The Story of Jonathan Ben Hamou

Jonathan Ben Hamou

On October 26th the IDF started the ground operation in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas terrorist organization when the 7th Brigrade crossed the border and entered the Gaza Strip. In the first vehicle, a D9 bulldozer of the 603rd Battalion Heavy Engineering Equipment (TZAMA) Unit, ahead of the tanks and troops, sat D9 Unit Commander 1st Lt. Jonathan Ben Hamou.
Their mission was to create a safe corridor from the east border of the Gaza strip to the sea shore in the west by cleaning the whole area from bombs, hidden missile launchers, tunnels, terrorist hidings and headquarters.

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After an intensive week of action around the clock Ben Hamou’s D9 was suddently hit by a RPG missile which was shot from a nearby hiding spot in front of them. The missile entered the cabin, hit his leg and continued to the back side of the vehicle where the fuel was stored. The D9 exploded and burnt for hours, but Ben Hamou and his soldier managed to escape just a few minutes before, by jumping from the side window next to the driver seat. They were rescued from the field and flown to hospital.
Ben Hamou’s leg was badly damaged and had to be amputated. After a week in hospital, he was transferred to the rehabilitation center where he learned how to walk with a prosthetic.

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Today Ben Hamou is very grateful and happy that he survived this attack on his life. Since then, he is only looking forward, how to build a fulfilling and successful life, and make a meaningful contribution to society.