Another Yavneh alumnus hurt in Gaza
A FORMER Yavneh College student currently serving in the IDF is on the road to recovery after he received shrapnel wounds to his shoulder in an incident in Gaza that claimed the life of his unit commander.
A FORMER Yavneh College student currently serving in the IDF is on the road to recovery after he received shrapnel wounds to his shoulder in an incident in Gaza that claimed the life of his unit commander.
Sam Gosling, 22, was with his unit Nachal Orev (anti-tank forces) in a Gaza building when an anti-tank missile struck their position early on Saturday morning, Israel time. While Gosling received only light injuries, his unit commander Roy Peles was killed. Eight other soldiers from the battalion remain in hospital with serious injuries.
After spending several days recuperating at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, Gosling is now home and could be back in action as soon as next week.
Despite the experience, images of Gosling on Facebook show him smiling and in good spirits in his hospital bed. His mother Susan flew from Australia to be by his side. Speaking to The AJN from Israel, she said the phone call informing her of her son’s injury was the realisation of every parent’s greatest fear.
“As parents, [Gosling’s father] Anthony and I are incredibly proud and grateful for having such a loyal, compassionate and loving son, whose dedication to Israel is an inspiration,” she said. “But learning he was wounded was frightening, especially being so far away from him.
“Having come here, getting that first hug and seeing his smile is just what a mother needed and I think it’s been therapeutic for Sam, being with his mum and little sister.”
Since news of Gosling’s injury reached Melbourne, he and the family have been flooded with messages of support. Susan said: “More than anything, I have been so thankful for the immense support Sam has here. From our dear friends, hospital staff, the hundreds of strangers visiting him in hospital, army personnel, the Michael Levine lone soldiers centre, fellow soldiers in his unit and others who have made aliyah. They are all one big family caring for a brother and for that I am incredibly grateful.”
Last week, The AJN reported that another former Yavneh student, Daniel Wein, was also recovering in hospital after being shot in the leg while serving in Gaza.
ADAM BLAU
All smiles: Sam Gosling is on the road to recovery. Photo: Facebook
comments