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REUTERS/STOYAN NENOVA - The earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, has plunged the affected areas into devastation
Margarita Arredondas
Updated: 10/02/23

Rescue teams continue to search for survivors under the rubble days after the destructive earthquake that struck southwestern Turkey and northern Syria. The death toll in both countries continues to rise, now exceeding 16,000. However, thousands are still missing and this number will unfortunately rise as the hours go by.

The earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, has plunged the affected areas into devastation, but has also provoked a wave of international solidarity with Turkey and Syria. Shortly after the earthquake, dozens of countries announced that they would send rescue teams to Turkey.

Syria's situation, due to war and sanctions, is even more complicated, so it has not received as much international assistance as its northern neighbour. However, this morning the first convoy of international aid arrived in the northwest of the nation through the Bab al Hawa border crossing, which links Syria's Idlib province with Turkey. 

One of the first to send aid to the affected Turkish areas was Israel, which responded "immediately" to the international appeal from Turkey's Interior Ministry, Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Irit Lillian said during a briefing by the Hebrew rescue team in the country.

irit-lillian-israel-turkey

Shortly after the earthquake, the Israeli government began organising the first missions under an operation called "Olive Branch". At the same time, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called his Turkish counterpart and President Isaac Herzog called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to whom he conveyed his condolences for the catastrophe.

The diplomat stressed the destruction in the affected areas. "There are neighbourhoods completely destroyed, thousands of people are missing," she said. Lillian also recalled that, in addition to the rescue teams, Israel had sent humanitarian aid to the affected regions. 

The Israeli delegation will stay "as long as necessary"

The press conference was also addressed by David Saranga, an Israeli diplomat and one of the leaders of the rescue mission sent to Turkey. "If you're not here, you can't imagine the tragedy," Saranga said from one of the areas affected by the devastating quake. 

david-saranga-israel-aid-turkiye

Saranga's 150-strong team arrived about 36 hours ago, although he said they feel they have been here for "four weeks" as the activity is "very intense". His delegation, which includes members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Home Front Command, took about five hours to reach the areas assigned by the Turkish authorities due to the poor state of the roads after the earthquake.

Once there, the Israeli mission, one of the first international delegations to land, was met with a desolate sight. A burning building and small fires with survivors around it were all that could be seen in the darkness. "People who lived in the destroyed buildings and had survived were standing next to the ruins trying to hear someone alive under the rubble," recalls Saranga. 

The Israeli diplomat also assured that the delegation would stay "as long as it takes". "We are prepared to stay for two to four weeks," he said, although usually after three or four days it is no longer necessary to continue the rescue work.

Israeli rescuers began operating in two seven-storey buildings housing about 45 flats each. After eight hours of work they managed to rescue a 12-year-old boy and a 20-year-old girl. "The survivors are lying next to the rubble with blankets waiting for news. They are hopeful," says Saranga.

With freezing temperatures at night and a strong wind, the chances of finding survivors after several days are low. However, Saranga stresses that "miracles can happen". In this regard, Lior Haiat, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, recalled that after the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, Israeli rescue teams found survivors five or six days later.

Israeli field hospital will be one of the first to set up in the area

In addition to rescuers, Israel will set up a field hospital in the affected area to treat the injured. To this end, the Israeli government will send another delegation of 230 people, including military doctors, to Turkey.

"We are very proud to help Turkey at a difficult time," revealed General Gilad Keinan, as reported by The Times of Israel. "This action reflects the values of the IDF and Israel," he added. Diplomat Irit Lillian said the hospital would "probably" be the first to be operational in the area. 

Lillian also stressed the importance of helping Turkey at this time from anywhere in the world through the country's embassies or consulates. The Israeli diplomat pointed out that after the earthquake, the infrastructure was severely damaged, which is why there are currently problems with the water supply.

Water purification systems are needed, as the debris has contaminated the water. Electricity generators, medicines - two hospitals in the region have been completely destroyed - blankets, coats and tents are also needed. 

Finally, Haiat stressed that the aid provided by Israel shows how important it is for the country to offer help to its neighbours. "It's not a political thing, it's a humanitarian thing," he said. At this point, Haiat also alluded to Tikkun Olam, one of the most important principles of Judaism, which seeks to make the world a better place.

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