The soldier who lost his eye in Tulkarm rehabilitated in Bnei Zion and dreams of returning to fighting

(haipo) A soldier from the Border Police's undercover unit, about 40 years old, married and a father of two, a resident of the north, who was critically injured by a grenade explosion in Tulkarm and lost his eye, completed about a year and a half of rehabilitation this week at the Bnei Zion Medical Center in Haifa. As part of the rehabilitation, he was fitted with a unique prosthetic eye with a Star of David in the center, and he arrived to say goodbye to the team with a clear goal: to return to combat.

Fatal injury in operational activity in Tulkarm

On October 5, 2023, two days before the outbreak of the Iron Sword War, A.S. was critically injured during an operational activity in Tulkarm after being hit by a grenade explosion. The soldier, who is decorated with two medals and certificates of merit for operational activity and neutralizing terrorists, was urgently evacuated and underwent a series of complex surgeries. He suffered serious injuries to his hand and leg, prolonged infections, and lost his eye. After a lengthy rehabilitation period at Tel Hashomer, he arrived at the rehabilitation department at the Bnei Zion Medical Center in Haifa, where he underwent about a year and a half of intensive rehabilitation treatment. "I had no grip on my hand, I couldn't even cut my nails myself," he says.

A personalized rehabilitation plan that restored him to function

The rehabilitation team at Bnei Zion Medical Center built a personalized program for him that included physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive and emotional therapy, and strengthening the injured hand. Occupational therapists Noa Gottfried and Liron Schnitzer and physiotherapist Shahar Yaroslav Ben David helped him rebuild his routine and even return to driving, while the physiotherapy team worked with him to restore strength and function.
Today, he walks almost normally, is involved in training, and is even able to perform 20 push-ups in a row, an achievement that illustrates the change he underwent during rehabilitation.

A prosthetic eye with a Star of David — a symbol of identity and power

Following the loss of the eye, Dr. Yoav Vardizer, Director of Oculoplasty at Bnei Zion Medical Center, A unique prosthetic eye with a Star of David in the center was fitted for him. "An incredible job was done here to return me to a normal life," says A.S. "The team adapted completely to my pace and my motivation. Today I walk almost normally, I am engaged in training, and my goal is to return to fighting."

An emotional farewell visit with the rehabilitation team and the CEO

This week, with the end of his rehabilitation period, A.S. arrived at Bnei Zion Medical Center to say goodbye to the rehabilitation department team that had accompanied him along the way. During the visit, he met with Prof. Ohad Hochman, CEO of Bnei Zion Medical Center, And talked with him about the rehabilitation process and his future path.
Dr. Amichai Levkowitz, specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and director of the neurological rehabilitation and day rehabilitation unit At the medical center, he said: "Rehabilitation of a multi-system injury requires a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional treatment. In this case, we met a warrior with extraordinary determination. We adapted the treatment to the goals he set for himself, and working together allowed him to gradually progress toward independence and function. 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. Hochman added: "The warrior's story expresses human strength and the power of rehabilitation medicine. Our commitment is to provide each patient with professional and advanced treatment, tailored to his needs and goals. Seeing him today, after a complex rehabilitation journey, returning to function and setting himself a goal to return to fighting, is a great source of pride for us."