper — Served with Chen in Duvdevan
MK Chili Tropper: "Chen served with me in the red platoon in the Duvdevan unit... I remember him as a brave, valued young man, full of sweetness and strength. Not surprising he was in the first force fighting terrorists entering Israel and fell defending the homeland."
Commemoration
The Nachtza Association (Soul, Animals, Color of Life) was established in his memory to help post-traumatic fighters and protect animals. "Chen Point" — a dog sanctuary in Ein Gedi for abandoned dogs from the south and north. A memorial running event is held in Even Yehuda on his birthday.
Connection to Lord of the Land
Chen loved this land — the nature, the sea, the people. He defended it until his last moment. Lord of the Land was built from that same love — to know every cherished plot, to understand every designation, to know what lies beneath our feet. This knowledge is a form of protection. We are residents of Even Yehuda, neighbors of the Nachmias family, and deeply honor Chen's sacrifice for the people of Israel. This memorial page was created in memory of First Sergeant Major Chen Nachmias ז"ל, in cooperation with his family, as part of the Next October initiative — connecting remembrance to digital commemoration.
