Israeli aid delegation arrives in Colombia to assist with post-quake rescue operations

An Israeli aid delegation arrived in Cali, Colombia, on Friday to assist with rescue operations following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country earlier in the week. The 80-person team includes officials from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Defense Ministry, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the mission after newly appointed Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella requested Israel's assistance. Colombia has specifically asked for search-and-rescue teams from four countries: the United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Israel.

Prior to the delegation's arrival, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar dispatched a Foreign Ministry team to Cali to coordinate the rescue efforts. The midwestern city is Colombia's third-largest and was among the areas most severely impacted by the natural disaster.

Foreign Ministry representative Alon Lavi and IDF rescue unit commander Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Yossi Pinto were among the first to arrive to assess the situation and identify rescue sites. The team, named the “Alliance of Friends,” is expected to commence its humanitarian assistance shortly. Colombian authorities reported that approximately 400 people remain missing nearly four days after the quake, which originated in the Chocó department on the Pacific coast. The death toll has reached 285, with around 4,000 injured.