In a landmark ruling, an Eilat court has granted Sharon Eisenkot permission to use the sperm of her late son, IDF Sgt. Maor Cohen Eisenkot, to conceive a grandchild through surrogacy, Channel 12 reported. This marks the first such ruling since the October 7, 2023, outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Alaccording to a Sunday 6 of July, 2025 report by The Times of Israel.
Sgt. Maor Eisenkot, 19, served in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, and was killed in combat in Gaza in December 2023. The court’s decision was based on compelling testimony that Maor had expressed a clear desire to have children, even posthumously, and even with a woman he did not know.
The key testimony came from a childhood friend to whom Maor had confided his wish which Sharon Eisenkot only learned about after his death. This evidence was considered central to the court’s decision.
Sharon Eisenkot has spoken publicly about the depth of her grief. “Every Friday when I set the table, and have to place Maor’s photo on it, it burns my soul. Even when I smile, the smile is only on my face, not from my soul,” she told Channel 12.
“His absence tears at my soul, everywhere, at all hours of the day,” she added. “I miss his presence. I even miss his scent. I spray his cologne around the house so I can smell him. It’s surreal that I have to be creative just to feel my son.”
Maor’s death came just days after that of his cousin, Staff Sgt. (res.) Gal Eisenkot, 25, the son of former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff and war cabinet minister, Gadi Eisenkot. Another nephew, Captain Yogev Pazy, 22, also fell in Gaza in November 2024. Sharon is Gadi Eisenkot’s half-sister.
Known in Eilat as a disciplined and compassionate youth, Maor also played soccer at the youth division level. His coaches remembered him as “a serious player and a responsible and caring person,” according to Israel Hayom.
