Tamar Ariel, 25, a navigator in the Israel Air Force, has been listed among the three Israelis killed in a massive snow avalanche in Nepal. Also killed in the avalanche were 23-year-old Agam Luria from Yifat. A third person has yet to be recovered. Officials cleared her name for release on Simchas Torah.

Captain Tamar Ariel, from Moshav Masuot Yitzchak, became the first religious woman to complete the rigorous course in the history of the IDF. She was the daughter of Anat and Chanan, the third of six children. She served in Sheirut Leumi for two years and then felt compelled to serve above and beyond the call of duty and entered the air force.

Family members report that Tamar flew to Nepal before Rosh Hashanah and was scheduled to return on Tuesday, 27 Tishrei. Her parents last spoke with her on motzei Yom Kippur. Foreign Ministry and IDF officials are involved in efforts to return the bodies for kvura.

A Magen David Adom team including a doctor and a paramedic is expected to leave for Nepal tonight to assist rescue and recovery efforts. The delegation is working with Foreign Ministry officials.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem – Published Motzei Simchas Torah)