A Soldier’s Legacy: Phage Therapy Named After Fallen Israeli Hero May Save Lives

Master Sgt. Raz Abulafia. (X Screenshot) (X Screenshot)

The Israeli Phage Therapy Center has identified and cataloged hundreds of phages, striving to develop alternative treatments for bacterial infections that no longer respond to antibiotics.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

A newly discovered bacteriophage could play a vital role in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in both humans and livestock, Israeli researchers announced on Sunday.

Phages are viruses that selectively target and kill bacteria. Their potential as a solution to antibiotic resistance has drawn increasing interest in recent years.

Developed at the Israeli Phage Therapy Center at the Hebrew University and Hadassah, the phage, named “KpRaz1” after a fallen Israeli soldier, specifically targets Klebsiella pneumoniae, a dangerous pathogen responsible for difficult-to-treat infections.

If proven effective, “KpRaz1” may provide an alternative treatment for bacterial infections that no longer respond to antibiotics.

According to the National Institute of Health, Klebsiella pneumoniae is responsible for approximately 10% of hospital-acquired infections.

The phage was named in honor of 27-year-old Master Sgt. Raz Abulafia, who fell in battle in northern Gaza on Nov. 14, 2023.

His life partner, researcher Sigal Vorzhev, discovered and named the phage while working under the guidance of Prof. Ronen Hazan and alongside doctoral student Ortal Yerushalmy at the Faculty of Dentistry.

“Naming this phage after Raz is my way of honoring his memory—not only as a soldier and a leader but as someone who dedicated his life to protecting others. If KpRaz1 can one day help save lives, it will be a tribute worthy of him,” Vorzhev said.

The Israeli Phage Therapy Center has identified and cataloged hundreds of phages, striving to develop alternative treatments for bacterial infections that no longer respond to antibiotics.

One of the key applications of “KpRaz1” is its use in phage therapy, a personalized medical approach where specific phages are matched to bacterial infections in patients.

If proven effective, it could be integrated into targeted treatments for individuals suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections.

Hospitals, which face an ongoing battle against drug-resistant bacterial strains, could also use “KpRaz1” to control outbreaks and prevent the spread of deadly infections in clinical environments.

Phages also have potential applications in agriculture and food safety. Similar bacteriophages have been used to combat bacterial infections in livestock, reducing the need for antibiotics in food production.

The initiative is part of an effort to name phages after fallen soldiers and civilians, linking scientific progress with remembrance.

The Israeli Phage Therapy Center has a tradition of naming new phages to acknowledge historical figures, distinguished scientists, and loved ones.

Since the October 7 attacks, the center has named other phages after 26-year-old hostage Alon Shamriz, who was erroneously killed by soldiers along with two hostages after escaping their captors in the Gaza City neighborhood of Shejaiya in December 2023; 20-year-old US-Israeli 2nd Lt. Yannai Kaminka, who was killed on the morning of October 7 defending the Zikim army base; and Chief Insp. Arnon Zamora of the police’s elite Yamam counterterror unit, who was killed during the rescue of four hostages from central Gaza in June 2024.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 76 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed to be dead.

“This initiative embodies the intersection of scientific innovation and deep personal tribute. Through Sigal’s and Shira’s work, we not only advance the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria but also ensure that the legacy of fallen heroes continues in a meaningful and life-saving way,” said Prof. Avraham Zini, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine.