(11 May 2005)
1. Hundreds of mourners gathered at the military section of Gush Katif cemetery
2. Torch burning during Memorial day ceremony
3. Soldier crying
4. Mourners putting stones on grave of Elkana Gubi
5. Elkana's grave
6. Mourners sitting near Elkana's grave
7. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Miri Gubi, Elkana's Mother:
"They asked us on the same evening, that terrible evening where we would like to bury him, and it took us exactly one minute to understand that Elkana has left us a will that he will stay here forever. This is why we buried him here. He really loved it here, he was very attached to this place. This is why when you ask us how we feel, we feel very hurt, because this will not happen (transferring the bodies from the cemetery), it is clear and certain that it will not happen, but the actual talking about it desecrates the holiness of these young men, of the people who gave their lives for the people of Israel, this is what hurts us, this is what makes it all so difficult for us."
8. Miri Gubi holding an entry of Elkana's diary, the writing says "Is the order contradicting the moral principals upon which we were educated, an illegal order must not be executed!!!"
9. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Moshe Ne'eman, High school friend of Elkana:
"Personally I cannot even hear of these things (referring to transfer of bodies of the Gush Katif cemetery), not even in my darkest dreams, I cannot imagine what it could be, I also believe that it will not happen. Elkana's legacy of determination of bravery will accompany us, and maybe someday the leaders will understand this is not something that can be done."
10. Moshe and another high school friend standing at Elkana's grave
11. Moshe and friend hugging at grave
12. Mourners gathering around Elkana's grave
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Israeli mourners gathered on Wednesday at a cemetery in the Gaza Strip for what could be their last memorial service there, to remember a young Israeli soldier who died in a "friendly fire" incident, three years ago.
The imminent pullout by the Israeli government from the Gaza strip means they may have to relocate the body of Elkana Gubi - a deeply upsetting prospect for his family .
Of all the difficulties the Israeli government faces in removing the 8,500 settlers from their homes in Gaza, the planned relocation of the Gush Katif cemetery remains one of the most emotive and fragile issues, threatening to re-ignite relatives' grief and generate the sympathy even of Israelis who strongly support the pullout.
Miri Gubi is still mourning for her son, Elkana and she says the thought of having to move his body appalls her.
As well as creating a shrine to him on her windowsill, she has just published a prayer book for the recent Passover holiday in his memory and is so consumed with grief that she only rarely summons the energy to visit his grave.
In March 2002, 21-year-old Elkana Gubi was driving along the road out of Gush Katif to head back to his army base after the Sabbath, when an army jeep in front of him came under fire from a nearby Palestinian house.
Elkana Gubi and one of his brothers grabbed their rifles and ran to the spot where the shots originated, but found nothing.
The army jeep returned to the scene and, mistaking the brothers for the shooters, gave chase and ran him over. He died on at the scene.
The army gave him a post-humous award for bravery in chasing the shooters.
Officials say the cemetery relocation will be carried out in close consultation with the families.
The latest funeral took place at the end of April.
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