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Yeshayahu Gavish, the last living senior commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the historic Six Day War in 1967, passed away on Thursday at his home in Ramat Hasharon.
He was 99 years old. His death marks the end of an era for a military figure who played a pivotal role in one of the most significant conflicts in Israeli history.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Gavish, affectionately known as “Shaike,” is survived by two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
As the head of the Southern Command during the Six Day War, Gavish was a key figure in the Battle of Umm-Qatef, which occurred on June 5-6, 1967.
This battle was crucial in Israel’s successful conquest of the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and is considered one of the largest in Israeli military history.
The Six Day War saw a rapid series of military engagements that transformed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. On the third day of the conflict, the IDF completed its conquest of Jerusalem from Jordan.
This culminated in a historic declaration by Paratroopers Brigade chief Mota Gur, who famously announced, “The Temple Mount is in our hands,” a reference to the revered site of the ancient Jewish temples in the Old City of Jerusalem.
In his 2016 memoir, Gavish reflected on the emotional weight of that moment, noting that tears rolled down his face as he listened to Gur’s announcement.
However, he also expressed that others “stole the show” during this critical moment, highlighting the complexity of emotions felt by military leaders in times of national crisis.
Gavish often emphasized the significance of the Egyptian front, which he regarded as Israel’s most dangerous during the war. He noted that it witnessed some of the largest-scale combat of the 20th century.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that in the nation’s collective memory, the liberation of the Old City would remain the most enduring memory of the conflict.
After retiring from active duty in 1970, Gavish had hoped to become chief of staff but was passed over for the position.
He returned to the Sinai Peninsula as a reservist during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where he commanded the Shlomo Command in the south of the region, showcasing his enduring commitment to Israel’s security.
Gavish’s military career began in the Palmach, the pre-state military force of the IDF, where he joined at the age of 18 in 1943.
He played an instrumental role in various operations to smuggle Jews into Palestine, defying the British Mandate’s restrictions on immigration, which had resulted in the tragic deaths of many during the Holocaust.
During his time in the Palmach, Gavish participated in key operations against British authorities, including the notorious “Night of the Railroads” and the “Night of the Bridges,” which were acts of sabotage aimed at disrupting British control in the region.
His leadership during Israel’s War of Independence from 1947 to 1949 further solidified his military legacy.
As a commander in the Yiftach Brigade, he led forces in Operation Dani, which resulted in the expulsion of tens of thousands of Palestinians from central Israel, including the cities of Lod and Ramleh.
In later years, Gavish served as CEO of Koor Metals until his retirement. Throughout his life, he maintained a strong connection to his military past, often reflecting on his contemporaries who had also shaped Israel’s military history.
In an interview with Haaretz, he expressed sorrow over the passing of his fellow commanders, saying, “Prime Minister Levi Eshkol is gone; Defense Minister Moshe Dayan is gone; IDF Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin is gone. I remain alone. It saddens me. That generation is no more.”
Gavish’s death not only signifies the loss of a key military figure but also the passing of a generation that witnessed and shaped the course of Israeli history.
His legacy, intertwined with the fabric of Israel’s military narrative, will be remembered by those who knew him and those who study the history of the IDF and the nation.
As tributes pour in from across the country, Yeshayahu Gavish will be remembered not only for his military achievements but also for his contributions to Israel’s narrative, embodying the complex history of a nation defined by conflict and resilience.