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Israel21c

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War in Israel

The unexpected heroes

In times of crisis, the Israeli people always come together. Ordinary citizens have risen to the occasion with extraordinary acts of bravery and courage. These are their stories.

Tali Medina during an interview with AravaTV. (Screenshot: YouTube)
Unexpected heroes
Tali Medina: The milkmaid who wouldn’t leave her cows 
Druze Israeli hero Nasreen Yousef. Photo: screenshot
Unexpected heroes
Saving a village: Nasreen Yousef
Screenshot of released hostage Nili Margalit from “Uvda,” Channel 12
Unexpected heroes
Nili Margalit: Kidnapped nurse treats hostages
Carmel Edan, grandfather of former hostage Abigail Edan. Photo: screenshot from KAN
Unexpected heroes
Family first: Israel's amazing grandparents
Rabbi Shai Graucher. Photo: screenshot
Unexpected heroes
Helping all: Shai Graucher
Oz Davidian, a courageous rescuer on October 7. Photo: screenshot
Unexpected heroes
Rescuing 120: Oz Davidian
Adina Moshe and her late husband, Sa’id David Moshe. Photo courtesy of Elchanan Poupko
Unexpected heroes
Adina Moshe: Begged Hamas to free needier hostage
The late Lt. Col. Alim Abdallah. Photo courtesy of IDF Spokesperson
Unexpected heroes
Defending Israel’s northern front: Lt. Col. Alim Abdallah
Lt. Col. Salman Habaka, an Arab Druze Israeli who fell in the Swords of Iron war. Photo: screenshot
Unexpected heroes
Braving battle twice: Lt. Col. Salman Habaka
Eran Smilansky killed terrorists and rescued fellow kibbutz members on October 7, 2023. Photo by John Jeffay
Unexpected heroes
Potato farmer turned superman: Eran Smilansky 
Ben Shimoni, killed on October 7 as he tried to rescue others. Photo: screenshot
Unexpected heroes
Driving into a massacre: Ben Shimoni
Beraha Astruk, head ophthalmology nurse at Galilee Medical Center. Photo by Roni Albert
Unexpected heroes
Nurse by day, cook by night: Beraha Astruk 
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari gives a statement to the media in Tel Aviv on October 16, 2023. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90
Unexpected heroes
The man explaining it all: Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari
Shlomo Ron, who took a bullet to save his family. Photo: screenshot
War in Israel
The grandpa who tricked the enemy: Shlomo Ron
Matan Abergil at his beret ceremony. Photo by Dima Bullet/Facebook
War in Israel
Sacrificing his life for others: Matan Abergil
Medic Staff Sgt. Dor Ashkenazi, left, and paramedic Sgt. Almog Oren. Photo courtesy of IDF Spokesperson's Unit
War in Israel
Treating the wounded in battle: Dor Ashkenazi and Almog Oren
From left, Ha’Achim founders Asaf Doktor, Yotam Doktor and Yaron Ramon. Photo courtesy of Ha’Achim
War in Israel
Keeping people fed: Doktor brothers
Police Supt. Amit Levy didn’t know if he’d ever see his family again. Photo: screenshot
War in Israel
Preventing a massacre: Police Supt. Amit Levy
Arab Israeli activist Israel Yoseph Haddad uses social media to counter anti-Israel propaganda. Photo courtesy of Yoseph Haddad
War in Israel
Keyboard warrior: Yoseph Haddad 
Dr. Amit Frenkel on Channel 12 News. Photo: screenshot
War in Israel
600 patients in one day: Dr. Amit Frenkel
Brothers in Arms logo
War in Israel
Protecting society: Brothers in Arms
This is a developing story. Contact us if you have a hero to add
Cpl. Amichai Rubin, 23, Lt. Roi Nahari, 23. Photos courtesy of the families
War in Israel
Organ donors: Roi Nahari and Amichai Rubin
Nora Lifshitz, animal rescuer. Photo by Nickola Photography
War in Israel
Animal rescuer: Nora Lifshitz
Rachel Edri pictured as a superhero with a cookie. Digital photo created by Guy Aga
War in Israel
Cookie Savta: Rachel Edri
Prof. Yftach Gepner. Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv University
War in Israel
His brother’s savior: Dr. Yftach Gepner
Dr. Bahir Sirhan from the Galilee Medical Center treats relatives hurt by a missile launched from Lebanon. Photo by Roni Albert
War in Israel
Treating family: Dr. Bahir Sirhan
EMT Moshe Weitzman. Photo courtesy of United Hatzalah
War in Israel
EMT survives missile attack: Moshe Weitzman
Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Noam Tibon. Photo courtesy of IDF Spokesperson via Wikimedia Commons
War in Israel
Kibbutz defender: Major-General Noam Tibon
Awad Darawshe, right, with Ashraf Ayoub, the chapter head of United Hatzalah in Nazareth. Photo courtesy of United Hatzalah
War in Israel
Fallen paramedic: Awad Darawshe
Bedouin minibus driver Yussef Alziadna. Screenshot taken from X (Twitter) @rcuvnegev
War in Israel
Fearless minibus driver: Yussef Alziadna
Elia Natan Lilintal. Photo: screenshot from KAN News
War in Israel
Shooting from his bathroom: Elia Natan Lilintal
The late Angelyn Aguirre. Photo courtesy of the Aguirre family
War in Israel
The caregiver who refused to leave: Angelyn Aguirre
Inbal Rabin Lieberman, left, meeting Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai after she ensured the safety of everyone at her Gaza-border kibbutz. Photo courtesy of Mayor Huldai
War in Israel
Kibbutz savior: Inbal Rabin Lieberman 
Policeman Yigal Singer speaking to reporters from his hospital bed. Screenshot from Channel 12 news Via X (Twitter) Shivam Kahar
War in Israel
Savior of 500: Police officer Yigal Singer
Dany Cushmaro, left, and Tamir Steinman reporting during the war. Screenshot taken from danycushmaro/Instagram
War in Israel
Voices of authority: Dany Cushmaro and Tamir Steinman
Sami Elkrenawi, a Bedouin Arab hotel owner sheltering hundreds of southern evacuees free of charge. Photo courtesy of Sami Elkrenawi
War in Israel
Sheltering refugees: Sami Elkrenawi 
Tali Hadad, a hero of Ofakim. Photo: screenshot
War in Israel
Transporting the wounded: Tali Hadad
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