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Daughter of Ilanit and Yigal
Sister of Elad (30 years old), Moshe (Moshiko, 28 years old) and Omer (25 years old).
The granddaughter of the late Moshe and Gracia Hajaj, and the late Amos Cohen and Sarina
Hadar was born in Zeitan (near Lod) – her parents youngest daughter, and sister of three boys. The family lived on her grandparents’ farm (the late Moshe and Graccia).
Hadar was a smart, cheerful girl who was loved by everyone. She attended Nir Tzvi Elementary School, Psagot Junior High and Mekif Yahud High School.
Hadar became a Girl Scout in fourth grade, first with the “Nir Tribe” and then the “Meso’ot Tribe” in Yahud. She served as a Girl Scouts instructor (fourth graders) and taught and oversaw various courses.
Hadar had a boyfriend – Omri Nasi, a Nachal soldier. The two had been together for two years and were deeply in love with each other.
Hadar joined the IDF on April 17, 2023. After boot camp, she enrolled in a Surveillance Course, which she officially completed on Yom Kippur. After her training, she was allowed to independently serve in her position and was assigned to Nachal Oz Base. She had managed to serve on her base for two months and a half before the October 7 attack.
In an interview on Channel 11, Hadar’s father (Yigal Cohen) told Keren Neubach about Hadar’s final hours:
At 6:30 AM (after the sirens began), Adar’s father called Hadar to ask her how she was doing. She told him that she was facing a “chaotic situation” on her base, and the call was disconnected. She later sent a text to her father saying that everything was fine. She had found shelter on her base. At her father’s request that she stay safe, Hadar said that she was doing the best she could to keep herself safe. She then told him to calm down and asked him not to worry. She had been texting her mother at the same time. In the messages Hadar send to her boyfriend, she expressed her fears and worries. Her boyfriend reassured her and said that IDF forces would arrive to rescue the Outpost’s soldiers.
Hadar stayed in that protected space with other soldiers. The soldiers with the “Rochev Shamayim” Unit were armed, and they defended everyone who was there. One of the terrorists threw a grenade into the shelter and went inside, after which an armed soldier neutralized him. However, the terrorists were determined. Most of the soldiers inside the shelter were killed after one of the terrorists managed to get inside with an AK-47. At the same time, the terrorists threw additional grenades into the shelter. This attack led to Hadar’s death.
Yael Rotenberg, A good friend of Hadar who was with her inside the shelter, was injured in the attack, but she survived. She said that Hadar exhibited outstanding courage and bravery during her stay inside the shelter. She gathered up her scared soldiers, asked them to sit with her, placed her hand on their shoulders, and conveyed reassuring messages so that they wouldn’t worry. She died trying to reassure her friends.
Hadar’s fate was initially not known, and her family was originally told that she had been kidnapped. It was only two days later that the news about her death came out.
Hadar’s gravestone includes a verse from the Book of Proverbs (30:25): “Strength and honor [Hadar] are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” Her father says that this verse, which describes the Jewish concept of the “ideal woman” (eshet khayil), was a perfect description of Hadar, who was a person of joy and light until her last day.
Hadar’s friends and pupils from the Girl Scouts said that she had a way to identify socially or otherwise challenged children. She took care of them and encouraged them to be more involved.
After her daughter’s death, her family found a personal letter that she wrote herself on a piece of paper. She wrote that the letter was intended to be read in difficult times, or whenever she was far away from home and needed it. In this letter, she reminded herself of her personal strengths, told herself to smile, to rise to the challenges she faced, and to stay optimistic. This is a moving and touching letter that speaks to Hadar’s personal strength, emotional intelligence, and mental fortitude.
This is what she wrote:
1/6/23
Smile!!!
Proud of myself
Hadar - please read this only when things get rough!
It might seem now that nothing’s right, that everything is complicated, and that nothing is fun... You know none of that is true, but you still feel completely unmotivated, and all you want to do is go home. First of all, home will be there in a heartbeat, and here’s a few reminders:
- Never compare yourself to anyone else. Never second guess yourself. Don’t forget your values, your wisdom, your knowledge, where you’re from and what you know about yourself.
