Benaya Lookout

Shalom and welcome to the Benaya Lookout. The site carries the name of Major Benaya Rhein who fell in the Second Lebanon War in August 2006.
At a height of 740 meters above sea level, a splendid view of the Northern part of the country spreads before us. Below lays the northern part of the Hula valley. Beyond the valley to the east rises the Golan Heights with Mount Hermon to the north. The Hermon’s highest peak stands at 2814 meters above sea level. Its peak is covered in snow most of the year. We are standing on the western side of the valley bordered by the Ramim ridge. The Hula valley is part of the Syrian-African rift that stretches along 6000 kilometers from Turkey in the north down to Africa in the south. The rift was formed some 25 million years ago, and it is still expanding in a rate of one centimeter per year.
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The community behind us is Kibbutz Misgav Am, established in 1945. The Kibbutz suffered many difficulties throughout the years in terms of economy, security and social aspects. Today the kibbutz is in a process of absorption and expansion. Its economy today is based on agriculture, industry and tourism.
During recent history, the Hula Valley played a significant role in some meaningful events for the region and for the Zionist movement.
At the beginning of the 20th century, four Jewish communities were settled in the region to insure that this area would be included within the borders of a future Jewish state. A courageous battle defending these communities in 1921, led to the fall of its leader Yosef Trumpeldor and seven of his comrades.
After the First World War in 1918, a border was established here between the French and the British Mandate that later became the border between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
This border has not been a quiet one over the years. In 1970, the Palestinians who fled from Jordan and sought refuge in Southern Lebanon created large terror bases that were used to attack Israel. Continual terror activities by the Palestinians led to a full-scale war in 1982, during which time, the Israeli army occupied large areas in Lebanon. Israel withdrew completely from Lebanon in the year 2000, but peace did not come to the region.
For six years the Hizboullah terror organization strengthened its hold in Southern Lebanon. In July 2006, following the kidnapping of 2 Israeli soldiers on the border the Second Lebanon War began. For 33 days Israel attacked terror targets in Southern Lebanon, while the Hizboullah launched thousands of rockets against civilian targets within Israel. After a ceasefire was signed, Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon once again.
From this very spot, Major Benaya Rhein and his tank force launched their last mission, from which they did not return.
Benaya was born in 1979 and was the third out of eight children of his parents, Shimon and Chagit. He was raised in Karnei Shomron and studied in religious Yeshiva academies both in Jerusalem and in Neve Dekalim.
From his childhood, he displayed values of truth, generosity and courage. It was quite natural for him to join the armored corps and to become an outstanding soldier in the courses he took and in the duties he was given.
At the beginning of the war, Benaya was in transition between duties and had no unit to join. Nevertheless he insisted on receiving a mission, and was appointed to rescue and supply operations. During the war his force conducted many courageous missions and saved the lives of many soldiers. On August 12th, on the way to one more mission inside Lebanon, a missile hit his tank and all the crewmen were killed.
For their bravery, Benaya and his crewmen received the decoration of honor from the Central Command.
Benaya is buried in Karnei Shomron in the land of Israel that he loved without condition or compromise.
Thank you for your attention.