On Hanukkah two years ago, Israeli reservist Master Sergeant Yoav Tzivoni lost his leg in battle. For many, such a moment would mark the end of a journey. For Yoav, it became the beginning of something far greater — a living reflection of Hanukkah’s miracle of light that refuses to be extinguished.

Yoav was vacationing in Sinai when Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel. Without hesitation, he rushed back home to join combat operations in Gaza. In battle, he sustained devastating injuries, including the loss of his leg, a collapsed lung, and multiple shrapnel wounds. What followed were dozens of surgeries and a long, grueling recovery that tested the limits of physical and mental endurance.

Most people would have stopped. Yoav did not.

Despite the pain, setbacks, and permanent injuries, Yoav chose to keep fighting — not only for his country, but for himself. Though he has openly expressed frustration at not being able to return to the front lines immediately, he has never voiced regret for answering the call when Israel needed him.

Today, Yoav channels his resilience into relentless training and rehabilitation. Every session is a reminder of what real strength looks like: not the absence of hardship, but the refusal to surrender to it. His determination has become a source of inspiration for fellow soldiers, families, and supporters across Israel and beyond.

Yoav’s story resonates deeply during Hanukkah — a time that commemorates perseverance against overwhelming odds. Like the oil that burned longer than expected, Yoav’s spirit continues to shine, proving that courage does not end with injury and that faith, resolve, and purpose can outlast even the harshest trials.

In a time when Israel continues to face relentless threats, Yoav Tzivoni stands as a powerful symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering commitment — a reminder that even in darkness, the light endures.