Magen David Adom (MDA) has announced that five of its ambulances that had been decommissioned from operational service have been transferred to Druze medical forces in southern Syria in recent days, a humanitarian effort aimed at strengthening lifesaving capabilities in Druze villages in southern Syria.
The ambulances, which will serve residents of Druze villages in southern Syria, were formally handed over during a moving ceremony that included professional first-aid training. The training was delivered by MDA EMTs from Israel’s Druze community who instructed local Druze medical teams in southern Syria on the safe use of the ambulances and medical equipment, with the goal of ensuring high-quality, lifesaving care. Participants in the ceremony included MDA Deputy Director General of Operations Gil Moshkowitz, Safwan Marich, head of the Emergency and Security Division at IFCJ, and other senior MDA officials.
“This is a very important mission to assist the Druze in Syria. We held several courses for Syrian EMTs who came here and explained to them how to provide care in an ambulance,” shared Senior MDA EMTs Samer Safadi and Assam Masoud, who trained the Druze teams in southern Syria. “We are very happy to take part in this important mission — to help our brothers, our families who are in southern Syria and in all the Druze villages. This is a very moving event. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped save lives.”
MDA Director-General Eli Bin reflected on MDA’s values, which stand at the heart of the decision to help. “This is an historic day. The severe harm inflicted on our Druze brothers in Syria obligates us to act and to do everything within our power to help save lives there as well. Magen David Adom operates with a deep commitment to the supreme value of saving lives, without distinction of religion, nationality, or border. This reflects the values that have guided MDA since its establishment 95 years ago — professionalism, compassion, knowledge sharing, and human responsibility — values that continue to guide the organization today. The mission of saving lives transcends borders, and we are moved and proud to assist our Druze brothers in Syria.”
The historic initiative was launched by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) and carried out in cooperation with MDA, COGAT, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Each of the five ambulances was equipped with medical equipment kits for EMTs and physicians, provided by IFCJ.
