Dvir Bar-Chai, one of the Golani soldiers who was badly wounded in Gaza, was an activist for Gush Katif before the expulsion three years ago. He was carrying an orange flag to raise on the ruins of the destroyed site of Jewish homes when a terrorist fired a mortar shell at his unit. He now is in intensive care, and his condition is stable.
Can't see the video? Click here. In the video, Dvir's father, chairman of the southern Hevron Hills Regional Council, discusses his son's plan to return to Gush Katif and wishes success to the IDF soldiers still in Gaza.
One of 20 soldiers who were hit by the shell, he now is in serious but stable condition at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. Difficulties in evacuating him left with a serious loss of blood, and his condition initially was considered life threatening.
Dvir is the son of southern Hevron Hills Regional Council chairman Tzviki Bar-Chai. Both father and son were active in the campaign against Disengagement program, which resulted in the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif, northern Gaza and parts of northern Samaria. The government plan also brought about the withdrawal of all IDF forces from Gaza.
The soldier, a member of the famed Golani 51 Brigade that years ago was commanded by IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, took the flag with him after a visit home on Friday, explaining to his parents he wanted to place it on the land where he fought for a Jewish presence in Gaza.
He wanted to raise the flag on the ruins of Gush Katif before he was hurt shortly after his unit entered Gaza on Saturday night, his father said. "He was home on Friday and said, 'Dad, I need to find an orange flag. A foolish decision was made, and I hope that this statement will reach the hearts of the entire public.'"
The expulsion was heralded by calls from many politicians, including then-Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, that Jews never again would return to the area.
The wounded soldier is one of many, including several who were expelled, who have returned to Gush Katif in uniform.
Rabbi Zev Cruz, father of a paratroop officer who was expelled from Netzarim, reached the site of the destroyed community during the ground assault against Hamas terrorists. His father said that his son had mixed feelings about returning to Netzarim.
The officer said he asked himself why the government decided to force Jews out of the area, but he also was happy to return to his former home grounds.