Despite Flooding, IAF Conducts Six Rescue and Evacuation Operations In Israel’s Southern Region

18 January 2010

Today, the Israel Air Force conducted six rescue operations under harsh weather conditions and despite the severe  flooding in Israel’s southern region. Below are the details of the various rescue operations successfully conducted today:

1. Overnight, two IDF officers on routine activity were carried away in their vehicle by floodwaters in the Nitzana area, near the Israel-Egypt border.

2. A pregnant Bedouin woman was rescued this morning near the Faran River and evacuated to the nearest hospital.

3. Two truck drivers and a young boy injured in a car accident were also rescued this morning near the Faran River . After the evacuation they received medical treatment at an IAF military base in Ovda.

4. This afternoon, three Israeli civilians traveling in their vehicle were carried away by floodwaters in the Ein Yahav area. The IAF Rescue and Evacuation Unit, 669, rescued one civilian. An additional civilian died in the incident and one person is currently still missing.

5. Following an electrical blackout in Azuz, also in the Nitzana area this afternoon, two premature babies and a kidney-failure patient requiring medical treatment were evacuated to the nearest hospital.

6. This evening, four Israeli civilians carried by the flooding into Najal Hizba were rescued in a complex rescue operation and was evacuated by an IAF helicopter.

IAF helicopters and the 669 Rescue and Evacuation Unit are constantly prepared and continue to conduct life-saving activity daily. Additionally, entrance to the communities of Azuz, Kadesh Barneah and Nitzana were blocked to traffic. Equipment including generators, water tankers, food and dairy products were transferred to these communities by IDF forces from the Gaza Division in cooperation with the Ramat Negev and Eshkol regional councils.