He lost an arm in Gaza. Now he is chasing a world surfing medal

Tamir Dudi survived a fierce battle in Jabaliya, underwent 17 surgeries in three countries and ultimately chose to have his right arm amputated. Now, at 26, the IDF officer has set himself a new target: reaching the podium at the surfing world championship in California this November. Dudi, who has surfed since childhood, had spent less time in the water after entering a pre-military program at 18 and later joining the IDF. On October 7, 2023, he was serving as a lieutenant in the Nahal Brigade’s reconnaissance unit and waiting to begin a company commanders’ course. He and his soldiers were sent into communities near the Gaza border, where they fought in the Sha’ar HaNegev area and at Mefalsim and helped evacuate wounded people from the Nova music festival. “I asked the soldiers that whoever was afraid should raise his hand,” Dudi recalled. “I didn’t wait for an answer.