Syrian Boys in Israeli Hospital: We weren't Afraid to Come Here

by Danny Brenner

Two Syrian brothers, ages 12 and 15, have been hospitalized in Safed for a month after being seriously wounded by a mine explosion near their home in southern Syria • Younger boy: I miss my family in Syria.

The two wounded Syrian brothers at Ziv Medical Center in Safed on Tuesday | Photo credit: Ziv Medical Center

Two young Syrian brothers who have been hospitalized in the Ziv Medical Center in Safed for the past month enjoyed their first venture outdoors on Tuesday, visiting the medical center's garden, accompanied by a social worker.

The two boys, ages 12 and 15, were seriously wounded when a mine exploded near their home in the Daraa region of southern Syria. They were transported by the Israel Defense Forces to Israel, and were hospitalized in the Ziv Medical Center's Orthopedics Department. The younger brother was treated for shrapnel wounds, bruises and bone fractures. The older brother underwent emergency surgery for internal injuries and severe injuries in his legs and left hand. Doctors were able to save his right leg and left hand, but were forced to amputate his left leg, which had been shattered above the knee. He is currently going through rehabilitation and is waiting to be fitted with a prosthetic leg that was donated to him.

Both boys were excited on Tuesday about their first outing from the hospital ward.

Pushing his older brother in a wheelchair, the younger brother said, "I miss my family in Syria, especially my father, whom I have not seen since he brought us wounded to the border with Israel. I really want to return home. We weren't afraid to come to Israel, because after we were wounded, my father insisted on bringing us to Israel for professional treatment and he promised us that we would get the best medical care."

Danny Brenner

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=12453

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