"At 7 AM, I was in Sinai in a bathing suit and by 7 PM, in a uniform." My name is Yoav. I am 31, originally from Moshav Amonim, and I live in Tel Aviv. I just started studying law and government this year at Reichman University's Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy. On 10.7 I was on vacation in Sinai, sitting on the beach. A jogger told us, "There are rockets now over the south". I immediately went to check what was going on and what I saw I will never forget. We immediately packed up and started driving back. Before we got home, I had already received order 8.
This is the reality of the reservists and I am proud to be part of such a high-quality group of people who are ready to stop and sacrifice everything for Israel. We entered Gaza on October 28th, 2023, it was not my team's first time there, we were also there during Protective Edge in 2014. A lot has changed but also a lot remains the same, the same
tunnels, the same rockets, and the same murderous ideology. On November 20th we were in the Beit Lahia area on a relatively quiet morning. We were informed about a terrorist squad running between the houses and we immediately got up to start a chase. We managed to catch them about 200 meters from our position and a battle began. I was near our sergeant Zvika as the team started to flank the house from the left and Zvika and I stayed behind to cover. As soon as we got up to join the team at home, a missile hit near us. I remember flying through the air and landing on my back. My team came out, treated me, and connected a squad of doctors to us. These fighters saved my life, they acted bravely
and professionally under fire, evacuating Zvika and I quickly and immediately starting treatment. I was sedated and ventilated. Unfortunately, Zvika did not survive and I think about him every day. After I woke up and after a week and a half in intensive care, I moved to the orthopedic department. I underwent 28 surgeries, some at the same time, and after two months of treatment, I moved to rehabilitation in Tel Hashomer. I underwent intensive rehabilitation in Sheba for 5 months and during this time I got to know amazing people with crazy stories.
I have quite a few insights from the past year, but if I write them here this post will not end.
What I do want to say is that I think we are all wounded by the events of the past year, we all know someone who lost a friend, family member, or partner. There are some of us whose injury is invisible and therefore we are obliged to be good to each other and show empathy, whether in the classroom, on the road, or in the cafeteria, our strength in our unity is no longer a cliché but a survival instinct. Be the change you want to see in Israel.
Thank you Yoav for your service and sacrifice, may you continue to heal and have success in your studies.
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