“The soldier began shaking in my grasp,” recalls Dr. Shachaf, the physician serving with the Givati Brigade’s Shaked Battalion. “During the evacuation in the APC, he started murmuring, his vital signs plummeted. However, instead of adhering to the typical medical protocol, I deemed it wiser to defer the procedure.”
Since the conflict’s onset, Dr. Shachaf has treated approximately 80 wounded soldiers from his unit. Despite sustaining injuries twice in Gaza himself, he returned to the battlefield twice to provide care and engage in combat. “I persuaded the doctor from the elite Israeli Air Force Unit 669 not to proceed with the procedure and advised letting the hospital handle it. Two days later, I learned that my unorthodox decision had saved him. He had minor lung tears, and such a procedure could have proved fatal.”
Refusing a particular treatment regimen, Dr. Shachaf prioritized his return to active duty: “Amidst the intense fighting in Gaza, I experienced discomfort while on the move, suffering severe pains, convinced I had twisted my ankle. I persisted in combat because I couldn’t abandon my comrades. After a month of continued operations and field treatments, medical tests revealed ankle fractures and muscle tears. Although surgery was recommended, I opted to expedite my return to the front lines.”
“After rejoining the battalion,” he elaborates, “I attended to a soldier wounded by RPG fire, evacuated him to safety in a vehicle, only for us to be struck by an anti-tank missile. Fortunately, I shielded the first casualty and positioned myself behind another soldier, ensuring their safety. Initially, I checked on everyone else’s condition, believing I was unscathed. It was only later that I noticed I was bleeding. Removing my vest, I discovered two shrapnel fragments lodged in my chest.”
“At Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, approximately 20 shrapnel fragments were extracted from my palm. Thankfully, I received exceptional care from a doctor familiar with my case, specializing in palm injuries. Despite familial concerns, I returned to Gaza within 48 hours.”
The soldier whose life was saved by Dr. Shachaf’s unconventional decision is Romano Shavit, who reflects, “My life hung in the balance due to the shrapnel’s trajectory. Had Dr. Shachaf chosen differently, I likely wouldn’t be here today.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
As Rav Jungreis would sing about him: ועמך כולם צדיקים. This can only be a Jew with a neshama that Hashem crafted with His infinite wisdom. This defies nature.