For Roey, Scars Were Not Enough

July 26, 2024

Roey Rachamim, 32, from Herzliya, is the Deputy CEO of the “Fighters Without Borders,” an Israeli NGO that organizes volunteer service missions around the world. He also serves as a reserve unit commander in the 5th Brigade, Battalion 8111, where he is tremendously bonded to his fellow soldiers.

Roey was called up for reserve duty on October 7, and in early December they entered Khan Yunis to clear a school suspected of containing information about hostages and Hamas operatives.

During the mission to clear the area around the school, Roey’s unit discovered a Hamas operative’s house. Inside, they found knives and intelligence materials from October 7, detailing the number of operatives in the area.

In the backyard, Roey found a rolled-up carpet covered by sand, and under it the entrance to a tunnel. Instantly Roey gave the order for everyone to get back.

Just as the battalion commander reported the find so that combat engineering unit could come and deal with the tunnel, an explosive booby-trap detonated.

Roey was thrown to the ground – the air was filled with ash and smoke. Trying to get to his feet, Roey immediately fell – his leg would not support him. Seconds later, one of the soldiers from the battalion commander’s squad started to scream that he lost his leg. Roey started jumping on one leg to get to him and assist, but then a terrorist came out of the tunnel and started to shoot at them. They fired back and within seconds the battalion commander was hit. Backup came and Roey and another soldier went back to the soldier that lost his leg, Evyatar Cohen, but unfortunately it was too late and he died in Roey’s arms.

Roey looked up and realized there was no one else to save, all the other soldiers in the yard were dead.

The rest of the unit came and started to evacuate and treat the casualties amidst the bullets. Four soldiers were injured in the action, and in addition to Evyatar Cohen, four others were killed — Roman Burshtein, Ari Zenilman, Eliya Yanovski, and Itai Perri. Three of them left children.

Here is Itai Perri holding a picture from his son, who wrote: “I love you, I miss you. Daddy, I hope you won’t get injured.”

Roey suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs, face, nose, left eye and ear, a broken leg, and internal bleeding. He was hospitalized for three months at Sheba Medical Center, undergoing extensive treatments and surgeries.

The Sheba team provided comprehensive care to stabilize his condition. In the weeks following his initial treatment, Roey was transferred to Sheba’s rehabilitation department, where he received hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support. And of course, the camaraderie of recovering fellow soldiers.

The advanced facilities and dedicated staff at Sheba played a crucial role in Roey’s recovery, helping him regain his strength and work towards a return to normalcy.

Roey today is in daily rehab, dealing with PTSD, getting back to his life.

Roey’s journey at Sheba Medical Center highlights the commitment to providing the best possible care for wounded soldiers, both physically and mentally, and supporting their recovery and reintegration into everyday life.

Roey, who will forever carry the physical and emotional scars of that terrible day, now also has a tattoo of his two closest friends lost in the explosion.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Brian