Press Release – October 19, 2024
1 Fatality and 14 Casualties from Hezbollah Rocket Fire from Lebanon to Northern Israel
Following the massive rocket fire from Hezbollah from Lebanon toward northern Israel this morning, Magen David Adom EMTs and Paramedics pronounced the death of a 51-year-old man and provided medical treatment to 14 casualties resulting from several strikes in different areas of northern Israel, including Akko, Kiryat, and the Western Galilee. All casualties were evacuated by MDA teams to Rambam Hospital, the Galilee Medical Center, and Nahariya Hospital. Among the casualties: 2 in moderate condition, 8 in mild condition, and 4 suffering from anxiety.
Around 10:30 AM this morning (Saturday), a direct hit in Kiryat Ata led to the injury of 9 people due to shrapnel, blast injuries, and anxiety. The casualties, including 3 from shrapnel injuries (a 28-year-old man in moderate condition and a man and woman around 40 in mild condition), 2 individuals with mild blast injuries, and 4 suffering from anxiety, received medical treatment from Magen David Adom teams and were evacuated to Rambam Hospital.
MDA Senior EMT Ofek Zabarov, one of the first responders at the scene in Kiryat Ata, said:
“We were very close to the location and got out of the ambulance to take cover. Suddenly, we heard a loud explosion, and shrapnel flew in our direction and hit the ambulance. We got back into the ambulance and immediately headed to a nearby street where the strike occurred. We saw destruction in one of the buildings and a crowd of people coming out. Casualties started arriving from the apartment that was hit and from other apartments in the building. We treated a 28-year-old man, fully conscious, with shrapnel injuries to his ear, neck, and limbs. We provided him with initial treatment, and shortly after, a man and woman around 40 arrived with shrapnel injuries to their limbs. They were also fully conscious and in mild condition. In addition, a young man and woman in their 20s were injured by the blast, suffering from injuries to their back, limbs, and hearing. We treated the 5 casualties and evacuated them to hospital in mild condition. Additionally, 4 individuals suffering from anxiety were evacuated from the scene. It was a complex incident, during which we scanned the apartments to ensure there were no additional casualties.”
At the same time in the Western Galilee, Magen David Adom teams treated and evacuated 4 casualties with shrapnel injuries after a strike near a vehicle on an open road. Among the casualties was a 30-year-old man in moderate condition and 3 others in mild condition. All were evacuated to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya.
MDA Senior EMT Avinoam Crispin said:
“We arrived at the scene and saw several casualties with shrapnel injuries who had exited their vehicle. They were injured by a strike on the open road near the vehicle. We treated 4 casualties, one of whom was in moderate condition with shrapnel injuries to his limbs and ear, while the others suffered mild shrapnel injuries. We provided initial medical treatment and evacuated them to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya.”
Around 1:00 PM, a 50-year-old man was killed near Akko after being struck by shrapnel from a direct hit near his vehicle. Another casualty, in mild condition, was evacuated from the scene after receiving initial treatment from Magen David Adom teams and transported to the Galilee Medical Center.
MDA Paramedic Orit Ohana, one of the first responders at the scene, said:
“We arrived quickly at the scene and saw a vehicle that had been hit by a direct strike nearby. Inside the vehicle was a 50-year-old man who had pulled over to the side of the road and was hit by shrapnel. Unfortunately, his injuries were severe, and we had no choice but to pronounce him dead. Additionally, another casualty, in moderate condition, was evacuated from the scene after exiting the vehicle when the siren was heard.”
MDA Senior EMT Alex Mutzkin said:
“We arrived at the scene and saw a vehicle on the side of the road hit by heavy shrapnel, with shattered windows and damage to nearby shops. Inside the car was a 50-year-old driver, and next to him sat a man in his 40s. He told us that when the siren sounded, they pulled over to the side of the road, and suddenly, they heard an explosion before they had a chance to exit the car. The driver did not manage to duck, while the passenger beside him crouched down and put his head between his knees. Due to the shrapnel, the driver sustained fatal injuries, and after resuscitation efforts, we had to pronounce him dead. The passenger beside him exited the vehicle fully conscious, suffering from a shrapnel scratch near his ear. We provided medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in mild and stable condition. This incident demonstrated the importance of following the Home Front Command’s instructions; in this case, the passenger’s crouching down saved his life.”
Magen David Adom teams are on high alert and continue to provide medical assistance wherever needed. MDA teams are deployed throughout the country, ready to respond quickly and efficiently to any emergency, with the goal of saving lives and providing swift, professional care to the injured.
MDA Director General Eli Bin: “MDA teams are deployed throughout the country and ready to respond quickly to any incident. We urge the public to follow the Home Front Command’s instructions, remain close to sheltered areas, and avoid gatherings in dangerous zones. We will continue to operate with dedication and professionalism for the health and safety of the public.”
Zaki Heller
MDA Spokesperson
