Singer Matti Caspi has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
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The composer, producer and singer passed away overnight at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv in Israel.
Matti's family announced his passing in a statement on Sunday, paying an emotional tribute to 'a beloved husband and a dear father.'
They said: 'With aching hearts and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved husband and dear father.
'The light of our lives has gone out. His love and his creativity, which he always gave, will remain a part of us forever. You were and will remain the essence of our existence.'
Matti's famous works included Brit Olam (Eternal Covenant), Ekh Ze SheKochav (How Is It That a Star), Hine Hine (Here Here), Lo Yadati SheTelchi Mimeni (I Didn't Know You Would Leave Me) and Shir HaYonah (The Song of the Dove).
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Singer Matti Caspi has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, with his family paying tribute to their 'beloved husband and dear father' in a statement on Sunday
The composer had previously pleaded for support from his fans to fun his cancer treatment.
In May, while suffered from metastases, he told his followers he would be cancelling his upcoming performances, and then started a $1.5 million crowdfunding campaign to pay for experimental treatments.
He said at the time: 'The doctors are focused on extending life, but I am determined not to give up — and to win.
'It's not easy to admit that you need help. It's also quite frustrating that in the Israeli reality, in order to receive treatment you have to look for sources of funding. There are trips abroad for treatments that don't exist in Israel, and those things cost a lot of money.
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'I chose an alternative path that includes things that aren't in the health basket at all. In my situation, if I had to rely only on royalties and the money I have, I wouldn't be able to manage.'
In July, while sharing that his illness was preventing him from playing the piano or the guitar, he said: 'I'll fight in every way possible, I'll be stubborn to the end' while making a brief appearance at a concert in his honour.
While Matti's illness prevented him from performing in his final months, he continued to update his followers on social media.
Posting in November to promote a new songbook, he said: 'Even in difficult and challenging moments in life, something small can cheer and lift your spirits!
Matti's family announced his passing in a statement on Sunday, after he had pleaded for help from followers to fund experimental cancer treatment
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Over his lifetime, Caspi – who was born in Israel in 1949 – released around 1,000 songs and dozens of albums over six decades (pictured in 2013)
'I'm proud to present you my song notes book from a new series of books that are underway. Each record book contains two albums.
'This book, which is the first in the series, contains the notes for songs from the first and second album. I am happy that all music lovers can learn to play my songs from anywhere.Hope to get better and see you soon.'
Over his lifetime, Caspi – who was born in Israel in 1949 – released around 1,000 songs and dozens of albums over six decades. He also worked as a musician and producer for other artists.
During the Yom Kippur War, Caspi toured IDF bases alongside the legendary Canadian Jewish singer, Leonard Cohen, who later arranged his song Lover Lover Lover.
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After his death, Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zoha called Caspi's music 'a soundtrack of love and hope' for 'generations of Israelis'.
He said in a statement: 'With great sorrow, we bid farewell today to Mati Caspi, the towering singer and songwriter who touched the souls of us all and gave us classics that became enduring pillars of Israeli music.
'Songs such as ''Brit Olam'' and ''Ma Zot Ahava'' accompanied generations of Israelis through their most beautiful and most painful moments, becoming a soundtrack of love and hope. His legacy will continue to resonate for many years to come. May his memory be a blessing.'