New Ambulances
Honor Israel's Heroes

Dear Friend,

I've just returned from Jerusalem, where I had the incredible privilege of dedicating 14 new ambulances in memory of the brave medics who were killed as they worked heroically to save lives after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

When I was in Israel late last year, I pledged that Samaritan's Purse would replace ambulances destroyed in the horrific raid. We presented them on a rainy day in a special ceremony at the National Library of Israel, hosted by the mayor of Jerusalem. "Every single ambulance saves dozens of lives," said Mayor Moshe Lion.

Each ambulance bears the name and picture of a fallen first responder, plus Scripture in English on one side and Hebrew on the other. Many of the verses are comforting Psalms written by King David, which was appropriate since the ambulances will be operated by Magen David Adom—literally the "Red Star of David," which is the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. I went from one ambulance to the next to comfort and talk with each family.

I met one mother whose husband was killed, and then she and her two children were held hostage for nearly two months. I can't imagine the trauma she has been through.

One bereaved father told me he had lost "the one dearest to me in the entire world" when his 19-year-old daughter Lior was killed. "She was full of compassion, with a big heart. Helping others and saving lives were always in the front of her eyes." He described the ambulances as "a symbol of life, courage, and hope. Every time one of these ambulances goes on a mission, it will be like Lior and her friends are still helping and saving lives."

ON THE GROUND: Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, joined hundreds of Israeli citizens last week to dedicate 14 new ambulances to Israel’s emergency services agency, Magen David Adom.

At the dedication, I was glad to see a family I met on my previous trip to Israel. Their daughter, Amit, dreamed of becoming a singer or actress but volunteered to work in a clinic in Kibbutz Be'eri. On the day of the attack, she worked tirelessly to bind wounds and save lives, only to be executed by bloodthirsty Hamas raiders. Her last words in a call to her family: "They're here. I don't think I'll make it out. I love you!"

I met with the family of Dr. Eitan Ne'eman, a father of seven who grew up in Jerusalem's historic "Old City." He was killed as he served as a medic with the Israeli Defense Forces in the first days of their counterattack.

Our dedication ceremony was within walking distance of the places where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, and where He taught a lesson that seemed to speak for these medics: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).

While I was in Israel, 24 soldiers were killed, barely 100 miles from Jerusalem. It was the deadliest day in Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks, and it served as a reminder of the urgent need for ambulances and advanced trauma care. Samaritan's Purse has eight more armored ambulances on the way to Israel, and we have airlifted a thousand advanced trauma kits that medical professionals can use to save lives.

On behalf of the people of Israel, I want to thank everyone whose gifts and prayers made it possible for us to provide these ambulances. This part of the world is particularly challenging for our work. God has given us favor throughout the region to help people on all sides of the conflict.

Please pray now for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), and ask the Lord to continue to open doors and give us opportunities for ministry there. May God bless you.

Sincerely,
Franklin Graham