Israel, January 26, 2026 – Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system, has announced that five of its ambulances that had been decommissioned from operational service have been transferred to Druze medical forces in southern Syria, a humanitarian step aimed at strengthening lifesaving capabilities in Druze villages in southern Syria.
The historic initiative was launched by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) and carried out in cooperation with Magen David Adom and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Each of the five ambulances was equipped with medical equipment kits for EMTs and physicians, provided by IFCJ. You can view the video here and photos here.
“This is a historic day,” said Magen David Adom’s Director-General Eli Bin. “The severe harm inflicted on our Druze brothers in Syria obligates us to act. Magen David Adom operates with a deep commitment to the supreme value of saving lives, without distinction of religion, nationality, or border.”
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 Magen David Adom 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.
“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 Magen David Adom 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.”
“The Fellowship is a lived partnership, Christians standing with Jews in Israel, and that partnership carries responsibility,” said IFCJ President Yael Eckstein. “The Druze community is an inseparable part of Israel’s society and security, and when Druze and Christian communities just across our border are targeted for their faith, indifference is not an option. This initiative reflects who we are, acting together to protect life, uphold dignity, and offer hope.”
Eli Bin also reflected on Magen David Adom’s values, which stand at the heart of the decision to help: “This reflects the values that have guided Magen David Adom 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.”
About Magen David Adom
Magen David Adom is Israel’s emergency services system. A leader in mass-casualty response and in EMS technology, Magen David Adom treats and transports more than one million people to hospitals every year; collects, tests, and distributes blood to Israel’s hospitals and the Israel Defense Forces; and responds to disasters around the world. For more information, visit SavingLivesInIsrael.org.
