A New Year, a New Me – Wounded Soldiers on the Path to Recovery

Having fought in the 2014 Operation Protective Edge and numerous other missions, S.’s leadership is built on years of experience, forming deep bonds with his soldiers, many of whom have served with him for over a decade.

On October 7, 2023, Major S., a company commander in an infantry unit of the 460th Brigade was called up for reserve duty. For three rounds, a total of two-hundred days, he served on the frontlines. On October 10, 2024, after a year of fighting, S.’s life took a dramatic turn.

While heading towards Jabalia in Gaza in a convoy of hummer vehicles, the first vehicle was hit by a landmine. As the explosion rocked his surroundings, S., in the second hummer, immediately sprang into action.

“It’s never just a landmine,” he recalled. “We knew something else big was coming.”

Despite being under heavy fire, S.’s squad began to isolate and secure their surroundings. But then, a fatal strike occurred. S.’s hummer was hit directly by an RPG. He lost consciousness for a moment, only to wake up in the midst of the destruction around him.

Amid the chaos, S.’s next orders were to begin evacuation. As he and another squad member tried to move, a second landmine exploded, sending S. flying 15 meters east.

When S. returned to consciousness, he was alone, his body was covered in blood, his right leg and back of his head severely injured. “Wherever I put my hands on my body, they were met with blood,” he said, recalling the sheer devastation.

Despite his severe injuries, S.’s determination was unwavering. “I started losing consciousness, felt myself letting go. It was then that the image of my wife appeared in my head, and I said to myself, ‘no, I can’t do this to her.’” With that thought, he mustered the strength to drag himself back to his squad, knowing he couldn’t give up. His soldiers found him and evacuated him, and he was flown to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem.

After a long surgery, S. woke up to a painful reality. His soldiers were gathered around his hospital bed, and one by one, they named three close friends he had lost in the attack: Netanel, killed by the RPG; Tzvi, killed by the landmine; and Ori, killed by a sniper bullet.

From left to right: Master sergeant (res.) Ori Moshe Borenstein, Major (res.) Netanel Hershkovitz, Master sergeant (res.) Tzvi Matityahu Marantz

At that moment, S. was struck with the overwhelming grief of losing not one, but three of his best friends in the unit. “I knew I had lost some of them when I woke up, I remembered seeing it,” S. said. "But Ori's death, I didn’t expect. That one hit me hard."

Despite the pain, S. managed to attend Netanel’s funeral the next morning, arriving in an ambulance, wrapped in bandages.

Major S. at Netanel’s funeral 

“I had the honor of speaking at his funeral. Seeing the fresh graves of my best friends, they were all buried in the same order we had been just one night before, sleeping in our tent by the border of Gaza. The three boys all next to one another, and then me. Somehow, I was the one that made it out.”

S.’s path to recovery was long and arduous. After being transferred to Sheba Medical Center at Tel-HaShomer, he underwent more surgeries, followed by seven months of intense rehabilitation. His body had been ravaged: his knee and shin were shattered by bullets, his eardrums burst, he suffered multiple concussions, and more.

Still, his strength endured. Today, he walks with just a walking stick to help him along, and makes more progress every day.

Though he began in a wheelchair, S. refused to let his injuries define him. His wife, who stood by his side through the entire process, was his rock, and his soldiers continually reminded him of the responsibility he still carried for them.

S.'s rehabilitation has been a process of setting short-term goals, treating every day like a small mission. While his body healed, S. also focused on his mental strength, undergoing therapy to come to terms with the emotional weight of the losses he had undergone.

“Every day is a new war, and a new fight for me. I’m a soldier, and I’m gonna count every tiny thing I do, getting up in the morning, that’s a success.”

Despite the pain and setbacks, S.'s resolve has only grown stronger. “I got out easy,” he said, showing a humility and resilience that defined him. He still has a long journey ahead, but he is determined to return to his soldiers in the field.

“It’s eating me up inside knowing my soldiers are in there without me. Being in reserve duty is a huge part of who I am. We loved what we did, even the hardest days never felt like a burden.”

Before his injury, S. ran 60 km a week. Although he isn’t back to running yet, he’s determined to not just return to that level, but to surpass it. “I have high expectations not only for this year, but for the rest of my life.”

“The hardest part of rehabilitation is the loss,” S. admitted. “No matter what anyone says, I was in charge,” he pauses. “I made a promise to bring them all back, and I didn’t. It’s on me, and I’ll always live with that.”

Major S. and Master sergeant (res.) Tzvi Matityahu Marantz

But even in the face of this burden, S. is moving forward. “I’m the same person, stronger than before. And I’ll keep fighting.”

S. has transformed his experience into something more than just a personal journey, and has become a source of inspiration. He now is involved with many organizations that help injured soldiers with their recovery and reintegration into society, and tells his story to strengthen soldiers in similar situations to his own.

Recently, S. completed a course on lecturing, honing his skills to share his story with others. He has been honored with the Excellence Award from the Chief of General Staff for his courage and dedication, a stupendous achievement.

As Rosh Hashana approaches, S. reflects on the year ahead. “I’m gonna live this new year for them, for my friends I lost, for my wife, I owe her that much since I’m standing here now because of her.”

His commitment to returning to the battlefield remains unwavering. “I had an agreement with my battalion commander that I would replace him, and I’m not gonna let him down. It might take time, but I’m going to get there.”

Despite the challenges, S. remains focused on the future, one day at a time. “I’m still here. I’m alive. And I’m going to make it back.”