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'He really is the best' | Friends and family heartbroken by Rockville man's death in missile attack in Israel

First Sgt. (Res.) Omer Balva, 22 – who has resided in both Herzliya, Israel and Rockville, Maryland – was killed in northern Israel.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Growing up in Rockville, Omer Balva and Ethan Missner were best friends. The duo studied at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and were inseparable. 

"We had a real bromance," Missner said with a bittersweet smile.

And just one week ago, the duo were together yet again, at the Potomac home of Missner's parents. Balva, who moved to Israel after graduation, was visiting his friend on vacation. That's when reserves were called, and Balva had to make his return to Israel. 

Just six days after saying goodbye to his friend, Balva was dead, as a result of an anti-tank missile fire. His death has left Balva's friends and family heartbroken.

"Omer truly was the most genuine - the sweetest person I will ever know," said Missner. "It didn't matter who you were, he always laughed with you and he always had a smile on his face. And really brightened every room he walked into." 

Credit: Ethan Missner
Ethan Missner (Right) reflects on the loss of his best friend Omer Balva (Left), who died while serving in the IDF.

Missner, who jumped between tears and nostalgic sighs, spoke with WUSA9 about his friend. In his hands, he held a letter, penned by his friend four years ago, when he first announced he was going to leave the comforts of Montgomery County to join the Israel military. 

"I want you to know that every time I’m sad," the letter reads. "I go to this one thought of me and you at the age of 24 or 25 with our families on vacation, the thought of us with wives and children we love and are able to support always brings a smile to my face. Love you more than anything - whenever you need me and I am on a mission just read this letter. Love you dude and remember we are only a few years away from our dream." 

That dream of a wife and kids - will now never come true. The 22-year-old, a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces was killed, as a result of a missile attack in Israel, IDF confirmed to WUSA9.  Balva was killed "during operational activity in northern Israel as a result of anti-tank missile fire," the IDF said.

Credit: WUSA9
Ethan Missner, holding the letter from his best friend, Omer Balva, who died fighting in Israel.

In Rockville, Balva graduated from the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in 2019. Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, the head of the school shared the following statement:

"The entire Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School community, including alumni, students, faculty and staff, is completely devastated and heartbroken to learn of the killing of Omer Balva ’19, who was proudly serving in the Israeli Defense Forces having been recently called up for reserve duty. Omer was a beloved student who attended our school from age seven through to his high school graduation. He was an unabashed advocate for the State of Israe. He is a hero to the State of Israel, the Jewish people, and the school. We mourn his loss.”   

Balva is survived by his parents, three siblings, and a longtime girlfriend, who he planned to marry. Missner said that his friend's legacy will live on through those that loved him.  

"I feel very intensely that his light lives within me and everyone he encountered, Missner said. "His family and his friends. And because of that, he’ll continue to live on. He really was the best." 

Credit: Ethan Missner
Omer Balva, wearing his IDF uniform

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