The Story of Lt. Col. Mahmoud Kheir El-Din

On May 15, 2022, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit released the name and photograph of IDF officer Lt. Col. Mahmoud Kheir El-Din, who fell during operational activity in the Gaza Strip at age 41. The late Mahmoud was a Druze leader, husband to Nahed and the father of two sons.

Lt. Col. Mahmoud Khir Al-Din served as an officer, combat soldier and commander in the Special Operations Division of the Intelligence Directorate. He fell during a special operation in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, November 11, 2018. 

Mahmoud was born on December 28, 1977 in the town of Hurfeish in the northern Galilee. He was the oldest son of Ahmad and Nazira and had seven brothers and sisters. Mahmoud, a member of Israel's Druze community, grew up in a traditional family that raised him to emphasize the importance of others and human dignity. 

Throughout his life, Mahmoud was a well-respected leader by those around him. He attended school in Hurfeish until 9th grade, when he moved to the military boarding school at the Hebrew Reali School of Haifa. During these years, Mahmoud received commendation for being an outstanding student. 

In October, 1997, Mahmoud enlisted in the Special Reconnaisance Unit of the Paratrooper’s Brigade. He graduated from the IDF Ground Forces Officer Course at the IDF Instructional Base 1 in 2000 and began serving there as a platoon commander. Two years later, Mahmoud began serving in the Special Operations Division of the Intelligence Directorate. 

During his IDF service, Mahmoud completed a bachelor’s degree in Law at the College of Management as well as a master’s degree in Education and Business Administration from the University of Haifa. 

In 2002, Mahmoud met his wife, Nahed. The two were married in 2004. The couple's first son was born in 2009, the same year in which Mahmoud established an organization which works to promote the status of the Druze community in Israel.

In 2010, Mahmoud connected with the “Aharai” mentorship organization, where he began working with a group in the town of Hurfeish. He had worked to ensure the organization operated in Druze towns in order to encourage the community's youth to enlist in meaningful military service. 

In 2013, the El-Din’s had their second son. Between the years of 2015-2018, Mahmoud conducted tryouts of candidates for the military boarding school at the Hebrew Reali School of Haifa with the goal of reducing the language barrier for Druze candidates to the school. Mahmoud also served as a general advisor for the Druze youth. 

Mahmoud loved to travel both within Israel and abroad. His last trip with his family happened three months before he fell.

After his death, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, awarded the late officer with a special commendation for his activities in this operation. Lt. Col. Mahmoud Khir El-Din demonstrated a high level of responsibility, leadership, composure and bravery under fire, and protected other soldiers while taking initiative.