TEL AVIV, Israel—As Israel grapples with the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 massacre and ongoing war against Iranian-backed terror groups, a pioneering initiative called “Together in Telam” (יחד בתל”מ) is bringing IDF officers and wounded soldiers together on a shared journey of recovery and unity. This program, created during a period of national emergency, not only supports physical and psychological rehabilitation but also strengthens the bonds that underpin Israel’s national resilience.
The “Together in Telam” project pairs active officers from across the Israel Defense Forces with soldiers who have sustained injuries in battle, many during the recent “Iron Swords” operation against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah along the northern border. Over several weeks, these joint teams embark on a series of group challenges and mutual support sessions—hiking, therapeutic workshops, and cultural activities—across Israel. The experience is designed to reinforce the IDF’s spirit of never leaving a comrade behind and to ensure that wounded soldiers remain fully connected to Israeli society and the military family.
The launch of this project comes against the backdrop of an expanding conflict. Since Hamas perpetrated the October 7 massacre—recognized as the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—thousands of Israelis have faced physical and emotional trauma. These attacks, fueled and guided by Iran and executed by Hamas and Hezbollah, have brought new urgency to both battlefield medicine and veteran rehabilitation.
Participants in the program, including both officers and wounded personnel, share stories of physical hardship and emotional struggle, but also of hope. By tackling challenges together, commanders gain a deeper understanding of injury recovery, while injured soldiers find renewed purpose in their connection with peers and superiors.
The project’s founders, including retired officers, medical professionals, and charity organizers, note that a holistic approach—addressing both mental health and operational readiness—can fortify national morale and support reintegration. The Ministry of Defense, IDF Rehabilitation Division, and community partners have increased support to expand the initiative, seeing it as a model for future military rehabilitation in Israel and for allies facing similar threats from terror.
Israel’s commitment to the well-being of its soldiers is rooted in necessity; the small, embattled nation must maintain its fighting strength as it counters ongoing rocket attacks and incursions from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond. Over 70 years of statehood, the IDF has confronted existential threats from a network of Iranian-backed terror organizations—Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Houthis. However, the scale and brutality of the current war, particularly the hostage crisis and atrocities of October 7, have placed extraordinary pressures on both soldiers and society at large.
The “Together in Telam” model is also informed by Israel’s deep cultural appreciation for life and national healing. It stands in stark contrast to the strategy of its enemies, who use hostage-taking, attacks on civilians, and psychological warfare as methods of waging terror. Israel, by contrast, operates on the moral principle of valuing each life, working tirelessly for the recovery and return of hostages, and honoring wounded soldiers—never conflating the status of innocent victims with captured terrorists.
Military psychologists involved with the program emphasize that such efforts can help mitigate post-traumatic stress, isolation, and loss of identity—issues that often follow severe injury or trauma. Families of the wounded also benefit, knowing that their loved ones remain recognized and supported at the highest levels of military command.
Looking ahead, Israeli officials plan to institutionalize the program, with elements incorporated into officer training and the care of injured veterans. The program’s success has sparked international interest, with allied militaries studying its methods for possible adoption.
As the war against Iranian-backed terror networks continues on multiple fronts, the “Together in Telam” initiative remains a testament to Israel’s commitment to its defenders. In a landscape shaped by violence, sacrifice, and unyielding threats, Israel’s enduring resolve is reflected in the unity, courage, and recovery of its soldiers—demonstrating to the world that even in crisis, the values of life, mutual responsibility, and hope endure.
