Magen David Adom mourns the loss of IDF soldier Sergeant First Class (Res.) Nadav Cohen. Cohen (21), an MDA volunteer, resident of Beit Hanan, and a soldier in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, fell on Thursday (February 6) during the collapse of an operational crane in the buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip
He is survived by his parents and two sisters. Nadav was laid to rest in the military section of the cemetery in his moshav, accompanied by family and his many friends.

Nadav began his journey as a youth volunteer in Rehovot in 2018. Over time, he successfully completed professional training in mass casualty event response and a youth instructor course, a role he fulfilled with great dedication—training and mentoring new youth volunteers.
After graduating high school, he worked as a first aid instructor at MDA until his enlistment in the IDF. Nadav’s father, Lt. Col. (Res.) Shai Cohen, served as the commander of MDA’s reserve unit (YATAM).

Tsion Boaron, Chairman of MDA Rehovot Branch:
“Nadav was the right person to help and save lives—he took every opportunity to do so during his time at MDA. He was always the first to take on any task, assist his friends, and he always did so with joy and a smile. When we renovated the station’s garden, he volunteered to use his agricultural experience from the moshav to contribute.
At 17, he trained intensively for his enlistment in a combat unit, waking up before dawn to run, and rushing to finish evening shifts so he could also train at night. He never gave up and was professional in everything he did in life. May his memory be blessed”.

MDA Paramedic Lihi Golan, his shift partner, paid tribute:
“We were in the youth instructor course together, and I remember Nadav as a person with a constant smile, even in the most difficult and complex situations. He was always dedicated to advancing youth in the organization, seeing it as a true mission. He treated senior staff, trainees, and patients with respect, humor, and professionalism—and did so with great love. This is a huge tragedy—we lost a dear friend and a beloved person”.

Eli Bin, MDA Director-General:
“Magen David Adom embraces the family of Nadav, who fell in Gaza while defending Israel. Nadav always sought ways to save lives and help those around him. I send my deepest condolences to his father, our friend Lt. Col. (Res.) Shai Cohen, who commanded MDA’s reserve unit, to his mother Osnat, and to his sisters Roni and Maya. May his memory be blessed”.