United Hatzalah Paramedic Recovering at Reuth TLV

Moshe Weizman, a paramedic and ambulance driver at United Hatzalah, was among the first responders to arrive on the scene of the October 7 Hamas attack.  He provided first aid until he, himself was injured by rocket shrapnel in his shoulder and leg in the city of Sderot, for which he underwent three surgeries.  He is now undergoing rehabilitation at Reuth TLV and shares his story:

“On October 7, I woke up to the sound of sirens at my parents’ house in central Israel where I was visiting for the holiday. Every time there is an escalation, I go to Sderot to help residents of the South especially vulnerable to such attacks, which is what I did on that morning as well.

While driving, I received a report that our team in Sderot had been hit. I arrived in the city and immediately began to evacuate the wounded to hospitals. I was the first ambulance to arrive at the scene of the Nova party and then proceeded to Kibbutz Be’eri. In coordination with the army, I provided an initial response to the wounded, directed evacuation helicopters, and evacuated the injured in coordination with other ambulances. Unfortunately, I also had to pronounce a lot of people dead. I stayed in Be’eri until Sunday evening and then returned to Sderot. While in the field, I came under terrorist fire and had several encounters with them. I wasn’t sure I’d make it out alive, but I knew that saving lives would be worth it.

I am at the beginning of the rehabilitation process, but I can already tell that I am in good and professional hands. I saw horrible things that affected me severely and for which I will also require rehabilitation. But I am optimistic, focusing on my recovery, and working hard to get back on my feet and keep saving lives.”

For more information, go to Channel 13 [in Hebrew]