Two IDF Reservists and Lifelong Friends Wounded by Missile in Lebanon, Recover Side by Side

Two Israeli Defense Forces reservists, who have been close friends for nearly two decades, are recovering side by side at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center after being seriously wounded in Lebanon. Sgt. Maj. H. and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Y. were struck by a Kornet anti-tank missile while stationed at a forward position in the Margaliot area. Both men suffered extensive shrapnel wounds and are currently undergoing complex rehabilitative care.

The Details

The attack occurred approximately three weeks ago when a Kornet missile struck a building the soldiers had captured. Sgt. Maj. H., 37, described the impact as feeling as if someone had hit him over the head with a table. He recalled opening his eyes immediately after the blast to find his friend, Sgt. Maj. (res.) Y., lying next to him.\n\nSgt. Maj. (res.) Y., 36, suffered critical injuries including a piece of shrapnel that entered his neck, severed an artery, and broke a vertebra in his spine. Both soldiers sustained shrapnel wounds across their bodies, ranging from their faces to their legs. Other members of their team, who were located in an inner room at the time of the strike, remained unharmed.\n\nFollowing the attack, the two men were evacuated by vehicle from Lebanon to Margaliot, and then transported via helicopter to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Dr. Eyal Hashavia, head of Ichilov's trauma division, characterized the injuries as 'complex,' noting that they involved up to five different mechanisms of injury.\n\nTo address these injuries, the reservists have undergone multiple surgeries performed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, ENT specialists, and surgeons specializing in plastic and maxillofacial surgery.\n\nBoth men are fathers—H. has five children and Y. has four—and have logged hundreds of reserve duty days together in Gaza and Lebanon since October 7. Despite their injuries, both have expressed a commitment to return to reserve duty following their rehabilitation.

Context

The incident took place against the backdrop of the 2026 Lebanon war, a conflict closely linked to a broader war with Iran. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated significantly since March 2026, resulting in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and the displacement of more than one million people.\n\nA U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire took effect on April 16, 2026, aimed at pausing the violence. However, the ceasefire has been fragile, with reports of violations from both sides. This specific attack occurred despite the existing ceasefire arrangements, highlighting the continued volatility of the border region.\n\nThroughout the conflict, the Israel Health Ministry has reported thousands of casualties from missile and rocket attacks. Multiple incidents involving the Givati Brigade, the unit to which these soldiers belong, have been reported in southern Lebanon, underscoring the high risk faced by IDF forces maintaining positions during the truce.

What's Next

Sgt. Maj. H. and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Y. remain hospitalized at Ichilov, where they continue to draw emotional strength from their long-term friendship. Their recovery will involve extensive physical and psychological rehabilitation before they can attempt a return to military service.\n\nMeanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the 10-day truce. The persistence of anti-tank missile attacks like the one that wounded the two reservists suggests that a lasting peace remains elusive, and further escalations are possible as the ceasefire window closes.\n\nFor now, the two friends maintain a hopeful outlook, issuing a joint message to the Israeli public stating that 'better days will come' and urging others not to lose hope.