The son of Tamima and Kassem. Born in 1947 in the village of Magar in the Galilee, he was born into a large, close-knit family, one of nine children – three sisters and six brothers.

Galeb grew up and was educated in Magyar, attending primary and secondary school there. At a young age, at the age of sixteen, he began working in the construction industry and became known as a hardworking and responsible young man.

In 1965, he enlisted in the IDF for compulsory service. He successfully completed his basic training, continued on to the battalion sapper course, and served in the Druze unit in the south of the country. During his service, he participated in the Six-Day War (1967) and demonstrated courage, dedication, and willingness to fulfill any mission.

Upon completion of his compulsory service, at the rank of sergeant, he chose to continue in regular service and joined the ranks of the Border Guard. In this framework, he participated in the Yom Kippur War (1973) and in many other operations. Galeb served over the years in the Sinai Peninsula and at the Ashdod Border Guard, where he thwarted enemy infiltrations and was involved in the capture of Egyptian and Jordanian soldiers. For his work, he received many certificates of appreciation and recognition.

For Galeb, serving in the Border Guard was not just a profession – but a way of life. Even after being wounded and recognized as disabled, he continued to serve loyally and devotedly for twenty-five years, until he reached the rank of First Sergeant.

Galeb married Ghazaleh, and the two established a warm and loving home in Magyar. Together they raised eight children – six sons and two daughters. He was a devoted father, a faithful husband and a humble, generous and moral man, known for his love for everyone. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, traveling around the country and especially spending time by the sea – a place that gave him peace and tranquility.

In his final years, Galeb struggled with the worsening of his disability, but maintained a strong spirit and deep faith. On September 14, 1993, he passed away at the age of forty-six. He was laid to rest in a well-attended ceremony at the family cemetery in Magyar. He left behind a wife and eight children.

His children wrote about him:
"Dad followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who also fell – and we continue in his footsteps. We chose to serve in the Border Guard, the police and the prison service, as he raised us – with love for the country and the people."

His son Izzat, who also served in the Border Police, was injured during his service in Hebron and died in 2003.

Galeb Ghanem is commemorated at the "Yad Labanim" memorial in Dalit al-Karmel, at the Border Guard Martyrs' Memorial at the Iron Junction, and at the Police Martyrs' Memorial at the Police College in Beit Shemesh. An album was set up in his memory on the "Gilad" police website, containing photographs from his service and certificates of appreciation he received along the way.