Israeli Rescue Team Departs for Colombia After Deadly Earthquake

An Israeli rescue delegation of about 80 personnel from the IDF, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to depart tonight for Colombia following the deadly earthquake that struck the country on Monday. The team, operating under the "Best Friends" mission, includes rescue experts from both active duty and reserves and will fly out from Nevatim Airbase. The operation is jointly led by the Home Front Command and the Foreign Ministry, with retired Brigadier General Yossi Pinto, commander of the Home Front Command's national rescue unit, heading the mission.

Upon arrival, the Israeli team will immediately begin search and rescue efforts and rapid mapping of destruction sites to locate survivors. Home Front Command Chief Major General Shay Kalper described the mission as urgent life-saving assistance. The earthquake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, resulting in at least 265 deaths, over 3,500 injuries, and nearly 500 missing persons. The hardest-hit cities include Cali and Pereira, where rescue teams are racing against time amid collapsed buildings, using cranes and search dogs to detect signs of life.

One notable rescue involved a three-month-old infant named Solomon, saved from the rubble of a five-story building in Cali along with his father, Juan David Gomez, who was injured and underwent surgery. The infant and father are in stable condition, while the mother and younger sibling remain trapped under debris with their survival uncertain. The earthquake caused extensive damage, destroying more than 11,000 housing units and leaving thousands homeless. Many residents are spending nights outdoors due to destruction and fear of aftershocks, with over 100 aftershocks recorded since the main quake.