The Story of Shahar Firshtman

From South America to the Gaza Strip, Shahar Firshtman's journey, and how the voice of a female combat medic calmed him and kept him conscious

By: Jessica Yohanan

Everyone will remember where they were on the 7th of October 2023, whether you were living in the States, in Europe, or in Israel, the shocking and terrifying news of terrorists infiltrating Israeli territories and massacring villages, cities and bases in the south of Israel was just the tip of the iceberg for everyone, but especially for Shahar Firshtman. Shahar, is a 23 year old passionate Israeli who served as a combat soldier in the IDF. He started his service in the “Oketz” unit but got injured during a parachute landing exercise. He was determined to continue as a “lochem” (a combat soldier) so after recovering, he rejoined the Givati Southern Command. He finished his service in early 2023 and decided to travel all over South America. Returning in June with beautiful memories, he was eager to start studying and get his degree. His first year of university was supposed to start in October, but on the 7th his plans changed drastically. 

Like many, Shahar was awoken that morning by a barrage of rockets in Tel Aviv. Unclear of the size of the event he began to realize that something extreme and unimaginable was happening in the south of Israel. After getting a better understanding he decided to take his gun and brand new Jeep which he had bought just two weeks before and drive to the south to help and save anyone he could. After witnessing very difficult images that day, he was officially drafted in the reserves the day after, when he formally went to his base to begin training for the battle field. Due to the surprise and urgency of the war, Shahar and his team had only two weeks of reserve training, but they had no choice and entered Gaza. The mission was to eliminate Hamas and bring home the hostages. The fear of the unknown was paralyzing but after entering, he knew there was no other choice but to finish the mission. 

Shahar’s teammate  built a radio out of what they found.. after what felt like an eternity, they were able to hear Israeli Gal Galatz Radio.. for the first time since entering Gaza, and felt close to home. 

Their team mission was to enter terrorist homes and remove all weapons and potential threats. Vivid memories of the raids of these terrorist homes was very hard for Shahar. He explains that seeing pictures of little babies that reminded him of his nephew made it especially hard. Being disconnected from the world was also challenging. The soldiers aren’t allowed to use their phones, there’s no access to social media, news, radios, they felt like they’re on a different planet. Until Shahar’s teammate was able to use his creativity and knowledge and build a radio out of what they found in abandoned homes, after what felt like eternity, they were able to hear Israeli Gal Galatz Radio.. and for the first time since he entered Gaza, Shahar felt close to home. 

A day before the first ceasefire Shahar and his team got orders to pull back and post at a building. What they thought  was a safe location quickly turned deadly as one of the team members noticed a potential terrorist sneaking by. They quickly discovered there was a potential ambush so they surrounded the area and began a fierce battle against 6 terrorists. After the successful battle that eliminated all 6 terrorists with no injuries on our side, they found the home the terrorists were staying at was filled with RPGs and explosives. It was a miracle they all got out safely. 

After the ceasefire, Shahar came back to Gaza for another attempt to battle and bring home hostages, he was met with another encounter against Hamas terrorists, this time the surprise attack left Shahar and a few or his teammates wounded and in critical condition. A terrorist was able to peak out of a tunnel and shoot two RPGs at Shahar and his team. He explains that he lost consciousness at direct impact of the RPG and woke up to chaos and his teammates screaming from pain and fear. The burning pain from his arm and leg made him think he was on fire, but it was the pain of shrapnel cutting through his body.

…through the entire ordeal he was fully conscious and felt every ounce of pain. He will never forget the fear he saw in the eyes of his teammates  and commanders as they  watched him bleed. 

Shahar was saved by his teammates and commanders. He was evacuated to a safe zone in Gaza where he was attended by medics. Shahar explained that through the entire ordeal he was fully conscious and felt every ounce of pain. He will never forget the fear he saw in the eyes of his teammates  and commanders as they watched him bleed.  After a long bumpy ride with the medic team he felt particularly safe when he heard the voice of a female combat medic that kept him awake and conscious. His description of her was that her voice kept him calm and at ease as they evacuated him onto a helicopter and back to an Israeli hospital. Shahar had two blood transfusions, his left shoulder, arm, and leg were badly injured by shrapnel that remains in his body. He was in a wheelchair for a few weeks and then crutches and now graduated to a cane.

Shahar struggles, but works hard to achieve a full recovery mentally and physically. He specifically  thanks Beit Halochem for their care and being a safe haven .

… after arriving to Beit Halochem in Tel Aviv, he was able to recover with dignity and support. He does physiotherapy and, he has made life long friends and keeps his mindset positive.

He explains that after arriving to Beit Halochem in Tel Aviv, he was able to recover with dignity and support. He does physiotherapy and he has made life long friends and keeps his mindset positive. Shahar credits Beit Halochem for saving him physically and mentally. The care, the love, the quality of service, he is grateful and looks forward to a full recovery.