Dompet Dhuafa Ambulance Hit by Israeli Missile

Ambulans Dompet Dhuafa Kena Rudal Israel

JAKARTA – A Dompet Dhuafa ambulance, which was mobilizing health services for the survivors of Israeli violence in Palestine, was hit by an Israeli missile. This heartbreaking information was received by dr. Yeni Purnamasari, GM of Health at Dompet Dhuafa, on the early morning of Sunday (8/10/2023). The news came from Dompet Dhuafa’s partners, dr. Mohammed J. Shabat, a Member of the Board of Directors and Medical Coordinator of FPEA, and Fares Afana SH, M. Disaster Management, Head of Emergency at Kamal Adwan Hospital and Chairman of FPEA (Al-Fursan Palestinian Emergency Association).

“The ambulance was attacked by a missile on the front side. It was evident that the missile directly hit the front side of the ambulance, and we were informed that the ambulance driver lost his right eye due to the incident. Additionally, a patient was injured during the evacuation, and one of the paramedics had to be amputated,” explained dr. Yeni at the Dompet Dhuafa ‘Solidarity for Palestine’ Press Conference in the lobby of the Philanthropy Building, South Jakarta, on Thursday (12/10/2023).

Baca juga: Bangun Tuntutan Global, Hentikan Kekerasan Israel di Palestina, Bukan Saling Menyalahkan

“We will ensure when the situation is safe. Whether this ambulance can still be used or not? According to the data we have, there have been 12 ambulances attacked until today,” she added.

Ambulans Dompet Dhuafa Kena Rudal Israel

Ambulans Dompet Dhuafa dalam konflik Israel Palestina
Dompet Dhuafa’s Ambulance experienced Israeli missile attack

She also mentioned that the ambulance had been there since 2022. This ambulance was a gift from the people of Indonesia through Dompet Dhuafa and a collaboration with the Perhimpunan BMT Indonesia (PBMTI) and LAZ MKU, operating at Kamal Adwan Hospital. The ambulance had been operational for a year but is now destroyed. However, this does not dampen the spirit of the team in the field to continue providing health services and for Dompet Dhuafa to strive to bring the needs of the ambulance fleet back.

“Until today, medical staff, through dr. Mohammed, still cannot approach the location, as it is still an area bombarded with missiles until yesterday. He communicated with me directly because the internet connection there is not feasible, this conversation was also intermittent, and they asked for our prayers because they are working day and night for rescue and evacuation,” said dr. Yeni.

Baca juga: Dompet Dhuafa Serukan Solidaritas Untuk Palestina

Ambulans Dompet Dhuafa Kena Rudal Israel
Dr. Yeni Purnamasari when explaining the condition of the Dompet Dhuafa Ambulance which was hit by an Israeli missile attack

Through a brief video, Fares Afana translated dr. Mohammed’s words, “We want to inform that on Saturday, October 7, 2023, the ambulance donated by Dompet Dhuafa, which is actually a trust from the people of Indonesia for the Palestinians, was directly attacked with a missile and the ambulance is damaged or cannot operate anymore in the mission to evacuate victims in Central Gaza. More than 1,000 martyrs have died and thousands are injured. Among them, many were evacuated from their homes without being informed that it would be bombed. Until now, many victims have not yet been evacuated because missiles are still attacking.”

Ambulans Dompet Dhuafa Kena Rudal Israel
Dr. Yeni Purnamasari when explaining the condition of the Dompet Dhuafa Ambulance which was hit by an Israeli missile attack

He continued, “On behalf of Al Fursan Palestinian Emergency Association, we are very grateful to Dompet Dhuafa, who over the past year has supported us in medical matters, both ambulances and hospitals which are indeed very helpful in saving lives caused by this war. I also do not forget to thank the people of Indonesia for their support until now. Again, we ask for help and support from Dompet Dhuafa and other organizations to support the medical team in Gaza, mainly to realize ambulance units or at least support in medical matters so that we can help the Palestinian people with what is happening. Please pray for us from this very bad war.” (Dompet Dhuafa/Syafira/Dhika Prabowo)