IDF Observers' Legacy: 'Project Oz' Protects Jewish Communities Worldwide
Almost three years after the fall of 18 IDF surveillance soldiers at Nahal Oz, their legacy lives on through 'Project Oz.' The initiative establishes 18 control rooms globally to protect Jewish communities in their honor.
Until the last moment, they were the eyes of the State of Israel. The 16 surveillance soldiers and two field observers who were killed at the Nahal Oz outpost on the morning of October 7 dedicated their military service, and ultimately their lives, to detecting threats and protecting the country's citizens. Now, almost three years after their fall, their legacy continues far from Israel's borders.
As part of the "Project Oz" launched this week at a ceremony at the surveillance soldiers' hill in Nahal Oz, 18 control rooms will be established around the world to protect Jewish communities. Each of the control rooms will bear the name of one of the fallen soldiers and commemorate her story.
The initiator of the project is G., a senior security officer in the Jewish community in Munich, Germany. "Following the rising antisemitism in the world, we launched a first situation room this week in Munich to provide an organized response to cases of violence," explains G. "My main condition for establishing the project was that the operators of the system would be former Israeli surveillance soldiers and field observers, and that the force operating under the situation room would consist of Israelis."
Memory as part of the fabric of life
The first situation room in the project, established in Munich, is named after Corporal Noam Abramovitz (19). "This project is extraordinarily moving," says Adva Abramovitz, Noam's mother. "Not only were the surveillance soldiers not listened to in real-time, even though they were the eyes of the country, but since the disaster, the families have been forced to remain alone in the struggle. And then suddenly G. arrived and gave us a huge and supportive embrace."
"Being in the 'Noam Situation Room' in Munich is an amazing feeling. You feel that Noam's spirit really permeates the place. This connection keeps the essence of her values with us, and if thanks to this system even one life is saved – we are blessed. It is not just about hanging a sign on the wall, but about a real presence of Noam's spirit, which will pass from generation to generation."
Contributing the maximum
Noam Abramovitz was born and lived in Kibbutz Givat Brenner. "Beyond everything, she was exceptional in her many talents and dreams. She had a wonderful ability to hold onto life tightly, to love it, and always to see the other at eye level," says her mother. Noam aspired to be Prime Minister, believing that whoever leads the country should work for the public and serve it.
Upon finishing the 'Be'eri' pre-military academy, Noam was drafted into the IDF on July 30, 2023. She trained as a land collection controller. "Noam very much did not want to be a surveillance soldier, but two days after she started the course, she fell in love with the staff and the girls with her. She asked to reach the Southern Brigade, saying that there she would be most significant and could contribute the maximum to the sector."
On the morning of October 7, with the Hamas raid on the outpost, the surveillance soldiers gathered in the protected room. "Noam called to say goodbye to us and texted us 'Love you insanely, no matter what happens'," recalls Adva. Shortly after, she was killed. "When we told this to the teams in Munich, I felt that they understand the magnitude of the responsibility placed on their shoulders. The girls understand that if they do not act like Noam — with dedication, responsibility, and professionalism — the next disaster could happen. This is not a fairy tale."
