NEW YORK – JBN regrets to inform you of the untimely and tragic death of William “Will” Shakin, a young American IDF veteran who served as a Golani combat soldier during the Gaza war and died Sunday in New York following a devastating struggle with his mental health.

Shakin, whose Hebrew name was Zev ben Eliyahu v’Rina, left the United States for Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre. He volunteered for the IDF through the Mahal program and ultimately joined the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, fighting inside Gaza as a hero to help rescue hostages and defeat Hamas. During the war, he experienced the loss of friends who fought alongside him.

The battle did not end for Will when he came home.

Following his combat service, Shakin experienced severe psychological distress. Despite his struggle with what supporters described as PTSD, Israeli authorities had not formally recognized him as suffering from service-related PTSD because he was unable to fly to Israel to appear in-front recognition committees, a required of the Defense Ministry.

While serving in Israel, Will lived at HaBayit shel Benji, a home for lone soldiers. Staff there became concerned about his well-being after his service and contacted his parents. He later returned to the United States to be close to his family. According to reporting on his case, the IDF and Defense Ministry support he had been receiving did not continue after he arrived in New York. 

Those trying to help Will say his experience exposed a serious gap facing former lone soldiers who return overseas. Chaim Meizlish, who works with lone soldiers experiencing mental-health difficulties in New York, said Will would have needed to return to Israel and appear before committees as part of the process of obtaining official recognition. Doing so would have taken him away from the family support system surrounding him in America. 

Meizlish says the problem extends far beyond one veteran. Approximately 1,200 cases involving wounded IDF veterans and people dealing with combat-related trauma are registered in the United States, while only two Defense Ministry representatives are assigned to handle them. 

Will’s family is now seeking to bring him back to Israel and have him laid to rest at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem. His lack of formal recognition as a combat-trauma victim has complicated that effort. Minister Ofir Sofer has said he will try to assist the family. 

Will was a warrior and a gift to Am Yisrael. He carried so much through his service and the realities of war. He will be dearly missed by his family, his friends, his fellow lone soldiers, and everyone who knew him.

If you knew Will, or know someone who did, please reach out. If anyone could use a call or support, please be in touch with Nevut, an organization that supports IDF lone soldier veterans and their families, providing community, mental-health resources and assistance as veterans transition

His death is a painful reminder that for some soldiers, the wounds of war continue long after the uniform comes off.

The Nevut Support Line is open 24/7:
🇺🇸 US: +1-844-566-3433
📱 WhatsApp: +1-347-770-4457

ברוך דיין האמת

Zev ben Eliyahu v’Rina

May Will’s memory be a blessing. 💔