On June 11, Hadas Levy made history as the first woman to give birth to a child with a father fallen in Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the tragic events of October 7 that resulted in 1,200 deaths.
Her fiancé, Capt. (res.) Netanel Silberg, died in action in Gaza in December 2023. The couple was introduced on a blind date organized by their friends back in May 2022.
“He was quite striking. When he came to pick me up, he stood outside his car, reminiscent of a gentleman from another time. He stood at about 1.80 meters (around 5 feet, 11 inches), was well-built, and when he took off his glasses, his stunning green eyes were captivating. He truly had it all,” Levy shared with Fox News Digital.
Levy spoke about the difficulties of going through her pregnancy without her partner by her side. She had to take each test solo and repeatedly explain his absence when discussing the father. Without Netanel, she couldn’t complete genetic screenings and often turned to his mother for insights into his family history.
In June, Levy delivered her son via C-section at Hadassah University Hospital on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, where she had also been inseminated with the assistance of Dr. Efrat Esh-Broder from the IVF unit.
“I love him for who he is, not merely as his father’s child. I did not name him Netanel. He is not just a memorial stone,” she stated to Fox News Digital.
Hadas Levy’s infant son sleeps beside her in an undated photo. (Neta Levy)
Three months later, her son has his father’s nose and ears. Levy said Silberg would have been upset, as he never liked his own features.
“We look at pictures of Netanel already. He needs to be proud of his dad, his dad’s story is one of bravery. He needs to know he has a dad and a family,” she said.
Levy is frequently approached by women seeking guidance on the process. In addition to her, around six other IDF widows are pursuing parenthood using sperm retrieved from their deceased husbands.
The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO) offers comprehensive support throughout the process, helping families navigate emotional, legal, and medical challenges.
“You must want the child for the child and not for his father who was killed. It’s something that is forgotten sometimes. The child can’t only be his father’s son, it’s not fair. To the girls who want to do it, I say do it. It’s continuity, it’s life and it’s amazing,” Levy said.
