Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMOD) have signed an agreement to establish a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for IDF veterans living with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI), one of the most complex and life-altering wounds sustained in military service. FIDF has committed $10 million toward the project, which is expected to open by 2030 and will become the only facility in Israel dedicated exclusively to the rehabilitation of IDF veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
The new center comes at a critical time as Israel faces growing long-term rehabilitation needs following the Iron Swords War, during which more than 300 soldiers sustained traumatic brain injuries, including approximately 100 severe cases requiring intensive, long-term care. While advances in battlefield medicine have enabled more wounded soldiers to survive catastrophic injuries, many now face years of specialized rehabilitation to regain independence, rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into their families and communities.
“Our responsibility to Israel’s wounded veterans does not end when they leave the battlefield,” said FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan. “Traumatic brain injuries are often described as invisible wounds because their effects extend far beyond physical symptoms. Veterans living with severe brain injuries frequently face long-term neurological, cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges that require sustained, specialized intervention. Our new center is being designed to address these complex needs through an integrated rehabilitation model that combines therapeutic, educational, vocational and social services under one roof.”
“Traumatic brain injuries often require years of highly specialized treatment and support, affecting every aspect of a veteran’s life, from cognitive functioning and emotional well-being to employment, relationships and daily independence. This new center will provide veterans with the comprehensive care, dignity and long-term support they deserve while ensuring Israel is prepared to meet the rehabilitation challenges of today and the future,” he added
The facility will replace Beit Marguza, an older rehabilitation center established in Jaffa in 1973 that does not meet the modern standards. After extensive evaluation, renovation of the aging facility was determined to be impractical, leading the Ministry of Defense to approve construction of a new purpose-built center designed specifically to meet the evolving needs of wounded veterans.
Centrally located on Yitzhak Sadeh Street in Tel Aviv, the new 2,560-square-meter facility will accommodate approximately 60 veterans at any given time and provide comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatments and services. The center will offer occupational therapy, social work, cognitive rehabilitation, emotional and behavioral treatment, physical rehabilitation and a range of creative and vocational therapies designed to support long-term recovery.
The facility will feature three dedicated rehabilitation floors, secure protected spaces, accessible parking, therapeutic outdoor areas, balconies on each level and a rooftop terrace designed to support rehabilitation activities and community programming. Built to meet all modern accessibility standards, the center will provide a dignified and therapeutic environment while maintaining the flexibility to address future rehabilitation needs.
The project is expected to cost approximately $24 million, with FIDF’s $10 million commitment supporting construction and completion of the facility alongside funding provided by the Ministry of Defense. Planning approvals and municipal permits have already been secured, and the project is expected to advance toward construction following completion of the tender process and final project preparations.
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