Yael Yekutiel, 20, was killed in a truck ramming attack along with three other soldiers on January 8,2017. The driver of a heavy truck saw a group of soldiers waiting at the Haas Promenade in Armon Hanetziv neighborhood, and accelerated into the group. He then attempted to reverse into the group a second time.
Yael, a resident of Givataim, served in the Education Corps of the IDF.
Her father Yaakov Yakutiel spoke movingly at her funeral about yearning for more time with his daughter. “You were so loved. Your wonderful smile, love of life, love of others and the fun we had with you. We didn’t have enough time with you.”
Her aunt, Malka Drori added that the family was struggling to cope with her killing. “She loved life, loved everybody and everybody loved her,” she said.
She is survived by her parents and a sister.