Just nine months after being critically injured in battle in Khan Yunis, Gilad Rachamim Aviad found himself returning to Shaare Zedek Medical Center for an entirely different reason—a joyful one. Having spent weeks in the trauma unit following a life-threatening injury, Gilad now stood in the same hospital, but this time, it was to celebrate the birth of his son.
In the early days of the war, Gilad was serving as a reservist in Gaza when he was struck by shrapnel from a rocket attack. The metal fragment penetrated his chest, narrowly missing his heart by mere millimeters. While the shrapnel avoided critical organs, it caused severe damage to his diaphragm and stomach. Gilad was evacuated by army rescue helicopter to Shaare Zedek, where he would undergo several surgeries and a lengthy recovery process.
The timing of his injury was nothing short of extraordinary. Just the day before, Gilad had received the news that his wife, Miriam Rubin, was pregnant. “The news was incredibly exciting,” Gilad recalls, “and I never imagined that the very next day, I would find myself seriously injured and on my way to the hospital.”
Throughout this challenging time, Miriam’s strength and support were pivotal to Gilad’s recovery. He credits her with providing the calm and fortitude he needed to navigate such a traumatic period. “My wife, Miriam, my hero, stayed calm and gave me so much strength and support,” Gilad says. Her unwavering presence was a steady source of comfort as he faced the long and difficult road to healing.
When Gilad was eventually released from the hospital, the journey did not end there. The process of physical recovery was complemented by the emotional toll of what he had experienced, something that continues to be part of his healing. Yet, the anticipation of becoming a father provided an ever-present motivation, and each day brought him closer to that goal.
Now, nine months later, Gilad and Miriam are celebrating a moment of incredible joy, having welcomed their son into the world. It was a poignant return for Gilad when he visited Shaare Zedek again, this time with his newborn child in tow. The medical teams who had cared for him during his most difficult days were now there to share in the family’s happiness. “It was so moving to come back and see the same medical teams who had cared for me during my recovery, and now to share in this joyous occasion,” he says.
Gilad’s recovery journey is far from over, but his gratitude for the care he received at Shaare Zedek is evident. Looking ahead, he anticipates yet another emotional milestone when he performs the brit milah (Jewish circumcision) for his son.
In his own words, Gilad expresses his deep appreciation for the medical staff at Shaare Zedek: “I am so appreciative of the incredibly dedicated teams at Shaare Zedek, and I pray that we will only be together for happy occasions in the future.”
