Full Breakdown
Seven-Year-Old Receives Life-Saving Liver Transplant from Fallen IDF Soldier
8/24/2026, 10:15:13 PM
Core Event
A seven-year-old girl, Bel Finkelstein, who was born with a rare congenital syndrome, received a liver transplant last month. The donor organ came from Sergeant First Class Shahar Gamla, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier killed in June after being critically wounded by an explosive drone while deployed in Lebanon. After his death, Gamla’s family elected to donate his organs, ultimately saving six lives, including Bel’s. The transplant was performed at Rambam Health Care Campus, with the harvested liver lobe transported to Clalit-Schneider Hospital for a multi-hour surgical procedure. Following the operation, Bel was cared for in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit before being discharged home.
Background and Context
Organ donation from fallen soldiers has been a recognized practice in Israel, offering a means to honor the deceased while addressing the chronic shortage of donor organs. Gamla’s death occurred during an IDF operation in Lebanon, a region where drone-borne explosives have posed significant risks to personnel. The decision by his family to donate his organs reflects a broader cultural and military emphasis on turning personal tragedy into communal benefit.
Key Figures
- Shahar Gamla – Sergeant First Class, IDF, killed in June during a deployment in Lebanon; his organs were donated post-mortem.
- Bel Finkelstein – Seven-year-old recipient, born with a rare genetic syndrome, awaiting transplant for six months.
- Yana Finkelstein – Mother of Bel, expressed gratitude to the donor family.
- Dr. Michael Gurevich – Head of the Liver Transplantation Unit at Clalit-Schneider, noted the emotional complexity of the operation for the medical team.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Michael Gurevich described the procedure as “extraordinarily complex and difficult” and emphasized the emotional weight carried by the surgical team when operating under such circumstances. The hospital’s staff highlighted the rapid coordination required to harvest and transport the liver lobe, underscoring the efficiency of Israel’s organ-sharing network.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have no words to adequately thank Shahar’s precious parents, who, from the absolute depths of their bereavement, chose to grant life to my daughter,” — Yana — Yana Finkelstein, mother of the recipient.
