Released hostage Alon Ohel undergoes eye surgery, orthopedic procedure

Reporter at The Times of Israel

Released hostage Alon Ohel heads home to Lavon on October 24, 2025. (Reuven G Sz/Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
Released hostage Alon Ohel heads home to Lavon on October 24, 2025. (Reuven G Sz/Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

Released hostage Alon Ohel underwent an eye surgery and an orthopedic procedure today at Rabin Medical Center, the hospital announces.

The former hostage’s right eye was injured by bullet shrapnel from a Hamas gunman during the terror group’s October 7 massacre of Nova festival partygoers. He was held for two years in Gaza and released along with 19 other living captives on October 13.

“Today we performed a complex and exceptional eye surgery that was supposed to take place two years ago,” says Prof. Irit Bahar, head of the Ophthalmology Division, at the hospital, which is also known as Beilinson. Bahar performed the surgery with Dr. Asaf Dotan, head of the Retina Unit.

“When we realized a few days ago that it might still be possible to save the eye, it was a deeply moving and hopeful moment,” she says. “The surgery was successful, and in the coming days, we will know the extent of improvement in his vision.”

Ohel also underwent orthopedic surgery performed by shoulder surgeons Dr. Yoav Rosenthal, Dr. Mark Lovenberg, and Dr. Shay Ribenzaft.

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