Jacob Wirtzer

Over the past week, two distinct sounds have ruled our days, and the rhythm of our nights has changed. One is the familiar yet viscerally alarming “Emergency Alert” that blares from our phones as a ~10 minute advanced warning that a missile barrage is on its way from Iran to our area. For those tuning in from the US, imagine an Amber Alert on steroids, except Amber is a ballistic missile.  10, maybe 5, maybe 7, maybe 2 minutes later, the second sound comes. You first hear it faintly in the...

Commander of Nahal Brigade displaying Or's rifle after retrieving it from Hamas terrorist. For me, the moments when you realize life has come full circle hold so much meaning. They feel like a validation, where the principles or mission you’ve lived by are suddenly recognized by the world around you. These moments prove that the purpose you’ve pursued has found its place, and that you’ve been on the right path all along.  I was fortunate enough to experience two of these moments in the past...

Me and my reserve unit before entering Gaza, 2025 It’s July 29, 2025. I’m currently writing this article from a crowded, partially...