Israeli Rescue Team Arrives in Venezuela a Week After Devastating Earthquakes

A week after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, an official Israeli rescue delegation of seven members has landed in the country, delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. A larger contingent of about 20 additional personnel will follow after an advance team completes initial preparations. The Israeli team’s primary focus will be urgent structural assessments to enable residents to safely return to their homes and businesses, aiding the recovery process.

International aid organizations have warned that Venezuela’s fragile healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to the earthquakes. Hospitals damaged by the quakes face staff shortages and struggle to treat the influx of injured people. Harsh conditions in the disaster zones increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, according to reports from the Associated Press.

Local and international rescue teams continue searching for survivors amid the rubble. Official government figures report over 1,700 deaths, with more bodies being recovered daily from collapsed buildings. The Israeli rescue mission, including members from Magen and SmartAID, is operating in severely affected areas with extensive infrastructure damage. Team leader Eran Magen described the situation as highly challenging, emphasizing the need for caution, professionalism, and close cooperation with local forces.

In parallel, the international ZAKA team, comprising 30 members including eight Israeli volunteers, has been working on-site for several days alongside rescuers from Guatemala and Colombia. United Nations agencies have expressed concern over thousands displaced, many forced to sleep outdoors or in overcrowded shelters with poor sanitation, heightening the threat of contagious diseases. Israeli teams from civil society organizations are also active in the field, supporting ongoing humanitarian efforts amid warnings of a growing crisis.