A Biblical Land – and A Land of Heroes

Yael Eckstein  |  January 3, 2024

Writing at CBN, Yael reflects on her renewed awe for the humble and heroic defenders of Israel during this time of war, and shares a heartbreaking, yet inspiring, story of a voice message exchange between father and son during the October 7 attacks:

“Dad, I have been shot. I have two bullets in my chest. I’m going to try to get to the hospital, but there are terrorists everywhere. I don’t know if I’ll be alive in another half hour, so I want you to know I love you and I’m proud of you. Keep fighting and protecting this land.”

With tears streaming down my face, I asked how he responded. Amnon hugged me and played me the voicemail he sent his son in response: 

“My son, I’m proud of you. Be strong. As soon as the people in my town are safe and the terrorists are gone, I’ll come be with you.”

Thankfully, both of these heroes survived that awful day.

Both of those heroes survived. And both—like so many on October 7 and every day since—lived by the words of Amnon’s heroic son: “Keep fighting and protecting this land.”