SAFED โ In a powerful display of solidarity, Bar-Ilan Universityโs Azrieli Faculty of Medicine delivered a graduation ceremony in Gaza for an IDF reservist who could not attend with his classmates due to active military service. Ohad, a recent medical graduate, was presented with his diploma at his outpost, surrounded by fellow soldiers and his battalion commander.
After several challenging days of operations, the Azrieli Faculty arranged for Ohad to receive his medical degree beside the tank that had become his home. Wearing a cap and gown over his uniform, Ohad took the Hippocratic Oath to the cheers of his unit. โIโm proud to be the first Jew in 2,000 years to receive an MD degree in Gaza,โ he said. โMarking the occasion together with my fellow reservists, who are like family, is a natural continuation of my life since October 7.โ
Ohad had completed about 400 days of reserve duty in just two years, all while finishing medical school and launching his residency. This achievement was made possible through close coordination between the IDF, Bar-Ilan University, and the Faculty of Medicine, enabling reservists to graduate despite the extraordinary circumstances of wartime.
This year, 245 new physicians received MD degrees from Bar-Ilan Universityโs Azrieli Faculty. The milestone represented not only academic success but also resilience, service, and hope. โThese new doctors didnโt just study medicine, they lived it,โ said Professor Orly Avni, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty, during the graduation held in Safed.
โThey trained in real emergency conditions, worked alongside medical teams in underground facilities, and responded to trauma cases under wartime pressures. Their education is rooted in reality, and their experience is unmatched anywhere in the world.โ
The ceremony in Gaza underscored Bar-Ilan Universityโs commitment to its students, ensuring they were celebrated regardless of their location. The event also stood as a testament to the spirit of the Jewish people, persevering, serving, and advancing in the face of adversity.
This article is based on verified information from Bar-Ilan University, the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, and official university statements.