In a joint operation that was Headed by Miami physician Dr. Zev Neuwirth, United Hatzalah of Israel, Zaka, and Hatzalah Air joined together to rescue a Jewish family, who was seriously injured by a Russian bombing inside Ukraine. Several family members were left in serious condition, while others were in moderate condition after a Russian airstrike hit their apartment complex.

Zaka’s emergency team arranged for transport from the place of the bombing to the free zone between the Ukrainian and Moldovan border where the family was handed off to United Hatzalah of Israel who arranged for a special ambulance to be brought. The United Hatzalah personnel who are stationed at the border and assisting refugees worked with the border officials together with officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry helped speed the process of crossing the border for the family. The team then brought the family to Romania where Hatzalah Air, a U.S.-based emergency flight organization will be airlifting them to receive additional medical care at a hospital. 

Dr. Neuwirth said, “This was a joint operation and would not have succeeded without the effort of all three organizations. Zaka arranged transport within Ukraine to the free zone by the Moldova border. At which time the patients were transferred to 2 United Hatzalah ambulances and driven 3 1/2 hours under my care together with other advanced care paramedics and EMTs from United Hatzalah into Romania to an awaiting plane from Hatzalah Air which flew in especially from the United States for this mission. Hatzalah Air then airlifted the patients to a specialized trauma facility.”

Nachman Dickstein, deputy director of ZAKA, said, “The situation is exceptionally challenging. We provide an immediate response to any reports from representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chabad emissaries in Ukraine via the ZAKA hotline.”

Dr. Neuwirth added, “I am proud to announce that our 50+ member team from United Hatzalah is now in full operation here in Moldova and standing by to receive, treat, transfer, and airlift, refugees and people seeking medical aid as necessary in the region. We are treating and assisting all refugees regardless of race or religion.”

Dr. Neuwirth is a Miami-based Internal Medicine doctor & Hospitalist with extensive prehospital and military experience.