Rambam Medical Center in Haifa announced Thursday afternoon that the condition of the soldiers wounded in yesterday's deadly incident in southern Lebanon has improved. One of the wounded has regained consciousness and is communicating with his family.
Dr. Assaf Miller, director of the General Intensive Care Unit at Rambam Medical Center, said, "Yesterday around late morning and midday, four wounded soldiers arrived from Lebanon at Rambam Medical Center. All were in serious condition. They were sedated and placed on ventilators in the trauma room before being transferred to our General Intensive Care Unit."
"Their condition stabilized overnight under treatment, and as of this afternoon I can say they are in stable condition. One of the wounded has been taken off the ventilator, regained consciousness, and is now with his family, communicating and speaking with them. We hope that the other three wounded soldiers, whose conditions have also stabilized, will continue to improve over the coming days and will likewise regain consciousness."
Meanwhile, Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, who was killed yesterday in an explosive device blast in southern Lebanon, was laid to rest Thursday at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Family members and friends accompanied him on his final journey.
His mother, Yonat, eulogized him at the funeral.
"Woe is us, my firstborn son. My beautiful one. I can't believe this has happened to us. I never will. You made me a mother and also a grandmother. Together with Eliya, who is like a true daughter to us, you built the sweetest family. You loved what you did, and you always said, 'Mom, in the end everyone dies. So if I'm going to die, at least let it be like this.' The truth is, you were right."
She continued through tears, "God in Heaven, You taught us everything we know about the joy and happiness that filled every corner of our hearts when Harel was born. You taught us to rejoice. Give us the strength to cope with this pain that is tearing our souls apart. Perhaps enough already with this pain that is tearing apart so many families."
His father, Shlomo, said, "You were full of the joy of life, full of mischief, but also full of seriousness. I can say that I envied you. You made us the happiest parents imaginable. To see the family you and Eliya built with your four children-it filled us with excitement and happiness. This is a tremendous test of faith for me."
His widow, Eliya, eulogized him, saying, "I am trying to remember that you told me to be strong. Send me strength. I promise that our children will grow up in a happy home, filled with dancing and joy."