Their Service Joined Their Destinies

August 9, 2024

All of us felt the horrific pain of the loss of twelve Druze children on a soccer field, victims of an Iranian-supplied rocket to Hezbollah. As many people know, Israel’s Druze minority, along with the Circassian community, serve in the IDF – and with great distinction. The Herev Battallion was formed in 1948 and fought in every major Arab–Israeli war since. While ethnic Druze comprised the majority of its members, there were also recruits drawn from the Bedouin, Circassian, Christian and Arab Muslim communities. The battalion produced several generals for the IDF. The unit has since had Jewish soldiers added to it.

Wihbe Abo Awad, is a 39-year-old married father of two was the deputy commander of one of the “Herev” Battalion brigades. He served 80 days in reserves, with only three brief visits home, before being injured on his 81st day.

Wihbe and his team were stationed near the village of Ikrit in the western Galilee. They heard a Hezbollah missile strike the village church and learned a civilian was injured and others were trapped inside.

Wihbe and his squad had no doubt that they would rescue everyone despite the danger. As they reached the church and began treating the injured civilian, another missile struck. Wihbe was blown into the air, suffering severe injuries to his right leg, pelvis and back.

Wihbe said: “The impact of the hit was so strong. I flew in the air and landed on my back. The doctor started giving me life-saving treatment and ordered me to stay conscious.”

He received treatment in the field and was evacuated to a hospital.

After spending time in intensive care, Wihbe was transferred to Sheba Medical Center. There, he underwent more than 20 surgeries on his leg and back. Wihbe added: “I have a very strong wife and two kids, 13 and 10 years old. Since the day of the injury, my wife is always next to me.”

This story doesn’t end there.

Dr. Akram Saad is a senior oncologist and pain specialist at Sheba and also a member of the Druze community. Dr. Saad lost his father, Commander Fouad Saad, when IDF headquarters in Tyre Lebanon was blown up by a Hezbollah suicide bomber in 1982. Dr. Saad is proud of the unique unit where Jews, Druze, and Bedouins serve side by side.

Dr. Saad was doing a residency in London on Oct. 7. He immediately flew back to Israel to join his unit, serving as a battalion doctor in the north for 187 days. Despite getting injured at one point, he returned to his duties. He was in command of the medical team that rescued and treated Wihbe Awad and the other injured soldiers.

An enduring friendship was formed at that moment.

Wihbe has been hospitalized for nearly six months in the “Returning to Life” department and eagerly awaits the day he can return home to his wife and children. Wihbe has shown remarkable resilience and determination throughout his recovery. Despite the numerous surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, he remains hopeful and committed to regaining his strength and mobility. The support of his family, friends, and the medical team at Sheba has been instrumental in his journey.

In May at Sheba’s Jusidman Cancer Center, Dr. Saad received the President’s Medal of Excellence for his significant contribution to the country and his outstanding dedication, an honor he considers to be shared with Wihbe.

Am Yisrael Chai.