The Jordan Valley resident who was beaten to death outside his home on erev Shabbos 7 Cheshvan 5774 has been identified as retired IDF Colonel Sariya Ofer, 61, a former commander of the prestigious Sayeret Charuv unit. Sariya’s death brings an additional blow to the family for the victim’s brother, who was a pilot in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, was killed when his plane was shot down.

Known to his fellow officers as ‘Ya Ya HaKatan’, the victim was held in high regard by all those who knew him and worked with him. A former commander of both the Charuv and Shaked sayeret reconnaissance units, he earned the respect of all his peers.

Military officials on erev Shabbos arrested five Arabs believed connected to the violent beating death.

Family members mention that his later brother Yitzchak HY”D was shot down exactly 40 years ago to the day of the attack by the Syrians during the Yom Kippur War. His father was a Tel Aviv Police Chief and he was a nephew of prominent business tycoons Sami and Yuli Ofer.

Authorities investigating the fatal attack on Sunday, 9 Cheshvan cite they have not yet determined the fatal attack was terrorism. However, it is reported that a number of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents from the Hebron area have been arrested in connection to the fatal attack.

He was among the commanders overseeing the expulsion of the Jews from Yamit in 1982, and was placed in charge of the bunker in which the residents locked themselves inside. After leaving the army he encountered significant hardships for all his business ventures failed. He was forced to sell his home in Caesarea and he got divorced and moved to the Jordan Valley in 1998. He married a second time to Monik about three years ago.

Authorities report is was involved in several legal proceedings with the tax authorities at present as his business life was a shambles. Authorities continue to operate on the premise that the attack was terrorist in nature but have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal incident.

Monik remains admitted to HaEmek Hospital in Afula, reportedly in light-to-moderate condition.

The levaya will be held this evening, 9 Cheshvan at 17:00 in Kfar Vitkin.

UPDATE 15:01 IL: ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) officials report the PA (Palestinian Authority) residents taken into custody have admitted to murdering the victim. They add they were there two weeks ago to kill him, but it did not happen.

The information provided by the suspects concurs with the information given to investigators regarding the attack by the victim’s wife.

Authorities are still uncertain as to the motive for the attack, adding the attackers did not take the victim’s handgun.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)