Critically Injured IDF Soldier Regains Consciousness 41 Days After 30 Blood Transfusions, Lifesaving Operations

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — One of the most seriously injured soldiers in the Gaza war has regained consciousness after nearly two months in Soroka ICU. 21-year-old Ari Spitz, 21, a combat soldier in the Givati Brigade, was critically injured in Gaza at the end of February. Spitz was airlifted to Soroka Medical Center where doctors and medical staff fought for his life.

Ari’s mother Leah Spitz recounted: “After Ari opened his eyes on Thursday, he responded to a question we asked him, as if he was reborn.” After waking him up, the doctors had to sedate him again, and only managed to wean him off on Monday, according to a Ynet report.

Dr. Amit Frankel, a senior physician at Soroka Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, said Ari “was airlifted to the trauma room at Soroka Medical Center in critical condition via helicopter. His complex injury required a prolonged surgery – following which, he was transferred to the hospital’s general Intensive Care Unit, where he’s being treated while being sedated and intubated.”

“At this stage, there’s no immediate threat to his life, but it’s clear to all of us that he still has a long and challenging road ahead of him. We will continue to treat him with dedication and stand by his family as needed,” Dr. Frenkel added.

“We’re now after 41 days of a long journey. It’s a great miracle,” Leah said.

“Ari is still intubated, but we’re communicating with him through blinking. We won’t really know his condition until they remove the breathing tube. He was emotional. His recovery will take time. But his story will be a good one. He’s strong and a hero,” she added.

“He was born on the night of the attack on the Park Hotel,” Ari’s mother told Ynet in an interview a few weeks ago. “On Passover, he will be 22 and we dream that by then he will be able to be at home. We brought a child into a difficult reality. When my husband and I were on our way to Soroka in the car, we chose life. We made the decision that we choose life, and that Ari will have a happy life and we will be there for him no matter what.”

Ari was injured from an explosion in the Zeitoun neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip, and soldiers around him were certain he was dead. The battalion’s combat medic examined him and noticed he had a weak pulse. From that moment the soldiers fought to save his life before he was ultimately delivered to Soroka Medical Center via helicopter.

At the hospital, Ari underwent surgeries following very severe limb injuries. “He entered Gaza with his head held high, with a clear understanding of why he was going in,” his mother said. “My son experiences one miracle after another. He just needs a few more miracles. Ari received 30 blood transfusions and survived the evacuation to Soroka. He fought to stay alive. He will live a full and good life. He had so many miracles on the way here.”

Ari’s family shared updates on his condition via their WhatsApp group. “We wish to share the good news with you. Ari’s progress today is a miracle. He’s been fully conscious since the morning hours and is communicating with us. He’s still intubated so he can’t talk, but has shared smiles with the medical staff.”