Israeli rescuers rushed out of Turkey after receiving ‘concrete and immediate’ threat

The Israeli Rescue Team united hatzalahdeployed in Turkey to support earthquake rescue efforts, had to abandon their mission and return to Israel urgently after facing a series of security threats, the organization reported on Sunday.

We have received information about a concrete and immediate threat against the Israeli delegation and we must put the safety of our staff firstsaid Dov Maisel, vice president of operations for United Hatzala, through a statement from first responders.

Raphael Poch, spokesperson for the organization, assured Efe that they are two different threats.

“The first came from abroad, from non-Turkish elements.“, he said, without specifying a particular organization.

Israeli authorities have claimed in the past that Iran and its allies have stepped up attempted attacks on Israelis abroad over the past two years and foiled numerous attacks, including several planned in Turkey.

“The second threat came after the (Turkish) government informed the local population that the dead (from the earthquakes) would be buried in a mass grave.. They are very upset and they started attacking the relief groups“, he explained.

Thus, the United Hatzalah team – some 25 first responders who rescued 15 people during their stay in Turkey– returned to Israel in a private flight.

The earthquakes recorded since Monday morning in Turkey and Syria have killed at least 28,192 people, the majority on Turkish territory, in addition to 85,000 injured in the two countries. The UN estimates that the number will continue to increase dramatically.

Israel, which had fierce differences with Turkey before fully restoring diplomatic relations last year, sent 150 rescuers and 230 professionals in health care in the Turkish cities most affected by the earthquakes, with a rescue team and humanitarian aid.

The delegation of the Israeli army, called “olive branchesrescued around 20 people and began treating earthquake victims at a local hospital in the city of Kahramanmaraş.

Among the patients were more than 10 Syrian refugees, a military spokesman said.

Beyond aid to Turkey, Israel has assured that it will also provide assistance to Syria, a country with which it is formally in conflict and with which it does not maintain official diplomatic relations.

Israeli government officials have confirmed to EFE that the Jewish state will send medicine, blankets and tents to Syria to help earthquake victims.

(With information from EFE)

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