IDF officer hurt in Gaza 'fighting for his life'

Givati company commander injured by bomb on Gaza border has lost palm of his hand, remains in mortal danger, doctors say

Ilana Curiel|Published: 10.23.12 , 17:27

An IDF officer wounded in a terror attack on the Gaza border early on Tuesday is still fighting for his life, hospital officials say.

Captain Ziv Shilon, who serves as a Givati company commander, sustained moderate to serious injuries when a bomb went off on the Gaza border fence, near Kissufim. According to officials at Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center, Shilon lost the palm of his hand in the attack.

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An initial inquiry suggests that the officer was hurt upon opening a gate. It is estimated the blast was caused by a roadside bomb, but the IDF is not ruling out the possibility of a mortar shell explosion.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for the attack. IDF forces canvassed the area in search for the terrorists who laid the explosives.

"Everyone predicted a great military career for my brother, and I hope these dreams will come true," the officer's sister, Hila Magidovich said Tuesday.

According to Magidovich, Shilon was expected to assume a new position of command in the coming days.

"Ziv is a highly capable, very motivated and endlessly generous person," she said. "He always saw himself reaching the top ranks in the army and contributing more and more for the sake of the state."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that the IDF will respond to the assault in due time.

"No person or group who hurt Israel will remain unscathed," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the incident during a meeting with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, who is currently visiting Israel. "Israel will retaliate heavily to this terror," he said.