While the world has focused this week on the heroic actions of Ahmed al-Ahmad, who charged a terrorist and inspired a global fundraising campaign of roughly $2.5 million, new details now reveal that an Israeli was fighting alongside him — Gefen Biton, a 30-year-old Israeli citizen.
Even Gefen’s family had no idea what happened to him during the massacre. Only on Wednesday did they uncover the grim truth, after recognizing him in a circulating video from the scene.
According to the account, Gefen had already reached a place of safety — but chose to go back inside to help neutralize the terrorists and save lives. As he approached one of the attackers, fighting side by side with Ahmed, Gefen was shot three times by a second terrorist firing from a bridge. He was critically wounded.
Tom, Gefen’s close friend who is currently with him in the hospital, told Newsrael: “Gefen is out of immediate life-threatening danger, but his condition remains serious. He has undergone a series of difficult surgeries, and a long rehabilitation process lies ahead. We ask everyone to pray for him and to share his story, so the world knows that he chose to save lives, even at the risk of his own.”