Fighter critically wounded and lost his right eye: after rehabilitation, he is returning to combat
A.Sh., a fighter in the Border Police (Magav) undercover unit, was critically wounded by a grenade explosion during an operation in Tulkarm in October 2023. After a year and a half of intensive rehabilitation at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, he has regained his physical functions and is preparing to return to combat duty.
A.Sh., about 40 years old, married and a father of two, a resident of the north, is a fighter in the undercover unit of the Border Police (Magav), decorated with two citations for operational activity and neutralizing terrorists. During an operation in Tulkarm, he was critically wounded by a grenade explosion, underwent a series of complex surgeries, and dealt with severe injuries to his hand and leg, prolonged infections, and the loss of his right eye. After a long rehabilitation period at Tel HaShomer, he continued the recovery process at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa.
The injury occurred on October 5, 2023, just two days before the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war. Due to his critical condition, A.Sh. was urgently evacuated for medical treatment. Later, after arriving at the rehabilitation department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center, an intensive rehabilitation process began that lasted about a year and a half. "I had no grip in my hand, I couldn't even cut my nails by myself," he says.
From a long rehabilitation process to returning to independence
The rehabilitation team at the Bnai Zion Medical Center built a personal treatment plan for him that included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, cognitive and emotional therapy, and strengthening the injured hand. Occupational therapists Noa Gottfried and Liron Shanitsar, and physiotherapist Shahar Yaroslav Ben David helped him rebuild his daily routine and even return to driving. Today he walks almost normally, engages in instruction, and is even able to perform 20 pull-ups in a row.
A unique prosthetic eye with a Star of David
Following the loss of his right eye, Dr. Yoav Vardizer, director of the oculoplasty department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center, fitted him with a unique prosthetic eye with a Star of David in the center. "Amazing work was done here to bring me back to a normal life," says A.Sh. "The team adapted completely to my pace and my motivation. Today I walk almost normally, engage in instruction, and my goal is to return to combat."
The next goal: to return to combat
This week, at the end of the rehabilitation period, A.Sh. arrived at the Bnai Zion Medical Center to say goodbye to the rehabilitation department team. Dr. Amichai Levkovitz, director of neurological rehabilitation, said: "Rehabilitation of a multi-system injury requires a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional treatment. In this case, we met a fighter with exceptional determination. Seeing him today, at the end of the rehabilitation process, returning to an independent and functioning life, is a significant moment for all of us."
Prof. Ohad Hochman, CEO of the Bnai Zion Medical Center, added: "The fighter's story expresses human strength and the power of rehabilitation medicine. Seeing him today, after a complex rehabilitation journey, returning to function and setting himself a goal to return to combat, is a great pride for us."
