Israel is sending a rescue delegation to earthquake-stricken Venezuela, diplomat Yoad Magen, a Venezuela native, called on citizens to help, according to Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom). The mission follows a series of international relief efforts as the death toll is reported to have exceeded 1,400.
Israeli diplomat Yoad Magen, a native of Venezuela, called on local citizens to assist the rescue effort on Tuesday, as an official Israeli delegation prepares to depart for the earthquake-stricken country. The appeal comes as The Zioneer reported earlier on Tuesday that a joint IDF-Foreign Ministry delegation, led by Ambassador Yoed Magen and Home Front Command Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Elad Edri, is scheduled to depart at 22:18 Jerusalem time. The new delegation builds on an earlier Israeli rescue team already on the ground in Valencia since Monday, operating without diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The Zioneer has tracked the Israeli response since Monday evening, when the Foreign Ministry confirmed the official mission, and earlier reports by Tomer Almagor (N12) noted the delegation would proceed despite the absence of diplomatic relations since 2009. By 22:18 Monday, the desk published multiple versions detailing the delegation's composition — including engineering specialists and diplomatic staff — and the role of the National Security Council in coordination. The initial report of an Israeli rescue team on the ground, from Magen, Ready for Rescue, and SmartAID, was published at 14:25 Monday, with their deployment in Valencia confirmed later that day at 15:30 Jerusalem.
The broader international context has been covered since the earthquake struck last week: as The Zioneer reported on June 27, the EU activated its civil protection mechanism with 520 rescuers, and at least 16 nations have dispatched teams. The death toll has surpassed 1,400, with experts warning a final count could reach 55,000. Israel's official delegation now joins that effort, despite the absence of formal relations.
The exact timing of the delegation's departure and the scope of Magen's public appeal — including the specific channels through which citizens are asked to assist — remain to be detailed.
10 developments
- DevelopingIsraeli rescue team on the ground in Venezuela as Jewish community launches emergency fundraiser
- DevelopingFirst Israeli rescue mission departs for Venezuela
- StrongIsrael considers humanitarian aid mission to earthquake-stricken Venezuela
- StrongFM Sa'ar announces Israel will send aid delegation to Venezuela despite no diplomatic ties
Source and signal
- Internal intake