Personal reflections after two years

October 7, 2023, 6:29 a.m. The date and time are etched into my memory, and every lover of Israel, like a scar that will never fade. It was a morning that started like any other, the sun rising, casting a golden aura over the sleepy town of Modiin. Little did I know that in a matter of minutes, my life, and the lives of all my fellow citizens, and indeed Jews throughout the world, would be forever changed.

Hamas broke yet another ceasefire and launched over 5,000 rockets in just twenty minutes and breached the billion-dollar fence that was supposed to protect us. The scale of the attack was unprecedented, leaving a trail of destruction and havoc in its wake. The numbers were staggering: 1,139 Israelis and 71 foreigners dead, 4,834 wounded, and 253 kidnapped. The evil brutality of the Palestinian terrorists and marauders knew no bounds, as they unleashed unspeakable horrors on innocent civilians.

Amid the chaos and devastation, a sense of unity and resilience emerged among the people of Israel. The society that had become so deeply divided came together in a show of solidarity that was both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. Ordinary citizens became heroes, stepping up to fill the void left by a government and military overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.

I became swept up in the tide of patriotism and determination that spread through the country. Despite being well past the age of reserve duty, I insisted on joining the fight. After a seventeen-year hiatus, I found myself back in uniform, ready to defend my homeland with everything I had. It was a decision driven by a deep sense of duty and love for my country, a willingness to sacrifice everything for the land that had become my home. My reserve IDF combat medical extraction unit (Palmar) was filled with men and women like me who volunteered and stopped their lives for the duration.

An unbelievable two years later, as the last hostages, both living and dead, are finally on the cusp of being returned home and one of the major war aims is met – the release of all the hostages – we need to pause and thank the men and women of the IDF.