Ofer Moskowitz was killed Sunday morning by Hezbollah fire from Lebanon. Just two days earlier, on Friday, he had given an interview to Radio Haifa describing the harsh reality of living near the border fence.
In his remarks, he explained that his home was located just 100 meters from the fence, and that he had virtually no time to react to threats. “I hear the blast and only then the siren,” he said, adding that the feeling was one of constant uncertainty: “It’s like Russian roulette—no one knows who’s next.”
In another interview with Channel 15, he said: “They want to kill us, and we need to know how to defend ourselves. The State of Israel needs to protect us. We’re on the hilltop up there, you understand? So we hope they won’t challenge us from all the places they could, because they can. But there are places where it’s much easier—Manara, for example.
“My land is 100 meters from the fence down in the valley, and I’m completely exposed to anti-tank fire. There are two villages facing me, and every time I open my eyes I say to myself: will they shoot—won’t they shoot. Yesterday it was at an IDF vehicle, an IDF asset—that was an escalation, not civilian, I’m saying. Okay, it was something army versus army, which is terrorists versus army. They haven’t fired at the communities against civilians yet—for now, I’m saying for now.”
Moskowitz (Pushko), a resident of Kibbutz Misgav Am, was killed this morning after an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah terrorists struck the northern area. The hit was direct—and he was killed on the spot.
The Misgav Am community said after the killing: “The Misgav Am community bows its head and grieves the loss of Ofer Moskowitz (Pushko), a member of Misgav Am. Pushko. Spokesman, farmer, friend, symbol and legacy for all of us. Throughout the years he was the prominent voice for all of us. We send heartfelt condolences and a strong embrace to his family and to the entire Misgav Am community. The Galilee will never look the same without him. May his memory be a blessing.”