The aid will consist of humanitarian supplies such as medicine, tents and blankets.
By JNS
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime sent Israel a “near unprecedented” appeal for aid following the severe earthquake that hit the country on Monday.
Israel received the request through Russia.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake centered in southern Turkey killed more than 2,300 people, according to the latest numbers. Of those, at least 771 dead and more than 1,000 injured were in Syria. In the areas under the control of Assad’s regime, 371 deaths were reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel will help Syria, as well as Turkey.
“I have instructed to send, at the request of the Turkish government, rescue teams and medical aid…. Since a request was also received for many victims of the earthquake in Syria, I have instructed that [aid for them to be extended]as well,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister noted that Israel helps in emergency situations across the world, and would certainly act similarly in its own region.
The aid that will be transferred to Syria will be in the form of humanitarian supplies such as medicine, tents and blankets. However, unlike with Turkey, where two aid delegations will be sent, no delegation will enter Syrian territory.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “deeply saddened by the enormous disaster that has befallen Türkiye,” and offered condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish people for the loss of life.
“The State of Israel always stands ready to assist in every way possible. Our hearts are with the grieving families and the Turkish people at this painful moment,” Herzog said.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday instructed his ministry and the IDF to immediately ready emergency aid to be sent to Turkey under the auspices of the Home Front Command.
Foreign Minister Eli convened a meeting at the ministry in Jerusalem on Monday morning to discuss ways to provide aid to Turkey.
“On behalf of the State of Israel, I would like to express deep sorrow to the Turkish people for the severe earthquake that struck southern Turkey tonight,” said Cohen. “Our hearts go out to the victims, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
The earthquake toppled hundreds of buildings in Turkey and Syria early on Monday, causing shockwaves felt across the region, including in Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Israel.
Emergency medical services in Turkey and Syria said that the death toll was expected to rise in both countries as hundreds of people most likely remained trapped under collapsed structures.
The quake struck just after 4 a.m., 23 kilometers (14.3 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep Province, at a depth of 17.9 kilometers (11.1 miles), and was followed just over 10 minutes later by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Just before 1 p.m. another powerful 7.5 magnitude quake struck 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southeast of Ekinözü, Turkey, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), said the USGS.
Israelis reported feeling both tremors in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and throughout the North.