Mevaser Duvit, a soldier and student at the Karnei Shomron Hesder Yeshiva, was critically injured in combat in Khan Younis, Gaza, when a grenade was thrown into the tank where he was serving. The blast left him with serious shrapnel wounds and severe lung damage from smoke inhalation. He spent two weeks in critical condition, sedated and on a ventilator.
Now, a year and a half into his ongoing rehabilitation, Mevaser has found a meaningful way to give back—by volunteering at “Nofeshon,” a summer camp run by the yeshiva for children with special needs.
Though he still requires rehabilitation, Mevaser has returned to his Torah studies and recently chose to spend his time helping at the camp. “As a soldier, you feel you’re contributing in the most meaningful way. After the injury, not only did I lose that ability, but I also became someone who only receives—support from doctors, family, and all of Israel,” he shared. “Volunteering at Nofeshon gives me back my sense of purpose. I want to keep giving, not just receiving.”
Among the children Mevaser mentors at camp is Rafael Horowitz, a boy with special needs. Rafael’s mother expressed deep gratitude: “Nofeshon Shomron isn’t just a vacation—it’s a powerful reminder that our children deserve joy, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. And parents deserve a moment of relief. This is mutual responsibility at its finest. Mevaser, with his humility, never told us what he went through. He’s full of charm and life. We’re lucky to have him, and I believe he has a bright future ahead, God willing.”
Mevaser joined the IDF’s Armored Corps in April 2023—just a week before October 7. His unit was among the first to enter Gaza, and by the fourth day of the war, he was already deep in enemy territory. “We went in about a kilometer to recover the bodies of hostages,” he recalled. “I knew I was part of a frontline unit. I was firing shells, and later we learned that we had killed dozens of terrorists. It was a moment of satisfaction.”
Looking back on everything he has experienced, Mevaser remains steadfast in his faith. “I believe everything we go through has meaning. If I survived, then clearly God has a plan for me. That gives me strength, and I try to follow the path He sets out for me.”
Eli Cohen, CEO of the Karnei Shomron Hesder Yeshiva and Nofeshon Shomron, praised Mevaser’s dedication: “Seeing Mevaser this week confirmed for me that we’re on the right path. His name, ‘Mevaser,’ means ‘one who brings good news’—and that’s what he represents. He embodies the values, spirit, and goodness that define our people. He and the others who volunteered at the camp this year are a true inspiration.”