Bondi hero Gefen Bitton returns to Israel for treatment

Gefen Bitton, an Israeli living in Australia who was critically wounded when he tried to confront one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach Chanukah massacre last month, is being flown to Israel for further treatment.

Bitton — whose condition has improved but is still serious — is slated to travel to Israel today in a medical transfer.

He and another hero who risked their lives to protect others during the Bondi attack remain in hospital with a long recovery ahead.

Bitton, 30, had been living and working in Australia, and after hiking in the Blue Mountains on December 14, came to Bondi to celebrate Chanukah.  According to his friend Caylee Barr, when the shooting began Bitton managed to escape with friends but without telling them, returned to confront a shooter alongside Ahmed Al Ahmed who was able to disarm the gunman. Both Al Ahmed and Bitton were shot, Al Ahmed has since been released from hospital, while Barr stated Bitton has endured multiple surgeries and remains in intensive care.

Barr set up a GoFundMe page for Bitton’s recovery and wrote, “Our beautiful friend Gefen was shot three times with a shotgun and is now fighting in the ICU, after his act of heroism on Sunday night. On behalf of his dad and his family, we are raising money for his medical expenses and rehabilitation – a long road ahead.” Barr stated that Gefen’s father had travelled from Israel to be with his son.  Providing an update on his medical condition, Barr wrote on Monday that he had recently woken from a coma, “Gefen is still in ICU. We’re seeing small improvements daily, as he slowly wakes up.” According to Ynet, Bitton will travel to Israel for further treatment.