Israeli Reservist Wounded in Lebanon Battle Reveals Medical Failures and Recovery Struggles

Jordan, an Israeli reservist who served 920 days during the recent war, was severely wounded in March during a battle in Maroun al-Ras, southern Lebanon. His dramatic experience was recorded on a body camera. In an interview on Kan Reshet Bet, Jordan recounted the moments of the attack, the life-saving medical treatment he received, and the critical shortages of medical supplies that endangered soldiers.

Jordan described being in a vehicle with his battalion commander when they came under heavy fire, including mortar shells. He was injured in his hand, shoulder, and abdomen and recalled the arrival of a medic followed by a doctor on site, whose presence he credited with saving his life. The battalion commander insisted on having a doctor accompany them, refusing to proceed without one, a decision Jordan said was crucial to his survival. However, the doctor was deployed without proper medical equipment, and Jordan was asked to leave the convoy to fetch supplies, which he was unable to do due to lack of medical knowledge and the situation.

After being hospitalized and stabilized, Jordan was sent home due to a lack of rehabilitation space. He only began rehabilitation two and a half weeks ago and was recently informed he must leave the facility in three weeks, despite feeling unprepared. Jordan also suffers from psychological difficulties and physical impairments, including loss of function in his dominant left hand, affecting basic activities like writing and eating.

Jordan shared the personal toll of his extended service, including separation from his four-year-old daughter and the closure of his business. Initially intending to serve only a few months, he remained for over two years due to circumstances. He also recounted surviving an explosion in Gaza while rescuing the weapon of Captain Daniel Peretz, who was killed and whose body was abducted during the conflict, hoping the act would bring some comfort to Peretz’s family.