‘I didn’t know if I was alive or dead’: Heroic 21-year-old recalls miraculous survival on 7 Oct
Eden Ram and Omri Rozenblit had diners in silence and tears at Beit Halochem UK fundraiser
A hero of the October 7 attacks has spoken of how she “is grateful to have reached the age of 21” as she recalled how Hamas mercilessly hunted her and her IDF comrades that horrific morning.
Eden Ram was serving as an officer on what was supposed to be her last day at a base 20 kilometres from Gaza when it was stormed by terrorists. Now aged just 21, she reduced 530 guests at the annual Beit Halochem dinner to silence as she recalled how two of her comrades were gunned down as they tried to flee from gunfire and another was killed, before a photo of his body was sent to her and the victim’s mother.
“I thought it couldn’t get worse but that was just the beginning,” she told the audience on Monday. “At first we thought we’d be safe in the command room. But we were six people and only had two weapons so we didn’t have a chance. We heard the terrorists coming closer and I thought we were all going to die so I started to say goodbye to my family. I didn’t think I’d see them again.
“In a few seconds everything went black and they started to shoot at everyone. When they thought everyone was dead they searched the room for documents and took photos of the bodies to prove what they did. I still remember the terrorists’ screams of happiness.
“Four of my friends got killed in the command room and just me and one other survived. I didn’t know if I was alive or dead. I didn’t know what death felt like. I lay there for hours with 12 bullets in my body not knowing if I was going to bleed to death. I decided to play dead. I waited for 4 long hours in pain feeling like I was slowing dying.”
Having spent three months fighting for her life in hospital, Eden – who received a prolonged standing ovation – is still undergoing treatment for physical and mental wounds. But she recalled how Beit Halochem’s centre in Jerusalem had become “like my second home. There I don’t have to feel shame about my injuries or scars. There are people who understand me there”.
Since the start of the war with Hamas, 14000 additional injured veterans have relied on Beit Halochem’s state-of-the-art rehabilitation centres for help. BHUK trustee Orly Wolfson took guests on a video journey through the five current centres, and the newest one in Ashdod, whose opening has been brought forward to early next year in response to increasing demand.
Dinner chairs Katie Cutler and Michaela Meyohas said: “While we are in London, our thoughts are in Israel. In the midst of the darkness there is a light: that light is Beit halochem. It is a home, a place where healing begins and dignity is rebuilt and noone walks alone.”
The event was also addressed by Omri Rozenblit, a lieutenant who suffered severe injuries when a bomb exploded in Khan Yunis, collapsing a house on top of him 91 days into the war. He lost his left leg and part of his face had to be reconstructed.
He said: “I don’t regret a thing because I know all my soldiers are fine, living a wonderful life and I managed to accomplish my responsibility. I’m a proud guy so I won’t ask for anything from anyone . But today I’m speaking for thousands of brothers and sisters who went to Gaza and were injured. They need your support to recover and get back to life.” Turning to his mother who had travelled with him from Israel, he said: “Without you I wouldn’t be able to stand here today. I love you.”
The event raised £1.7 million and BH UK chief executive Spencer Gelding said: “Our supporters have once again risen to the challenge to help meet the increasing demand on Beit Halochem’s vital services. Eden and Omri are just two of the 14000 extra heroes the charity is supporting since October 7 and it was an honour to have them with us in London to hear their incredible stories of leadership and survival.”
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