Captain Ziv Shilon Awakens, Salutes Following Attack

Captain Ziv Shilon, who was taken to Soroka Medical Center in critical condition after being wounded by a Hamas bomb in the Kissufim area near Gaza on Tuesday regained consciousness on Wednesday, saluting his commander with the arm doctors are fighting to save.

When Southern Command Head Major General Tal Russo arrived at Shilon’s bedside following his return to consciousness, Shilon, who is still on a respirator, saluted with his right arm, which was mangled by the Hamas attack.  Channel 10 news reported Russo was deeply moved, choking up at the gesture.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called Shilon’s mother, Margalit, who told Israel’s leader that "I ask that he will prevail and live. I have cancer and cannot get out of bed, I ask you to see to it that he receives good treatment."