On the morning of Saturday, Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, Roey and his command team — Tomer Yaakov Mizrahi (the radio operator, killed in action) and Roni Izayagov (the combat driver) — were on a “Dawn Readiness” patrol outside the Sufa outpost.

At 06:31, a combined attack of rockets on Israel and mortar shells on the Gaza border communities began.

 

Roey ordered the patrol vehicle back toward the Sufa outpost while speaking on the radio, reporting the infiltration of dozens of terrorists. At the same time, he called one of the team commanders in the outpost to update him on the infiltration and to order the few soldiers present to gear up and take defensive positions.

 

During the drive along the local road, Roey and the command team evaded rockets. When they realized they were surrounded, Roey issued orders to the soldiers in the Sufa outpost, to the mortar crews, to the tank attached to his sector, to the observers, and to the operations room. Roey reported over the radio that war had broken out. Together with the radio operator, he alternated between engaging in firefights and reporting to various outposts and nearby residents. The driver carried out Roey’s instructions, taking side roads to avoid rockets and crossfire. Roey also directed armored vehicles toward the community of Holit, though they ultimately could not reach it. Meanwhile, he scanned the road for infiltration points and reported them to both military and civilian authorities.

 

Throughout this stage, Roey and Tomer fought under fire while on the move. At times they exited the vehicle — Tomer opened fire at the terrorists, covering Roey as he launched anti-tank missiles at pickup trucks loaded with terrorists and mortar teams.

 

Around 07:00, the battalion radio reported that a small group of soldiers was entrenched in a reinforced shelter inside the Dan-Gur monument near the Sufa outpost. The force was engaged during the rocket fire and needed assistance. Roey requested to flank the monument from the rear to provide support to the besieged soldiers, who were under attack by dozens of terrorists. At that moment, their vehicle was hit by an RPG. The command team exited the vehicle and continued fighting against terrorists charging toward them. Tomer sustained severe blast injuries from the RPG but managed, with his last strength, to exit the vehicle. Roey was hit by sniper fire in the back, told Roni “I’ve been hit,” and fell.

 

Roni tried to reach Roey but was struck in the leg by a burst of gunfire. Tomer covered Roni and helped him apply a tourniquet to his leg. Together, they dragged Roey next to a bush. Tomer collapsed beside him. Roni was left alone under fire and, using his mobile phone, called for assistance, which arrived about fifteen minutes later. The rescue team evacuated Roey and Tomer to the shelter in the Dan-Gur monument — the very position Roey had been trying to reach to save them. About seven hours later, a special forces “Orev” unit arrived to evacuate the soldiers.

 

Roey and Tomer were killed in action. Roni lost his leg but survived. From the force in the monument, team commander Eyal Klein and soldier Daniel Bizgadev were also killed.

 

Major Roey Chapel, 25 years old at the time of his death, was the company commander for the Sufa, Nir Yitzhak, and Holit sector. He sought contact with the enemy, charged, and fought bravely alongside his command team against dozens of terrorists. His actions saved the lives of many soldiers and civilians.

 

May his memory be a blessing.