Eliyahu Margalit, 75, HY”D, left his home early on the morning of Oct. 7 to feed the horses in the stable of Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was murdered by Hamas terrorists and his body was taken to Gaza. His daughter, Nili, 40, was kidnapped that day and released on Nov. 30, 2023. Eliyahu’s body has not yet been released.

Margalit arrived at Nir Oz in 1969 and worked as a cattle breeder, overseeing the expansion of the kibbutz’s livestock operations from 50 calves a year to a peak of 5,500. Known as “Churchill,” Margalit loved animals and was the most prominent cattle breeder in the country.

He is survived by his wife, Daphna, children Noa, Danny and Nili, and three grandchildren.