Eli was born in 26.6.1981 to Nava and Moti at “the Carmel” hospital – Haifa. Since he was a child, Eli was known for his good heart and for his willingness to help others. He graduated high school in the athletic department, where he was an excellent football player. Eli loved football, and all of his friends admired the fact that every time someone in the team had a fight, Eli was the one to bring peace.
Eli had many friends from all over the country since he was living according to the rule
“Respect the person as he is and do not judge him according to stereotypes”. All his friends adored him because of his ability to listen to their heart and understand each one of them in his own unique way.
Familiar with the history of Israel and with a lot of motivation to serve his country, Eli wanted to contribute to his homeland; Eli wished to be recruited to a special unit in the Israeli Defense Force. He was chosen to serve in a special Military Police unit called “Force 100” – a special force which deployed in prisons for sentenced terrorists.
Eli started his military service, and succeeded in all of the unit’s hard training, he also successfully finished the Israeli Defence Force prestige course for counter terrorism. After all the training and tests, Eli was given the “Force 100” badge and was deployed at the “Megido” prison.
Several days prior to his full discharge from the military, Eli told his father that he was
planning to travel to Thailand after the army, and his father cautioned him of terror warnings there.
Ali replied ”I could also died near home”.
In March 5, 2003 – sgt. Eliyahu Laham, 22, of Haifa, was one of 17 people killed in a
suicide bombing of an Egged bus on the Morlah blvd. in the Carmel neighborhood of Haifa.
He was buried in the Military Cemetery in Haifa. His parents, a brother and sister survive him.