Israeli Reservist Reflects on 1,000 Days Since October 7 Attacks and Fallen Comrade

One thousand days after the October 7 attacks, Israeli reservist officer Ohavya Sharabi recalls the moment he was called back to Israel, the injuries he sustained, and the death of Sergeant Major Alexander (Alex) Filin. Sharabi describes how the day of the attacks divided time into before and after, as Israel awoke to a new reality of terror infiltrations, civilian murders, and kidnappings in communities near Gaza. On October 8, Sharabi was already in the Gaza border area, where he was later wounded by a direct rocket hit but continued fighting despite his injuries.

Sharabi continued serving in the reserves until June 17, 2026, when during an operation in Lebanon, his unit encountered a powerful explosive device. Filin was killed in the blast, which Sharabi believes saved the lives of others by absorbing the explosion's main force. Sharabi, also wounded, managed the incident and cared for the injured before seeking treatment himself. He reflects on the lasting invisible scars of war and the deep lessons about Israeli unity it taught him.

Raised in a large Haredi family in Beitar Illit and once opposed to military service, Sharabi now serves as a reservist officer. He emphasizes that on the battlefield, divisions such as religious affiliation or political views disappear, replaced by a shared commitment to each other's safety. Sharabi calls for continued unity and mutual responsibility among all Israelis, not only soldiers but civilians, medical staff, volunteers, and others, beyond times of conflict.

Marking the weekly Torah portion of Pinchas, Sharabi highlights the importance of taking responsibility and acting for the common good. He urges Israelis not to wait for another war to remember their shared identity and to honor the sacrifices of those like Filin by maintaining solidarity and mutual care in everyday life. He concludes with a blessing for Filin's memory and a declaration that the people of Israel live on.