Channels

Photo: AP
Golani soldier at Strip
Photo: AP
Reproduction photo: Tzafrir Abayov
Yehuda Balles was killed in action
Reproduction photo: Tzafrir Abayov

Golani troops mourn comrade

Golani Brigade 13 fighters realize they are facing a difficult war in Gaza when commander of veteran company says, 'bring urgent rescue, I have soldier with head injury'

Soldiers of Brigade 13 of the Golani Division were aware by Thursday, shortly before entering northern Gaza, that a difficult war against the terrorists was awaiting them.

 

During the morning hours, when exchanges of gunfire did not cease for a moment, there were still smiles. At 14:03, the smiles disappeared from the faces of the fighters. Staff Sergeant Yehuda Bassel was hit.

 

The first one to get on the radio with the news was the commander of the veteran company, Captain Eliezer Peretz. "I have a soldier with a head injury," he said.

 

Captain Peretz demanded a rescue: "Bring me urgent rescue, the soldier must be taken out of here as fast as possible."

 

An armored tank used also as an ambulance was rushed to Peretz's position. En route it encountered sniper fire, and the rescue mission was delayed. The fighting continued, and the doctor mobilized to treat the injured soldier was forced to be delayed due to the level of unending gunfire.

 


Under heavy fire: IDF troops return fire in Gaza (Photo: AP)

 

At this stage an Apache chopper was dispatched to aid the forces. Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Yoav Mordechai directed the helicopter to the house containing Peretz. Meanwhile, Peretz called for a rapid Another tank advanced as the helicopter hovered above.

 

At 14:28 the tank arrived at the house's entrance and soldiers evacuated their injured comrade under heavy fire.

 

The next stage in the mission was to quickly transport the soldier to the evacuation helicopter. Yoav mobilized a force from the naval ships positioned near the improvised helicopter landing pad in Gaza.

 

First Lieutenant Rafi Safiked, who formally commanded the brigade, came on the radio, and together with Yoav, coordinated the rescue operation over the communications network.

 

Area flooded with terrorists

 

Rafi advanced his forces towards the injured soldier, and Yoav moved the Apache helicopter into position for the new mission, which was to open an access route for an ambulance to connect with Rafi's forces.

 

The area was flooded with terrorists as the army believed it would be before the operation. The gunmen increased the pressure, and fire on the forces was incessant.

 

At a certain stage a dilemma was created, when other combat forces requested the helicopter for backup, but Yoav decided that the most important decision was to rapidly evacuate the injured soldier from the area, and therefore the helicopter continued to accompany the rescue operation.

 

The 'tank-ambulance' reached the landing pad and from there the soldier was taken to the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheva.

 

From the moment of the injury the eyes of the soldiers said it all. Everyone knew that one does not come out alive from a head injury. The feeling of distress affected all of the soldiers without except. Yoav noticed this. Within seconds he regained his composure and strengthened his troops. "You are a strong company and you will not break. Continue as you are, forward, I'm on my way to you," he said over the radio.

 

The IDF is checking weather Staff Sergeant Yehuda Bassel was hit from, among other options, friendly fire, following the intense fire exchanges in the area.

 

No conclusions have been made however and friendly fire is only one possibility that has been raise. The full investigation will be complete only when regiment commander and his soldiers come home safely from the battle zone.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.07.06, 01:30
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment