Terror attacks in Israel continue to escalate, occurring nearly daily. Last Saturday, five people were shot and wounded outside a convenience store near Hebron. One of them was one of our own.
Ofer Ohana is a senior EMT with Magen David Adom who responded within minutes. While attempting to treat one of the victims, who ultimately died of his wounds, Ofer was shot and remains in critical condition. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery.
“When I ran to get the medical kit, I heard [Ofer] shout, ‘I’m injured. I’ve been shot.’ We took cover and while I provided lifesaving treatment to [Ofer], we called for extra resources. He was severely injured,” said EMT Israel Lior, who was first on the scene with Ofer.
On Sunday, five soldiers were victims of two car-ramming attacks in Jericho, and like Ofer, Magen David Adom teams put their lives on the line to treat the young men.
On Wednesday, another car-ramming attack severely injured a 20-year-old man in the Jerusalem region, and this morning, a 30-year-old man was the victim of a stabbing attack at the Western Wall.
The brave men and women of MDA know the risks they face when they are called to a scene of a terror attack, but they respond swiftly and boldly, hoping to save as many lives as possible.
MDA has reminded personnel about taking necessary precautions. They issued warnings that what may be initially reported as car accidents, may turn out to be car-ramming attacks and to be on alert for unapprehended terrorists who attempt to ambush first responders as was the case with Ofer.