IDF mission to save girl’s life
A Golani IDF battalion commander sent a 21-year-old commando from the Gaza front line to donate life-saving bone marrow to a 5-year-old girl battling leukemia. His saliva sample, taken on IDF induction, was a genetic match and the transplant took place at Hadassah Ein Kerem.
It wasn’t bad before
Arab blogger Hoda Jannat exposes the truth about Gaza before Hamas launched its attack on Oct 7.
“Eternity of Israel”
An exhibition of Israeli resilience replaces the usual posters that are displayed on the walls of the departure escalator at Ben Gurion airport. “Eternity of Israel” takes passengers on a journey through history showing how the nation survives and recovers from every tragedy, as it will after Oct 7 2023.
Kibbutz Nir Oz celebrates Shavuot
For the first time since Oct 7 2023, Kibbutz Nir Oz residents gathered to mark the Shavuot holiday in the community’s fields. The traditional agricultural exhibition was led by former Israeli hostage Gadi Moses who blessed the volunteers and Thai workers.
The first brit milah since Oct 7
Itay and Moran, who survived Oct 7 2023 at Israel’s Kibbutz Be’eri, held the first brit milah ceremony there since the attack. They named their newborn son Bar Shavit after Moran’s parents Yuval and Maayan Bar - murdered by Hamas, and Shavit Lev - the IDF soldier who rescued them.
Teens rebuild farm of fallen hero
The first Israel Youth Conference of HaShomer HaChadash (see previously) opened with hundreds of teens from across Israel rehabilitating the Philip Farm in the Negev. The farm’s manager, Yochai Hershberg, fell fighting Hamas on Oct 7 2023 and the farm had been unattended since.
Promoted to Brigadier at 80
At 80 years old, lifelong armored corps veteran Moshe Peled was busy hauling tanks on reserve duty - until the IDF Chief of Staff surprised him with a promotion to Reserve Brigadier General in front of his proud family. IDSF article reflects his dedication and loyalty to the Jewish State.
From lab to battlefield in 18 months
The inside story of the unprecedented successful development timescale of Israel’s new laser defense system. Already operational for several months, the rapidly deployed system’s success rates surpassed all projections.
The first lasers to combat drones
During the Swords of Iron War, the IDF successfully intercepted dozens of drones using new laser interception systems operated by air defense personnel. Israel is the first country in the world to field high-powered, operational laser systems at scale. Rafael’s Iron Beam should be ready end-2025.
Living the dream
The Flag March on Jerusalem Day 2025 is a festive procession from the City Center to the Western Wall to mark the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem. As Avi Abelow describes it, “Jerusalem – we are living the dream of our ancestors.” See the giant Israeli flag unfurled in the Kotel Plaza.