With the start of Operation "Pillar of Cloud" yesterday, MDA forces began increased operational activities, during which up until now they have treated more than 50 wounded victims from the Southern Regions
Amongst those injured, are three dead after being hit by a rocket in Kiryat Malachi, and a child of about 4 years of age who is in serious condition
MDA is continuing to keep up the highest level of preparedness and to give a response to each and every call, whether in the South or in the rest of the country
A delegation of volunteers from "Hatzolah New York" will arrive in Israel tomorrow in order to volunteer in MDA and will work alongside the MDA teams in the south
With the start of Operation "Pillar of Cloud" in Gaza, MDA forces went onto the highest possible level of alert in order to give swift, efficient and life saving care to the inhabitants of the South.
From the start of Operation "Pillar of Cloud" until this moment, MDA teams have treated about 54 victims living in the South, amongst whom were three dead from a rocket which hit a building in Kiryat Malachi. In the severe incident in Kiryat Malachi, MDA teams treated 16 victims, including two men and a woman who were killed when the rocket attacked. An additional man and a baby of about a year old were injured by shrapnel and taken in a light to moderate condition. 4 people lightly injured from shrapnel and 6 people suffering panic attacks were also taken to hospital. In addition, a man of about 60 years old was also transported from the scene of the incident, suffering from chest pain. All the injured were taken to Kaplan Hospital.
A short time after this incident, MDA forces were called to Barzilai Hospital, where they were asked to transfer in a Mobile Intensive Care Unit, a 4 year old child suffering from shrapnel wounds all over his body, and to take him to Tel Hashomer hospital. The child was injured at the scene of the incident in Kiryat Malachi, and was taken independently by a member of the family to Barzilai Hospital.
In addition to those injured in the incident in Kiryat Malachi, MDA teams have treated since last night, 38 people who were either physically injured or who were suffering from panic attacks from all over the settlements in the South where missiles had landed.
Also the MDA phlebotomists have increased their level of activities, and have opened, in coordination with the Home Front, centres for people to donate blood in secure areas in the south. Citizens and soldiers have shown willingness and have come to donate hundreds of units of blood in the settlements in the South. In the centre taking blood which was opened in the safe area in the Ashdod MDA station , 40 units of blood were donated within a short period of time, and the MDA Blood Services increased the supply of blood in the Blood Banks of the hospitals in the south of the country and in Jerusalem.
Details of times when one can donate blood can be seen on the telephone 1-800-400-101.
In addition to the intensive activities that MDA was involved in throughout the day, the MDA station in Ashdod also welcomed Minister Eli Yishai, who came, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Ashdod, Mr. Amram Knafu. The two came to see from close up the high level of alert, the professionalism and efficiency of the work of the teams. Tomorrow, the MDA teams will receive an additional and special reinforcement, when a team of 25 volunteers from "Hatzolah New York" will land in Israel and join up with the MDA teams in the South, in order to show their support for the MDA teams in Israel and to help with the treatment of victims as a sign of solidarity.
MDA is in constant touch with the IDF, the Israeli Police Force, government offices and the Security Services, and continue to be ready and prepared and to give a response to any need that may arise. The public is asked to listen to the instructions of the Home Front, to take care to go carefully to the reinforced secure areas at the time of a "Colour Red" alert, to immediately dial 101 in time of any medical need that may arise and to listen to the instructions of the Dispatch officers until the arrival of MDA teams on the scene.
Also during the weekend, MDA forces are expected to maintain a high level of alert and preparedness and to hold Sabbath services and meals in the MDA stations in the Southern regions.
MDA: "MDA forces are working for almost a week already without any break throughout the south, and since last Saturday evening they have treated more than 100 injured victims. We will continue to give aid wherever and whenever needed and MDA teams are spread out all over the South and are ready and prepared to give an immediate, swift and life saving response to any medical need that may arise. MDA joins in the sorrow of the families of those who were killed and wishes a speedy recovery to all those who have been injured".