- You’ll make it – and if not now, then tomorrow.
- Don’t rule out things that you might regret. It’s now or never. Live life to the fullest. You can do this!!!
- Show them what you got, stay confident and never discourage your friends.
- Talk to your people. It’ll help you.
- Breathe. Don’t blow this out of proportion. It’s no big deal.
Good luck with everything. I believe in myself.
:)
Hadar loved Israeli music, and particularly the songs performed by Yasmin Mualem. “It’s Gonna Be Okay” by Yasmin Mualem was Hadar’s favorite song. When the song came out, Hadar was attending a Surveillance Analysts Course, and she made sure that everyone in class would get to knew it. She played it every time she could, and that’s how her friends remember her: singing that song and other uplifting songs by Yasmin Mualem. Upon completing the course, Hadar said that she was empowered by the song’s lyrics because it helped her put things in perspective.
Hadar had a dog by the name of “Puppy,” which she received on her sixth birthday. She took care of Puppy with the utmost dedication, and loved her with all her heart. Ever since Hadar’s death, Puppy has been walking around the house, looking for her.
Hadar loved Italian food and sushi. She loved her mother’s cooking, and particularly her couscous. On her day-to-day, she actually enjoyed simple food, such as vegetable salad and cottage cheese.
On October 22, 2023, Hadar’s mother published a Facebook post that included Hadar’s picture in uniform, carrying a backpack and a big smile. In that post, Ilanit wrote, “This is my daughter, Hadar Miriam Cohen, may her memory be a blessing, of Moshav Zeitan. She fell in the Battle of Nachal Oz. She is a hero. As terrorists infiltrated her base, and as her friends were calling their parents to say goodbye, she did everything she could to reassure people and spread words of encouragement. That’s what she deemed most important in those moments. Please shares this so that the whole world would remember my hero."
Keren, Hadar’s friend, wrote a post in her memory:
“I keep hearing your favorite song, “It’s Gonna Be Okay.” Honestly, Hadari? I find it hard to believe that it’s going to be okay without you. I’ll wait for you, sister. I’ll wait for you to come back and for us to sing our songs loudly in the car, I’ll wait to celebrate our birthdays together, to organize trips, and sunbathe, and drink hot chocolate in wintertime, and for us to sit together and ask each other questions about things even though we both know what the other will say. I will continue doing everything you wanted to do, Hadari. I promise you, the whole world will know your name. You are the purest and most beautiful person I’ve ever known. You were truly a precious flower and a soul that this world never deserved. You’re too good, Hadar. I always told you how much I admire you and your ability to do excel at everything you do. I always told you how much I cherish the infinite joy and delight you spread wherever you go. Your smile could conquer the world, and your laughter was irresistible. I will continue to admire you for as long as I live. I miss you, sister. Thank you for every moment you gave me. I couldn’t be more proud to have had that privilege. I’ll be waiting for you, Hadari. I love you. May her memory be a blessing.
An article published in Ynet on January 2024 discussed the issue of creating art in wartime and channeling art to commemorate fallen soldiers and victims of the Iron Source War. The article showed a statue of Hadar that was made by Yehudai Maimon using a photograph of her face. The statue is made of clay and iron’s wire, on a wooden plinth. An image of the statue can be found here.
A case of wine bottles is now available in memory of Hadar’s bravery. The bottles include Hadar’s image and the following words:
“Together, our love shines through.”
Hadar personified this sentence with her smile and contagious laugh, a laugh that comes from within, and that shows everyone how everything is really okay. This was a testament to her love.
Girl Scout Team Leader and wonderful daughter, she strove to excel at every moment of her life, and to see only the good in everything.
Hadar joined the IDF to serve as a surveillance analyst at Nachal Oz, and died in the morning of October 7.
A joyous, beloved, capable and cheerful young girl, who made a powerful impact on everyone around her.
We will always remember you and follow in your footsteps.
“The flowers will bloom again – You’ll see.
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