United Hatzalah Honors Volunteers Three Years After October 7th Attacks

A memorial and appreciation ceremony for United Hatzalah volunteers was held at the organization's national headquarters in Jerusalem, marking three years since the October 7th events. The event honored the extraordinary bravery and dedication of hundreds of volunteers who were among the first responders in the Gaza border region during the heavy attacks, saving countless civilian and military lives.

Attendees included Chairman of Shas, Rabbi Aryeh Deri; former Health Minister MK Rabbi Uriel Buso, who is also a volunteer EMT with the organization; United Hatzalah President and Founder Eli Beer; CEO Prof. Ehud Davidson; Deputy CEO Eli Pollack; Head of the Health Ministry's Operations Division Yisrael Iluz; members of the organization's management; and staff and volunteers.

Eli Beer emotionally recounted the events of that fateful Saturday, stating that United Hatzalah volunteers "ran straight into the fire" to save lives when no other civilian entities could enter the area. He noted that they treated hundreds of wounded, both soldiers and civilians, under constant fire. Beer revealed that among those saved was Mossad Director Roman Gofman, whose life was saved by the volunteers' resourcefulness.

Beer also disclosed a special initiative facilitated by Rabbi Aryeh Deri and his wife Yaffa, arranging a meeting between the mothers of hostages Omer Shem Tov and Sasha Tropanov and philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson, to aid efforts for the return of the hostages.

Rabbi Aryeh Deri praised the volunteers' spirit of mutual aid and sacrifice, stating that the organization's volunteers, including the Haredi volunteers who saved his life, exemplify the spirit of mutual responsibility and self-sacrifice characteristic of the Jewish people. He highlighted their actions on October 7th and their ongoing daily efforts across the country to save lives without distinction.