At 88, despite cancer: Israeli man sets out for Everest: "For the sake of IDF soldiers"

88-year-old Israeli Tzvika Gazit, battling cancer, walked to the Everest base camp at an altitude of 5,400 meters. He dedicated his trek to wounded IDF soldiers. A year ago, he was evacuated by helicopter due to a storm, but in October 2026, he successfully completed the route with his daughter.

88-year-old Israeli Tzvika Gazit, battling prostate cancer, completed a trek to the Everest base camp at an altitude of about 5,400 meters. He dedicated his route to wounded IDF soldiers. A year earlier, Gazit had attempted the same journey but was stopped by a severe snowstorm 15 km from the goal, and the travelers were evacuated by helicopter. On October 16, 2026, he set out again with his daughter Irit and reached the base camp nine days later. Gazit said that the cancer medications severely weaken the body, but he made a "deal" with the disease: "I don't bother it, and it doesn't bother me." Previously, at age 75, he took up hiking, completing the "Israel Trail" over five years, as well as routes in Spain and around Mont Blanc.