Ethiopian-born Fasa Awitzo arrived in Israel as a young child. The 36-year-old police officer had returned to his Ofakim home early on October 7 following his security shift at the Nova Festival.
When the sirens started, he helped his young family into the safe room and ran to do his duty. He had only driven a short distance when he came upon a terrorist firing into a house. A shootout occurred and the terrorist was killed. Fasa realized he had been hit by bullets and shrapnel in both legs.
He couldn’t move. Out of ammunition, exposed in the middle of the road, a battle raged around him. Unable to fight, Fasa called for reinforcements, and directed fighters to the area.
Evacuated to a hospital in the back of a car, Fasa underwent multiple surgeries over several months. Some shrapnel remains lodged in his legs.
Fasa has begun his rehabilitation at Beit Halochem Be’er Sheva and is already benefiting from physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and working out. His children often join him in the swimming pool. He says,
Beit Halochem really is a home for me and my family.
At the Centre, Fasa spends time with others others who share similar experiences – whether on October 7, during Swords of Iron, or in earlier conflicts. He participates in PTSD support groups. As he says,
People know when you are having a hard day. There are no words to describe how healing it is to be with others who understand.
Seven months after being shot, Fasa’s wife gave birth to their third child. “This baby is our victory.”