"In November 2012, I enlisted in the Golani reconnaissance unit and trained as a combat sniper. After a tense period and with many activities in the Quneitra area on the border with Syria, Operation Protective Edge began. We were given a mission to enter the Shuja'iyya neighborhood on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip and hit terrorist infrastructure there including weapons, tunnels, rocket manufacturing workshops, and more. We took over the "White House" - a strategic house in the heart of the neighborhood, and the entire command squad of the unit gathered there to continue fighting and conquering targets. We were hit.
I flew out of the blast and shrapnel tore my throat as a result of the explosion that hit us. At the same time, five more anti-tank missiles were fired at us and the floor and the walls around us collapsed. A wall crushed me and tore all the ligaments in my ankle. I was cut by shrapnel in my throat and face and lost consciousness trying to extricate myself from the rubble. Everyone who was on the floor with us was either killed or critically injured.

I started rehabilitation that included several ankle surgeries to rehabilitate my ligaments – and continues to this day.
After a year and a half of incessant nightmares from that event, I started treatment for PTSD, treatment I am still undergoing".

Photo: Ronen Fadida