Sights that shattered the soul: Shlomo was exposed to hundreds of fallen - now his family is fighting for him

Shlomo Arnon (29) from Jerusalem has been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment for about 3 months, after collapsing following experiences from his reserve service. The service, his family members say, included handling and contact with hundreds of the fallen from October 7 and the Iron Swords war.

"He received a call-up to arrive at Shura at the beginning of the events," Aviv (28), his wife and mother of their three young children, told Maariv. "He served as an officer in those places and the things he was exposed to really broke him."

According to her, Shlomo refused to stop his activity for a moment. Even when they came to replace him so he could rest, he stayed: "Those who were with him did not believe he would break and collapse. For other soldiers who arrived there, it did happen that they broke or collapsed. But he thought he would not be affected because he is very strong. He did it for the sake of heaven. But in the end, it brought him down too."

Arnon began to return in his thoughts to the camp where he operated and to his tasks. From time to time he would collapse. His soul could no longer contain the sights he saw and the experiences he went through: "It is hard for him to contain me, the children, he was in crazy stress. Constantly full of adrenaline. He didn't eat, couldn't sleep, he just collapsed." Shlomo accumulated more than 700 days of reserve duty, which he did, according to the family, at Camp Shura and Sde Teiman.

Due to his condition and hospitalization, his family members, with the help of various parties, launched a crowdfunding campaign to enable him to receive the treatment package he needs and at the same time create a supporting financial back for his wife and children:

"As part of his long and demanding service at Camp Shura, Shlomo was exposed to some of the most difficult sights the human mind can grasp. Sights that accompany him every moment, every day and every night. Shlomo gave his heart and soul for our country for more than two years. Now the state and the community need to give him and his family a warm embrace and a safe envelope. Behind the hero at the front stands an equal hero: Aviv, who is forced to deal almost entirely alone with raising their three young children, managing a home, studying, and being the anchor and support of the family in the most complex moments."

The campaign is being conducted through the crowdfunding site givechak.co.il under the name "Strengthening the Arnon family." So far, more than one million shekels have been raised for the fundraising goal.