Israel Sends Humanitarian and Rescue Mission to Colombia After Devastating Earthquake

Following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia on Monday, Israel is dispatching a joint rescue and humanitarian aid delegation named "Alliance of Friends." The mission, coordinated by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IDF, and the Ministry of Defense, will depart from Nevatim Airbase overnight Thursday. Upon arrival, the team will immediately begin rescue operations and distribute food and water to earthquake victims. The delegation is led by retired Brigadier General Yossi Pinto, commander of the Home Front Command's national rescue unit, and includes about 80 personnel with expertise in various fields, both active and reserve.

The Israeli embassy in Colombia will coordinate the mission's activities with local authorities. The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, one of Colombia's poorest and most isolated areas, at a depth of 107 kilometers. It is the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia this century. The disaster has caused at least 254 deaths, with 101 fatalities in Pereira and 95 in Cali, and injured over 2,595 people. Nearly 200 individuals remain missing.

The quake caused widespread destruction in western Colombia, severely damaging or collapsing homes, schools, medical centers, and public buildings, and temporarily shutting down several airports for safety inspections. Reports indicate nearly 5,000 homes were damaged, with hundreds destroyed, alongside damage to 18 medical centers and 52 schools. The mountainous terrain, dense forests, and damaged roads complicate rescue and relief efforts, especially in remote communities. Aid workers describe the affected area as very rural and geologically difficult to access, with ongoing assessments to determine the full scale of the emergency.