Heroic Paramedic’s Touch in Times of War

Dr. Gal Rosen, an Israeli paramedic, has been saving lives amid the chaos of missile attacks. “My heart races as I rush from emergency to emergency,” he says, reflecting on the intense situations he faces. Yet, he manages to keep his composure under fire. “Don’t think, just act,” he often reminds himself.

Tragedy struck early in his life when his mother was killed by terrorists. Since then, he has dedicated himself to saving lives, first as a military paramedic and now as a civilian working with Magen David Adom (MDA) in Tel Aviv. Even during multi-front warfare, he stays committed to his role in the hospital.

Rosen vividly describes saving lives in the “darkness” of conflict, where sometimes, despite his efforts, life slips away after a difficult decision made in an instant.

Last week, amid this turmoil, he celebrated a moment of joy by delivering a healthy baby boy under the pressure of sirens signaling a missile attack. The delivery marked his fifth birth as an EMT, but it stood out for its surreal circumstances—a moment of light in the midst of darkness.

Sharing a story of hope, Rosen expresses how he usually avoids telling his family about the horrors he witnesses on duty. “Most of my stories are quite difficult for them to handle,” he admits.

However, the joy of the recent birth contrasted sharply with the grim realities he faced later that week when he experienced five on-duty fatalities. “You don’t want to come home and talk about it, do you?” he pondered.

Reflecting on the birth, he recalled how he had provided emergency delivery support over the phone before arriving at the scene. When he got there, the mother was in active labor with her husband assisting. He stepped in just before the baby was born, only to be met with alarms warning of an impending missile attack.

Quickly, he placed the newborn on the mother’s chest for critical skin-to-skin contact and helped the father with the umbilical cord. They had just moments to savor this new life before needing to move to a safer location.

In the chaos, Rosen kept the atmosphere as normal as possible for the family. “I tried to make it as close to reality as possible for them,” he mentioned as alarms blared overhead.

The family, aided by MDA personnel, eventually made their way to a shelter just moments before another round of missile alerts. “It was surreal,” he reflected, as they mingled with others also seeking safety. They were able to share a moment of joy, the newly born baby met with applause from those around them.

As sirens continued, Rosen described a frantic yet hopeful scene. “I put on my helmet and vest and ran with the baby to safety,” he shared, navigating the stressful environment. The echoes of the Iron Dome interceptions could be heard, an audible reminder of the ever-present danger.

The parents, Nicola and Violet, expressed their gratitude for the calmness of the emergency team amid the ordeal. While they wished to keep some details private, they were thankful for Dr. Rosen’s steady presence during such a frightening experience.

In a world overshadowed by threats, the story of new life offered a rare moment of relief. “There was excitement and happiness,” Rosen noted, emphasizing how important it is to focus on these little joys, even in dark times.

Despite the shadows of his past and the realities of war, Dr. Rosen is unwavering in his commitment. “I’ll do my best to save lives, to ensure no family endures the heartache of loss,” he stated, reflecting the resilient spirit of many in Israel. It’s this sense of purpose that drives him, even as sirens wail and challenges loom large.