Standing behind
our soldiers

Our Soldiers

• 
  Omar Harel

  Age 37


Omar Harel, 37
Unit: Tank Commander
When the Second Lebanon War broke out in 2006, Omar served as a tank commander and was sent with his battalion deep into Lebanon. During the fighting, Omar witnessed harrowing sights, including the death of one of his soldiers, who was hit by an anti-tank missile in front of him, and the loss of a crew, including his MP and four other fighters, in another tank in the battalion, due to enemy fire. After the war, Omar was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the intense stress he experienced during the conflict. Omar underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process to learn how to live with his disability and limitations and lead an independent life.
• 
  Ido Lapid

  Age 30


Ido Lapid, 30
Unit: Company A, 53rd Battalion, 188th Brigade
Ido enlisted in November 2011 and completed the tank commanders’ course. Operation Tzuk Eitan broke out during his service, and Ido’s company was sent to Gaza. During the war, Ido was injured by a mortar bomb explosion. He underwent two surgeries and rehabilitation and returned to complete his regular service. Following his service, Ido faced several difficulties and struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. He pursued higher education and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ben Gurion University. He now works as a nurse at Soroka Hospital while studying for a master’s degree in nursing.
• 
  Tal Deutsch

  Age 31


Tal Deutsch, 31
Unit: Falhan Paratroopers
• 
  Tal Ohana

  Age 30


Tal Ohana, 30
Unit: Golani Brigade
Tal Ohana served in the Golani Brigade during Operation Tzuk Eitan.  On the third night of the Operation, Tal found himself amid a harrowing combat situation. As part of an infantry force tasked with raiding a building labeled a Hamas operatives’ stronghold, Tal’s unit was advancing towards its destination when tragedy struck. A charge planted in advance detonated under their feet, injuring Tal and killing two of his friends instantly. In addition to hearing loss in his left ear, Tal suffered three disc herniations in his lower back and injuries to his head. Despite the chaos and danger surrounding them, Tal’s unit persevered, fighting back against massive gunfire and providing medical assistance to those in need. The bravery and determination of Tal and his fellow soldiers allowed them to withdraw to safety, despite being under heavy fire. However, the battle was far from over. Three days after the initial incident, Tal’s unit prepared to bomb the infamous Unra hospital, which was being used as a missile factory. During the operation, Tal was injured by a blast and fell from the third floor of a nearby building to the first floor. He was then evacuated and treated for his injuries. 
• 
  Yaron Mirkov

  Age 35


Yaron Mirkov, 35
Unit: Gedsar 585
Yaron served in Gaza for five years as a liaison officer for his battalion. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, Yaron sustained injuries due to rocket fire in his battalion’s deployed area. Despite his own injuries, Yaron helped evacuate other wounded personnel and witnessed some of the traumatic experiences of his fellow soldiers. Following the end of the operation, Yaron resumed his duties in the battalion until his release. He then transferred to the combat response unit, where he served for several years until he was recognized by the rehabilitation department. Currently, Yaron is unemployed and is undergoing self-rehabilitation in search of a meaningful path forward.
• 
  Itamar Glazer

  Age 31


Itamar Glazer, 31
Unit: River Patrol
Itamar Glazer served as a sniper in the elite Sayeret Nahal special forces unit. During Operation Tzuk Eitan, Itamar’s unit was deployed to the Beit Hanoun neighborhood in Gaza, where he experienced intense combat firsthand. On July 25, three missiles hit the house where Itamar was located, tragically resulting in the death of his friend Roy Peles and causing Itamar to suffer a severe knee injury that required airlifting to the hospital and an extensive recovery process. Years later, Itamar was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the trauma he experienced. The Ministry of Defense has recognized both his leg injury and his PTSD.
• 
  Aviv Luzia

  Age 35


Aviv Luzia, 35
Unit: Border Patrol
Aviv Luzia enlisted in the Border Guard in 2006, which began with rigorous training and intense combat preparation. During his service, the Second Lebanon War erupted, thrusting Aviv and his team into the thick of battle along the southern front lines. From there, he was stationed in Ramallah. Additionally, Aviv was stationed in the Hebron sector and, for a brief period, patrolled the Western Wall area in Jerusalem. Throughout his army service, Aviv experienced harrowing incidents, including shootings, attempted stabbings, and other acts of violence. In 2008, a fellow member of Aviv’s unit tragically took his own life mere inches away from him, an event that deeply impacted Aviv.  The cumulative effect of these traumatic experiences took a heavy toll on Aviv, leaving him grappling with the emotional and psychological scars of his service. After completing his tour of duty, he transferred to the rehabilitation department, where he began the process of healing and recovery.
• 
  Shay Ozana

  Age 40


Shay Ozana, 40
Unit: Military Police
Shay was part of the military police, and during the second intifada, experienced quite a few shooting attacks. In one of the incidents,  two soldiers involved in the security of the base were killed by Palestinian snipers who shot them after an ambush, and injured two more soldiers. Another time, a suicide bomber was on his way into Israel to blow himself up when he saw Shay and his team. He detonated his explosives then with the aim of killing innocent fighters and civilians. Luckily, Shay was inside a bulletproof jeep, and no one was injured. There were many other incidents that occurred with Palestinians. After 17 years of struggles and hardship, Shay was diagnosed with PTSD.