Joining Eisenkot, who lost his son on 10/7: "On October 8 I returned to the army" | Interview

Col. (res.) Nir Hajbi, a bereaved father whose son was murdered on October 7, joins the "Yashar!" party led by Gadi Eisenkot. In an interview, he describes the difficult choice between trying to save his dying son from afar and his duty as a commander to mobilize a battalion for war, and the decision to return to the army the next day. Hajbi brings to the party his struggle for the rehabilitation of the western Negev and easing the reserve duty burden.

Col. (res.) Nir Hajbi, 52, father of five and a member of Kibbutz Kissufim, joins the "Yashar!" party led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. In an extensive interview, he recounts the difficult moments of October 7, when he was abroad and his 18-year-old son Yehonatan was shot in the chest at his grandparents' home in Moshav Yakhini. For three hours, Hajbi knew his son was dying from blood loss, while simultaneously receiving a call from his battalion commander to mobilize the battalion for war. He had to choose between trying to save his son and his duty as a commander. The next day, on October 8, he landed in Israel and chose to return to the army instead of mourning. Since then, he has served hundreds of reserve days, was selected as an outstanding reservist by the Chief of Staff in 2025, and was involved in establishing the Home Front Command's Bishor District. Hajbi brings to the party the fight for the rehabilitation of the western Negev and the reserve duty burden, noting that it bothers him that reservists do not receive proper compensation. His connection with Eisenkot spans years, as Hajbi served as his operations officer 26 years ago.