IDF soldier Najam Wahel celebrated his 21st birthday in the hospital on Wednesday. Wahel has been in the hospital since early January, when he was critically wounded in a “friendly fire” incident while fighting in Gaza.
His condition has improved dramatically since he was first brought to the hospital, but he remains seriously impaired and unable to talk. Staff at the Sheba Medical Center said Wahel continues to make progress in his rehabilitation exercises and has even begun practicing walking.
Wahel's friends, family, and fellow soldiers from his Golani unit threw a party for him in honor of the occasion. The soldiers, who were granted a special leave for the occasion, sang birthday songs and gathered in Wahel's room to celebrate with him. Donors gave the group a large cake with the Golani symbol drawn in frosting.
As the party progressed, Wahel's father spoke to reporters and described his son's partial recovery as “a miracle.” Wahel was comatose for a month, he recalled, often in intensive care. “We believe in G-d, and our faith gave us strength,” he said.
Najam may not be able to speak, but he has learned to smile again, his father added.
One of the friends celebrating with Wahel was his commander, Gal Or, who was wounded in the same incident. Or attended the party in a wheelchair.
Or spoke to his soldiers at the event, saying, “It's a little hard to see all of you right now. Before we went into Gaza I told you that two or three of us might not make it home. Two never came home."
"What I didn't tell you,” Or continued, “is that our true power is in caring for the wounded. Not just one or two weeks after the injury, but every day of every year."