A lone soldier and South African native, Ben, and his trusted canine companion, Jack, were at the forefront of a war in the Gazan city of Jabalia. Positioned in front of a building serving as a terrorist stronghold, Ben released Jack to scout ahead of his elite unit. However, before his trusted companion could enter, gunfire erupted. Jack was killed in action, sacrificing himself but saving his unit from any casualties. Unfortunately, Ben sustained serious wounds and had to be rushed to the hospital, later being transferred to Sheba’s ICU.

Clinging to life, Ben received two blood transfusions and was immediately taken into surgery, which lasted over eight hours. It was the first of many grueling operations. Meanwhile, the Army faced the difficult task of notifying Ben’s family in South Africa. Acting with urgency, they flew to his bedside. Standing before his sedated son, Ben’s father held onto one wish – to hear his son say “aba” again. On the first day of Hanukkah, a true miracle occurred. Ben, emerging from a month of sedation, whispered, “aba.” The room filled with a mix of joyous embraces and tears. However, Ben’s tears of joy later turned to sorrow when his unit informed him of Jack’s heroic sacrifice. The loyalty and companionship Ben found in Jack were truly irreplaceable.

Now on the path to rehabilitation, Ben faces a long and challenging road ahead. His parents are overflowing with gratitude for the dedicated doctors and nurses at Sheba. “We couldn’t have asked for a better place for Ben,” his father expressed. Amidst the care, a tapestry of compassion, desire, and love envelops every moment of Ben’s recovery.

As part of the solidarity delegation from South Africa to Israel, African Friends of Sheba visited Ben in the intensive care unit on the day he opened his eyes for the first time. Tears rolled down his cheeks when they whispered to him that they had come from South Africa to support him and his parents.