After nearly two years in Gaza captivity, Alon Ohel has taken a crucial step in his recovery, undergoing complex surgeries on his injured eye and shoulder at Beilinson Hospital.
Alon Ohel, who was released from captivity in Gaza after almost two years, underwent two complex surgeries today at Beilinson Hospital: one to treat his injured eye and another to address his damaged shoulder. These surgeries represent an important milestone in his ongoing recovery from the severe injuries sustained during his abduction.
Ohel, who was badly wounded during the kidnapping and taken to Gaza with multiple injuries, endured extremely harsh conditions. During his captivity, his parents reported that he had lost sight in one of his eyes, and his condition worsened due to a lack of medical treatment.
Upon his return to Israel in the latest prisoner exchange, it was discovered that, despite the severe injury, there was still hope of partially restoring his vision.
Beilinson Hospital announced that the complex eye surgery was carried out by Prof. Irit Bahar, head of the ophthalmology department, and Dr. Assaf Dotan, head of the retina unit. Meanwhile, the shoulder surgery was performed by Dr. Yoav Rosenthal, Dr. Mark Lovenberg, and Dr. Shay Raventzaft, specialists in orthopedic shoulder surgery.
Prof. Irit Bahar explained, “We performed a complex and unusual eye surgery today that should have been done two years ago; however, Alon was then a hostage in Gaza, in very harsh conditions, without medical care, without sunlight, and in a state of starvation. When we realized in recent days that there might still be a chance to save the eye, it was a very emotional and hopeful moment. The surgery was successful, and in the coming days, we will know the extent of the improvement in his vision.”
Ohel, who became a public figure upon his return to Israel, also appeared recently on the popular satirical show Eretz Nehederet, where he performed a piano piece with his injured eye bandaged. His journey to regain his life after captivity resonated deeply with many on social media.
It is possible to restore part of the sight in the injured eye
While in captivity, Ohel’s parents had reported that he had completely lost vision in one eye. However, after his release, the family received hopeful news from doctors at Beilinson, who believed it was possible to restore part of the sight in the injured eye. Since his return, Ohel has been undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation, which includes physical therapy, surgeries, and psychological support.
Medical teams at Beilinson emphasized that Ohel’s case is one of the most complex they have treated in recent years. The combination of long-neglected injuries and the psychological toll of captivity presented unique challenges. Despite this, they noted that his condition remains stable, and he is recovering well from the surgeries.
A statement from Beilinson Hospital said, “Alon underwent two important surgeries today as part of his ongoing rehabilitation process. The hospital staff continues to support him and his family closely, and we hope to see further improvement in his functioning and quality of life in the near future.”