Mark Peretz

Mark Peretz went to save his daughter and was killed in the battle with the terrorists. When the rocket fire started on Saturday morning, Mark Peretz from Rishon Lezion didn't think twice. He rushed to save his daughter, Maya, from the Nova music festival.

While he was traveling, Maya managed to inform him that she had escaped from the Nova site in a car. She told her father that she would try to reach Rahat. While escaping, she sent him locations, and updated him on where she was and what her condition was after she was injured in the run. Maya walked towards Ofakim and found shelter for several hours in a police station, finally getting a ride home with a friend's father.

Mark shared his location with his family via his phone. Ultimately he made it to within 20 minutes of the police station where Maya hid. The family's last contact with Mark was at 8:48 a.m.; his daughter-in-law reported “We were on the phone with him and we heard gunshots, and don’t know exactly sure what happened,”

It took a few days until the family received confirmation that Mark had died whilst fighting Hamas terrorists. Peretz left behind a wife - Nirit, three children - Gilad, Tomer and Maya, mother - Giselle, and brothers - David and Yitzhak. His family tells of him as a devoted family man, a soldier of the land who loved to help and assist anyone who asked. Even in his last hours he fought bravely, and did not think for a moment about himself.