Fri Sep 20 08:00:13 UTC 2024: ## Samaritan’s Purse Donates 42 Ambulances to Israel, Honors Lives Lost in Hamas War

**BEERSHEBA, ISRAEL –** Samaritan’s Purse, a North Carolina-based humanitarian aid ministry, has donated over 42 ambulances to Israel since the war with Hamas began in October 2023. This week, the organization pledged an additional 20 ambulances, bringing the total to 42. The donations were made during a ceremony dedicating two armored ambulances in memory of three American-Israelis killed by Hamas.

Reverend Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, emphasized the urgent need for these vehicles, stating, “The need is so great, we have just committed to providing 20 more armored ambulances.” He praised the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services team as “heroes” for their work in saving lives.

The organization also unveiled a new ambulance center near the Gaza border, a location that previously lacked such facilities. The center is designed to decrease response times for paramedics in emergency situations. A new MDA station in Avshalom, also bordering Gaza, is under construction, with the goal of building a “bridge between the awful events that happened and a much more hopeful future,” according to MDA Director General Eli Bin.

Samaritan’s Purse has been a consistent supporter of Israel throughout the conflict, previously donating 14 ambulances in January after Hamas forces destroyed rescue vehicles during the October 2023 attack.

The generosity of Reverend Graham and Samaritan’s Purse has been widely praised by Israeli officials. “A true friend of the state of Israel,” said Gadi Yarkoni, mayor of the Eshkol Regional Council.

Samaritan’s Purse operates in over 100 countries worldwide, providing humanitarian aid to those affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution.

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