IDF officer’s miracle recovery

AN ISRAELI solider who was critically wounded by a Hamas sniper and spent two years in rehabilitation has successfully completed an “Iron man” triathlon.

Captain Ran Ben Atia, a former officer in the Nahal Brigade, was nearly killed when a bullet lodged itself inches from his spine while he was clearing an enemy tunnel during Operation Protective Edge.

After emergency surgery to remove the bullet, Captain Ben Atia later spent several months in a Beit Halochem Fitness Centre undergoing painstaking rehabilitation.

Captain Ben Atia began to train for the 220km run, swim and cycle race in August 2016.

He said: “This competition was the peak of my rehabilitation. The doctors at the hospital said I’d never run again. Many people along the way had their doubts. However, my wife and family believed in me and supported me.”