IDF gives update following first day of assisting Brazil; Delegation using Israeli technology, including drones; IDF: Brazil, we are with you!
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues to assist Brazil in its search and rescue efforts following the collapse of the Brumadinho dam over the weekend.
The Israeli delegation consists of 130 soldiers, 70 of which are reserve personnel, and includes engineering experts, doctors, search and rescue teams, firefighters, soldiers from the Israeli Navy’s underwater missions unit (Yatam 707), the Oketz K9 unit [canine unit] and much more. The delegation is also using Israeli technology, including advanced cellular location, naval sonar and drones. Medical supplies and equipment were also deployed with the delegation over the weekend.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that the IDF in “accordance with Israeli Government directives and in close coordination with the Brazilian Government, sent a search and rescue delegation with special teams to assist in the rescue effort. The IDF aid mission has been dispatched to help save lives.”
It also updated on its progress from its first 24 hours assisting Brazil, taking to Twitter to report, “Our troops are hard at work in the field helping locate the trapped and missing, using rescue techniques & technology. A number of corpses have been found and evacuated. Brazil, we are with you!”
The IDF vowed to continue to assist Brazil, and any country in humanitarian need, reaffirming Sunday, “The State of Israel and the IDF will continue to assist in the aftermath of disasters across the globe that require our experience.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro over the weekend and confirmed Israel would act as a first responder and sent an emergency delegation over the weekend. Israeli NGO’s are expected to begin arriving in Brazil in the coming days to assist the IDF forces.
Photo: ruskpp/Shutterstock.com
