Reuven Made the Police Proud

October 18, 2024

Reuven Ben Frech, 26 years old from Gedera, is a member of the Israeli Police’s Yoav Unit, which operates in the Southern District of Israel. This unit is known for handling complex and dangerous operations, including counter-terrorism and maintaining public order, particularly in the sensitive areas bordering Gaza.

The morning of Oct. 7, Reuven was at his parents’ home in Ashkelon when he heard non-stop sirens. At 07:05, he received a message from his commander, the legendary Amin Akhondov z”l, reporting an infiltration of terrorists from the Gaza Strip. Without hesitation, Reuven threw on his sandals and a t-shirt, jumped into his car, and raced south, despite the ongoing missile fire.

As he made his way toward his team near Netivot, Reuven witnessed scenes of horror – bodies scattered on the roads, overturned and burned cars, and the smell of smoke filling the air. While driving through Sderot, he encountered heavily armed terrorists standing by a white pickup truck. At first, Reuven thought they were IDF or special forces, but within seconds, he realized they were Hamas fighters, wearing headbands and holding AK-47s and grenades.

Reuven reacted quickly, firing his pistol and hitting two of the terrorists before the others unleashed a hail of bullets at his car. He was critically wounded – shot in the leg, hand, and back – but managed to keep driving, bleeding profusely. Despite the pain, Reuven called his team, screaming that he had been shot by terrorists. He reached Kibbutz Yakhini, where Border Police officers and civilians, some of them injured, were stationed. An Israeli citizen named Tzachi and a Border Police officer began to help him, but the terrorists who were chasing him caught up and continued firing.

With incredible determination, Reuven drove a few more kilometers before stopping at the Yoshibia Junction, where he was found by local residents and survivors of the Nova party massacre. Two men, Olam and Yogev, who had escaped the party, helped load Reuven into their vehicle and rushed him to a local hospital, saving his life.

From that moment, Reuven began his long journey of recovery.

Reuven was hospitalized from December to April, including at Sheba Medical Center, where he entered rehabilitation. The personal connection Reuven has built with the physiotherapists and occupational therapists has been an essential part of his physical and mental recovery especially when he was re-hospitalized, which was very mentally difficult for him.

A year later, Reuven is still in rehabilitation at Sheba Medical Center, with a bullet lodged in his spine and metal rods holding his leg together. Despite the challenges, Reuven is fighting to regain his ability to walk and return to his life.

Throughout his rehabilitation, Reuven has expressed deep gratitude to his family, friends, medical teams, and especially to his wife Tal, who has been by his side every step of the way.

He also credits the outstanding physiotherapists and occupational therapists at Sheba, who supported him during his initial hospitalization and continue to assist him now.

With the incredible support of his medical team and family, and friends, Reuven continues to fight every day, hoping to leave the hospital soon and return to the life he loves alongside his wife and family.

Am Yisrael Chai.