Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham and president of Samaritan's Purse, devoted 14 new ambulances in Israel throughout a ceremony honoring medics who’ve fallen within the nation's ongoing warfare in opposition to Hamas.
Lots of of individuals gathered on the Nationwide Library in Jerusalem on Tuesday to witness the dedication ceremony, together with Yaakov Blitshtein, director basic of Israel's Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Magen David Adom CEO Eli Bin.
The worldwide evangelical charity Samaritan's Purse supplied the ambulances to Magena David Adom, Israel's nationwide company for ambulance and rescue companies, based on a press release supplied to The Christian Submit on Tuesday.
On October 7, Hamas launched a shock assault in opposition to Israel that killed at the very least 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and the terrorist group took about 240 individuals hostage. In response, Israel declared a state of warfare and launched a counteroffensive in Gaza to root out the terrorist group, which has dominated Gaza since 2007.
In response to the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry, over 25,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza because the warfare started. This determine doesn’t distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, and doesn’t differentiate between individuals killed by the Israel Protection Forces and people killed by stray rockets fired by Gaza-based terrorist teams.
In response to a press release, the 14 ambulances that Samaritan's Purse donated to Magen David Adom are the identical variety of ambulances destroyed by Hamas terrorists throughout the October 7 assault.
At the least 19 medics have been killed in Israel because the warfare between Israel and Hamas started.
Catherine L. Reed, CEO of American Associates of Magen David Adom, the advertising and marketing arm of Magen David Adom, referred to as the donation “significant” given the present state of affairs. Reed mentioned many Israelis and Jews all over the world really feel alone right now.
“It’s proof that within the midst of all of the protests and the rise of anti-Semitism, the individuals of Israel and the worldwide Jewish neighborhood have pals they’ll depend on,” she mentioned.
Along with the 14 ambulances, Samaritan's Purse says it plans to donate seven extra armored ambulances to Magen David Adom.
“I imagine on this group. You danger your life to avoid wasting a life and I felt these ambulances wanted to get replaced instantly,” Graham mentioned. “We pray that these ambulances deliver consolation to the individuals of Israel as a result of we all know that somebody can reply to any disaster, so we thank God and we thank God for MDA.”
Ophir Levy is the daddy of Lior Levy, a 19-year-old medic killed by Hamas. Levy's identify is inscribed on 14 ambulances donated by Samaritan's Purse, together with the names of different paramedics who’ve fallen.
Throughout the dedication ceremony, the households of the slain medics noticed the inscriptions for the primary time.
“They aren’t simply automobiles, however an emblem of life, braveness and hope,” Ophir Levy mentioned in a press release. “Each time the ambulance goes on a mission, it should appear to be Lior and her pals are nonetheless serving to and saving lives.”
Graham introduced Tuesday that Samaritan's Purse will proceed to assist Magen David Adom by offering new ambulance stations in communities which might be usually in danger.
“There are not any phrases that may consolation you or specific our deep sorrow for the loss,” mentioned Eli Bin, who heads Magen David Adom. “At a time when nations and worldwide organizations selected to show a blind eye and ignore the horrors skilled by the individuals of Israel, Samaritan's Purse acted in accordance with the divine and ethical commandment and reached out.”
Samaritan's Purse has been offering help in Israel because the starting of the warfare. Shortly after Israel declared a state of warfare, Samaritan's Purse deployed a catastrophe response group. The group says it has additionally supplied households with 18,500 meals packing containers, practically 4,000 scorching meals and greater than 18,000 meals stamps.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Submit. You’ll be able to contact her at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Observe her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
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