Emotional scenes were recorded this week in Afula, when a special delegation from Hatzalah and the Gilboa regional unit visited the home of a local resident who was seriously injured in last Friday’s deadly terror attack and survived against the odds.
The visit was intended both to strengthen the survivor and to complete a powerful “closing of the circle” with the volunteers who were among the first to arrive at the scene and administer the initial, life-saving medical care.
Among those attending were Afula Mayor Avi Elkabetz, Rav Ben Tzion Kook, Gilboa regional coordinator for Hatzalah Mendy Itzkovitz, and paramedics Moshe Dachs and Yossi Farber. The two medics were among the earliest responders to reach the scene of the attack and, with exceptional presence of mind, provided rapid and professional treatment during the most critical minutes—actions credited with saving the victim’s life.
The survivor, visibly moved as he welcomed the delegation into his home, shared his reflections on the ordeal. “Only afterward did I truly understand how critical every single second was,” he said. “I thank you for being there not only at the scene, but also at the hospital and in supporting my family. I was given my life as a gift.”
Gilboa regional coordinator Mendy Itzkovitz emphasized the mission that drives the organization. “Saving lives is our calling,” he said. “I thank the mayor and the city leadership for the ongoing cooperation and assistance that allow our volunteers to drop everything and respond immediately when lives are on the line.”
Hatzalah Director-General Yaakov Yuzef added that the meeting encapsulated the essence of the organization’s work. “This encounter illustrates the ‘why’ behind everything we do,” he said. “All the logistical investment, the equipment, emergency vehicles, and wide deployment converge into moments like this. It’s not a slogan—it’s the daily reality of saving lives. The direct bond between volunteers and those they rescue is part of our DNA and reflects, in practice, the supreme value of preserving life as a daily mission.”
Mayor Avi Elkabetz concluded the moving gathering by praising the close cooperation between the city and emergency responders. “This event is living proof of how vital rapid response times are,” he said. “The combination of advanced equipment and devoted Hatzalah volunteers is what saved a life here.”
{Matzav.com}
