Kenyan-Israeli Singer Gilad's children join Israel Defense Forces in fight against Hamas

In a social media post, Gilad congratulated his son, Omer, for abandoning his vacation in Nicaragua, to join his compatriots in defending his country against the Hamas. 

Gilad also revealed that his daughter, Lia, has been training paramedics and doctors involved in the IDF operations, as she is a trained Israeli soldier.

"Early this morning our son Omer landed in Israel to join his paratrooper unit as a reservist in Israel Defense Forces. Omer who finished his army service over a year ago was surfing in Nicaragua on October 7th when Hamas terrorists butchered over 1300 innocent Israelis without hesitating and despite many flight cancelations he found a way to get home to Israel and was received at the airport this morning by his sister Lia who is a soldier IDF and has been working around the clock since Saturday morning's atrocities training combat medical teams in preparation for active duty and feels grateful for every doctor, paramedic and medic she has the privilege to train," Gilad said.

The two siblings were raised in Kenya, but chose to join the IDF as soldiers.

"Both of our children grew up in Kenya and chose to join the Israeli army out of a sense of duty and both of them have lost people they know in these horrendous attacks as have all of their friends," he added.

He expressed his pleasure at his children defending their country of origin.

Gilad came to Kenya 21 years ago as an official in the Israeli Embassy in Nairobi, and immediately fell in love with the country.

He got into music and made a name for himself with hit after another. Six years ago he applied for Kenyan citizenship, and was granted early this year.

Israel has launched several airstrikes in the Gaza strip after Hamas fighters infiltrated its border and killed hundreds of people, and took dozens hostage.

Israel has also warned Palestinians in Gaza to leave as it plans a ground invasion to neutralise Hamas.