Yona Brief fought for his life for a full year after Hamas emptied 18 bullets into him. It's his birthday today.

Yona Bezalel Brief was a 23-year-old Israeli soldier from Modi’in Maccabim Re’ut, a city west of Jerusalem. He was a combat medic in the elite Duvdevan Unit, part of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Commando Brigade. A graduate of Lapid Yeshiva High School, Yona was described as a young man of strong values, bravery, and dedication. He came from a close-knit family, with parents Hazel and David and five siblings who remained by his side throughout his ordeal.

Military Service and Initial Injury

Before the events of October 7, 2023, Yona had already demonstrated remarkable determination. Approximately five months prior, in May 2023, he was seriously wounded during an operation in Tulkarm, a city in Judea and Samaria. Despite the severity of his injuries, which could have qualified him for a medical discharge, Yona refused to leave his unit. After rehabilitation, he returned to active duty with Duvdevan, the unit made famous by Netflix's Fauda series.

October 7, 2023: The Battle at Kfar Aza

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Yona was among the first responders dispatched to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a small community that became a focal point of the assault.

During the intense fighting, Yona sustained catastrophic injuries. Reports indicate he was hit by 13 bullets, shattering both of his legs, while attempting to help his wounded fellow soldiers, including his best friend Amir Fisher and commander Ben Bronshtein, both of whom were killed in the battle. Despite his wounds, Yona continued to provide medical care to others, embodying extraordinary heroism under fire. His actions helped eliminate dozens of Hamas fighters, but he was left critically wounded.

417 Days of Struggle

Yona was evacuated to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, where he spent the next 417 days in intensive care. His injuries were among the most severe of any soldier from the October 7 attacks, with both legs amputated above the knees and his body ravaged by multiple gunshot wounds. A dedicated team of doctors and nurses fought tirelessly to save him, performing numerous surgeries and administering extensive antibiotic treatments. Throughout this period, Yona remained in critical condition, unable to rise from his bed and barely able to speak, yet he radiated a fierce will to live.

His family, parents David and Hazel, along with his siblings, never left his side, turning his survival into their collective mission. The city of Modi’in and Jewish communities worldwide prayed for his recovery, with a public prayer planned at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on the evening of November 26, 2024, just hours after his condition took a sharp turn for the worse.

Death and Legacy

On November 26, 2024, after more than a year of battling his injuries, Yona Bezalel Brief succumbed to his wounds at Sheba Medical Center.

Yona was buried November 27, 2024 at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem’s military cemetery. Thousands attended and friends, family, and dignitaries spoke of his indomitable spirit, humor, and warmth. Professor Yitshak Kreiss, Director General of Sheba Medical Center, called him “one of the greatest heroes in the history of Israel.”

His mother Hazel delivered a poignant eulogy in English: “My sweet Yona, from your ICU room, messages of hope, faith, and love for our precious country washed over our battered and exhausted nation. Yes, you, my love, became the focus of doing things to make this world better… We were all in for you, dear Yona, and you were all in for Am Yisrael [the Jewish people].”

Modi’in Mayor Haim Bibas mourned him as “a symbol of values, heroism, and self-sacrifice,” leaving a legacy that would “resonate in our hearts.”

Public Reaction and Significance

Yona’s story gripped Israel and beyond, embodying the courage and sacrifice of those who faced the October 7 atrocities. His 417-day struggle mirrored the nation’s own endurance through a prolonged conflict. Posts on X from November 2024 reflect the sentiment: one user called him “the definition of a hero,” noting his refusal to give up despite losing both legs and enduring relentless pain, while another expressed heartbreak over his loss as a Duvdevan medic who “ran into battle to save his brothers.”

The absence of bitterness at his funeral, as noted by historian Michael Oren in a Times of Israel blog, contrasted sharply with other regional ceremonies.

Yona Bezalel Brief’s life was brief but monumental. From his early dedication as a combat medic to his heroic stand at Kfar Aza and his prolonged fight for survival, he left an indelible mark. He is survived by his parents and siblings who carry forward his memory, and a nation that honors him as a fallen hero.

May his memory be blessed.

The Jerusalem Post and the Times of Israel contributed to this article.