He served as a combat soldier in the Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion and fought in Gaza, where he lost close friends in combat. Subscribe"Shakin's case reflects a broader problem faced by other lone soldiers," Meizlish told Israeli media. During his military service, Shakin lived at HaBayit shel Benji, a residential facility that provides housing for lone soldiers. However, the support provided by the IDF and Defense Ministry ended once Shakin returned to the United States. Meizlish noted that roughly 1,200 cases involving Israeli combat veterans living in the United States are registered with support organizations, but only two Defense Ministry representatives are assigned to handle them.