💔“RED SHIRT HERO” Gefen Bitton FIGHTING FOR LIFE: Things Are Even Bleaker Than First Reported…
He ran straight at the gunman while others fled—and now, after 4 emergency surgeries, doctors have delivered a grim verdict: the injuries are permanent.
One final, chilling phone call came before he collapsed. Surgeons warn his recovery may be far more complicated than anyone imagined.
👉 FULL HEARTBREAKING MEDICAL DETAILS IN THE COMMENTS 👇

The Red Shirt Hero: Gefen Bitton’s Courageous Act at Bondi Beach and the Devastating Toll on His Recovery

On December 14, 2025, a joyous Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach turned into Australia’s worst antisemitic terror attack in history. Father-and-son gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire on the crowd gathered for “Chanukah by the Sea,” organized by Chabad, killing 15 people—including rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and children—and injuring dozens more. Amid the chaos, stories of extraordinary bravery emerged, none more gripping than that of Gefen Bitton, the 30-year-old Israeli known as the “man in the red shirt” who sprinted toward danger when others fled.

Bitton, a garage door technician who had been living and working in Australia for three years, had spent the day hiking in the Blue Mountains—one of his favorite pastimes—before heading to Bondi with a friend to light the menorah. As gunfire erupted, he initially ran to safety. But witnessing the horror, he made a split-second decision: he turned back and charged toward one of the attackers, Sajid Akram, alongside Syrian-Australian bystander Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who has been hailed nationally for wrestling a rifle from the gunman.

Viral footage captured the moment: Bitton, unmistakable in his red T-shirt, running from a nearby car park to assist Al-Ahmed in confronting the terrorist.

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In the ensuing struggle, Bitton was shot three times with a shotgun—primarily in the hip and pelvis area—before collapsing. Despite his grievous wounds, he managed to make a brief, chilling phone call to his sister in Israel: “I’ve been shot,” he said, before the line went dead. That call sparked a frantic search by friends and family, who used the “Find My Phone” app to trace him to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he was already in emergency surgery.

Bitton’s identity remained a mystery initially, with Australian media dubbing him the “red shirt man” or “mystery hero.” Days later, his father—who had flown urgently from Israel—recognized him in the circulating videos, as did friends. A GoFundMe page set up by close friend Cayli Barr described his actions: “Gefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist, he ran into the line of fire to help… As Ahmad Al Ahmad heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran in alongside to confront the terrorist. There, he was shot, fell to the ground, and shot again.”

The injuries were catastrophic. Bitton suffered a shattered pelvis, severe internal damage from bone fragments, and multiple gunshot wounds. He was placed in a medically induced coma and rushed through a series of emergency surgeries—reports vary from five to at least eight procedures in the weeks following the attack—to repair the extensive trauma.

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Doctors delivered a sobering prognosis: the damage to his pelvis and surrounding areas is severe and likely permanent, potentially affecting mobility and requiring lifelong rehabilitation. Friends described a “long road ahead,” with mounting medical expenses and the need for ongoing care. The GoFundMe, aimed at covering these costs, has raised over $721,000, reflecting global admiration for his selflessness.

By early January 2026, positive developments emerged amid the heartbreak. Bitton awoke from his coma, a significant milestone, though he remains in intensive care battling complications. In recognition of his bravery, Australian authorities granted him permanent residency, ensuring access to Medicare and disability support services for his extensive recovery.

Bitton’s family has emphasized that his actions stemmed from deep-rooted values. “He ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised,” the fundraiser states. Friends portray him as spiritual, resilient, and kind-hearted—an “absolute hero” who acted on instinct to protect others, including children and families at the event.

The attack’s broader context has amplified Bitton’s story. Classified as a targeted antisemitic terror incident, it drew condemnations worldwide, including from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who called Bitton’s sister to praise his “courage under fire.” Other heroes, like the Gurman couple who tackled a gunman and lost their lives, and young Leibel Lazaroff who aided a wounded officer, underscore the community’s defiance.

As Bitton continues his fight in ICU, his red shirt has become a symbol of light piercing darkness during Hanukkah. Though the physical scars—and permanent impairments—serve as a devastating reminder of the price he paid, his legacy inspires resilience. “Gefen put his own life at risk with his selfless actions,” his supporters affirm. The battle is far from over, but the world watches, hoping for his full strength to return.