Defense Minister Israel Katz presented the 2026 “Defense Minister’s Shield” to Soroka Medical Center, recognizing its support for soldiers serving in reserves during the Israel-Hamas War.
The Shield is a prestigious annual award honoring institutions that demonstrate exceptional support for IDF reservists. It recognizes initiatives that assist reservists and their families, particularly during times of conflict.
“It is a great pride to stand alongside the hundreds of workers who work with extraordinary dedication, on the military front and the medical front, and prove every day what a true mission is and what a deep commitment to human life and Israeli society is,” said Prof. Dan Schwarzfox, Deputy Director of Soroka University Medical Center and Director of the Emergency Department, upon accepting the award.
The ceremony was held last week with representatives from the hospital management and employees, alongside heads of the IDF Reserve Command, Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa, and Chief Reserve Officer, Maj. Gen. Benny Ben Ari.
Soroka’s contribution to supporting reserve soldiers
Katz noted that Soroka Medical Center had proven over the last two years that reserve service is a central pillar of Israeli society.
“Since the October 7 massacre when the war broke out, you have been standing at the very forefront of the battle. Soroka Hospital, which from the first hour after the start of the murderous attack by the Hamas terrorist organization, became a frontline of Israeli medicine to save the lives of wounded soldiers and saved hundreds through dedicated medical care by medical teams without reservation or borders,” said Katz.
Prof. Schwarzfox said, “Throughout the war, we saw extraordinary mobilization in Soroka.”
“The men and women of our team fought for the country in reserve uniforms, and as soon as they were released, they immediately returned to another front, the medical front, to continue providing life-saving service and care to the wounded.”
The hospital’s team has provided life-saving care to reserve soldiers throughout the war.
“Just last week, a wounded officer from the Gaza Strip was brought to Soroka, and the person who treated him on the ground was a senior doctor in the general intensive care department in Soroka, during his reserve service,” explained Prof. Schwarzfox, highlighting Soroka’s support for soldiers during the last two years of war in Gaza.