Ofir Dahari, a 50-year-old Border Police Officer.
The married father of five lives in a small community near Ashkelon. He and his family were woken by sirens and rocket explosions at 6:30 a.m. on October 7th. It was a frightening, non-stop barrage. After his wife and children were secure in the family’s safe room, Ofir met his unit and headed to Sderot. While entering the city, Ofir recalls,
“We heard of terrorists entering Sderot and killing men, women, and children on its streets. We learned the police station was overrun and seriously damaged.”
With this information, Ofir and his men got out of their vehicles and immediately neutralized approaching terrorists.
Ordered on to nearby Kibbutz Nir Am, Ofir’s team saw terrorists concentrated in one location, the kibbutz’s hen house. The goal was to prevent them from entering the kibbutz, in addition to rescuing a Golani team under heavy fire. During the battle, Ofir was shot by a sniper; his friend was also hit while pulling him to safety. The two fighters were shot multiple times and prayingShema Yisrael when additional forces arrived and rescued them. All terrorists were killed, none breached the kibbutz. However, tragically, Ofir lost one of his fighters.
Ofir was hospitalized for three weeks, during which time he underwent five surgeries. His most serious injuries affect his dominant hand, including broken bones and torn nerves. Additional surgeries are almost certain. However, he has already started his rehabilitation.
Ofir says,
“I’m optimistic, but realistic, about my long journey ahead. Beit Halochem volunteers visited the whole time I was in hospital and said they had been in the same shape as me. That meant a lot.”