As multiple crisis relief projects are underway in Israel, Edward Graham flew in to assess how Samaritan’s Purse can better serve each civilian as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. From building ambulance exchange points to providing armored ambulances for first responders, Samaritan’s Purse is dedicated to helping civilians affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict and to remind each community that they are forgotten.
Source: www.samaritanspurse.org
SCRIPT:
Edward Graham – COO Samaritan’s Purse
We’ve been flying up the Jordan River valley just over the west Bank. But these communities were hit up here. They are all to forgotten about, but Samaritan’s Purse hasn’t forgotten about them. We’ve got some great relationships with local community leaders, churches in the area. We’re very thankful for the work and opportunities that we get to have that these people are hurting.
And so today, I’m gonna go get eyes on myself to see what the team’s been involved with. There’s a long way to go for healing, and that’s why we’re here. To let Israel know they’re not forgotten about and that God loves them.
Samaritan’s Purse with Harvest Church is delivering ambulances throughout Israel in order to support communities like the one I’m in right here, the ambulance we dedicated is coming to this community here.
Rockets and missiles came into this community center and then the skylight above me. They sent a drone in and attacked, and it killed an individual whre I’m standing wounded several others. You can see the shrapnel behind me, but Samaritan’s Purse, we’re going around the country and were building ambulance exchange points. And this will be able to house ambulances, keep the medical staff safe and then be able to serve these communities.
This is a place where the community leaders were just describing the horrors that have happened here. People are still fearful about coming back. So, it’s about helping these local leaders bring back confidence so people will move back to these areas, but we also want Israel to know they’re not forgotten.
Right now, I’m flying South and this is the Gaza Strip, just off to my right. And besides this, on the south, on the Egyptian border, Hamas came out and attacked the community there. And there’s the local Jewish and Arab communities that were attacked. Today I’m going to go see another ambulance exchange point location and this will help bring security to the community, bring comfort back to the community to build back. There’s still a lot of people displaced here.
Michel Uziyahu – Mayor of Eshkol
On October 7th, 70% of the massacre happened. Out of 17,000 residents, 244 of our community members were murdered viciously that day. Half of the hostages, 119 of the hostages, are members of our community. Every fourth person was either murdered or kidnapped.
Edward Graham
I’m in the community in the kibbutz of Nir Oz, and this is where they burned the houses down.
They pulled children away from their parents. They murdered babies. I’ve heard the story of the survivors. You see the pictures of the wall, the photos of those that are no longer here. Part of this community has been killed or still in captivity. And there’s operations explosions have been happening the whole time I’ve been touring this village. But the community leaders are rebuilding, and they want to bring people back to this kibbutz this summer and start bringing this community back. And Samaritan’s Purse has just committed and agreed to partner with them and helping them with a community clinic and a resilience center.
Michal
We are determined to make sure that the tragedy won’t define us. And with your support, we would make sure that in two years, three years, four years, people will come here to see how the Jewish people choose life and this place will be filled with life.
And to think that the terrorists fear the most, more than the Israeli tank or the air force, is the voices of children laughting. And we are determined to make it.
Edward
In a community like this has had so much hurt, pain, murders and the kidnappings and the splitting apart of families, so much brokenness and pain.
But it’s my hope and prayer of healing. I’ve walked and talked to some of the survivors, and I’ve asked, do you have hate in your heart? And they don’t. I don’t understand that myself as a human, but they love their neighbors and they want peace. But we can’t help Israel without you. I ask that you continue to pray for Israel.
They need your prayers. They need our support. So thank you and I appreciate all those that support Samaritan’s Purse for being a part of this. I love you very much. Pray for Israel.
Story Provided By:
Samaritan’s Purse
Producing Organization
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
Recording Location
Israel
Organization featured in this Story
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
People Interviewed and their Titles
Edward Graham – COO Samaritan’s Purse
Michal Uziyahu – Mayor of Eshkole
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