October 30, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an Israeli soldier who lost his hand in an attack on the Gaza border.

Netanyahu visited Capt. Ziv Shilon at the Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba. Shilon suffered life-threatening injuries while on routine patrol Oct. 23 at the Gaza border fence when a bomb believed to be planted by terrorists exploded.

“The entire country embraces and supports you. I thank you on behalf of the entire nation. I am very impressed by your strength,” Netanyahu told Shilon.

Netanyahu gave the captain a copy of the book “The Letters of Yoni (Jonathan) Netanyahu,” the prime minister’s brother who died during the Operation Entebbe in Uganda. The personal dedication read: “To an admired soldier and commander, for your bravery and your sacrifice in safeguarding the homeland. The Jewish People salute you.”

Shilon thanked Netanyahu, saying: “The State of Israel and its people need security, including self-sacrifice if need be. It was to this end that I joined the IDF.”

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