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Israeli medics to remain in Turkey despite security threat claims

The IDF and Magen David Adom insist they are unaware of any risk to rescue workers on the ground

February 14, 2023 09:45
turkey earthquakes
Rescue teams continue to search for victims and survivors amid collapsed buildings after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the border region of Turkey and Syria earlier in the week, in Kahramanmaras on February 13, 2023. - The death toll from a catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria climbed above 35,000 on February 13, 2023, with search and rescue teams starting to wind down their work. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
2 min read

Israeli medics will continue providing aid to earthquake victims in Turkey, despite one team cutting its mission short over security concerns.

A United Hatzalah team left Turkey on Sunday after learning of a “concrete and immediate threat,” Dov Maisel, the NGO’s vice president of operations, said.

Speaking to the Times of Israel, a spokesperson added: “There were threats against different international delegations to kidnap people and hold them ransom so the government would not be able to fulfill its plan. 

“Not just the Israeli team is wrapping up, but a lot of other teams have started to wrap up because of this as well, because of the way that the locals are taking the government message.”