One Year Since the October 7th Attack: The Heroism of Magen David Adom Under Fire – Stories of Rescue, Pain, and Hope Behind the Numbers and Sacrifice
Since that horrific morning of October 7, when the terror attack struck the heart of Israeli communities, Magen David Adom (MDA) teams found themselves on the front lines of both combat and rescue. Despite being surrounded by heavy fire, they courageously and tirelessly worked to save lives with endless dedication. On the anniversary of the outbreak of the "Iron Swords" war, MDA not only reviews its activities but also reveals the emotional and painful stories behind the numbers—heroes who fell and those who continue to stand firm.
During the terrible events of October 7, MDA teams headed to the front lines without hesitation, even when knowing the real danger they faced. They entered terror-stricken areas, confronted pain head-on, and risked their lives to save others. Some did not return from their mission — true heroes who sacrificed their lives for others. The pain of their loss accompanies the organization, but it also strengthens the determination to continue saving lives.
During the war, 33 MDA staff members were injured to varying degrees, some during the October 7 attack in the surrounding communities. Twenty of them are still in rehabilitation.
Eighteen MDA ambulances were damaged during the attack, eight of which were completely destroyed, yet the response never stopped for a moment. Since the beginning of the war, MDA has expanded its fleet by approximately 600 new vehicles, including 189 ambulances (five of which are bulletproof) and 163 mobile intensive care units (two of which are bulletproof). Additionally, 80 motorcycles, 10 blood donation vehicles, a seven-bed intensive care evacuation bus with the capacity for 10 more lightly injured patients, and 41 emergency trailers equipped with lighting and generators were added. This equipment enables MDA to be present in every corner of the country, providing a rapid and professional response, even under fire.
Since the war began, around 5,000 new volunteers have joined MDA, including approximately 3,500 youth volunteers aged 15–18. These volunteers come from all over the country, ready to give what they can, assist, and save lives. In a time of uncertainty, MDA trained approximately 410,000 men and women in CPR and first aid courses. Through around 3,000 emergency first aid training courses, each participant was provided with the tools to save lives. This knowledge was shared across all segments of the population, aiming to create a human safety net where anyone can be a savior in critical moments.
MDA's blood donation services collected approximately 325,000 units of blood through donation drives across the country, at MDA stations, and at IDF bases. All blood donations were meticulously tested and supplied to hospitals and the IDF. For the first time this year, "whole blood" was supplied directly to combat zones, helping save both soldiers and civilians.
A particularly touching story is that of MDA’s breast milk bank, which provided 4,078 liters of milk to premature babies in need over the past year. Of that amount, 2,107 liters were supplied to infants directly affected by the war — babies whose mothers were injured, kidnapped, or recruited for duty.
Amidst the war, the midwives project was launched in collaboration with the Israeli Midwives Association. As part of the project, approximately 50 on-call MDA midwives were equipped with full equipment for safe deliveries. Since the project’s launch, several babies have been born with the assistance of these midwives, who arrived quickly to every call, bringing new life into the world, even under the harshest conditions.
During the war, the "Magen Teams" project was launched, aiming to provide for an immediate response and accessible rapid medical care by community members in peripheral areas and cities. Thousands of emergency response team members, municipal workers, security personnel, and others were trained and equipped with medical supplies to provide first aid. They can provide initial medical responses to their communities while carrying out their regular duties, serving as the first link in the chain of rescue.
MDA Director-General, Eli Bin: "We are on the front lines in the battle for the lives of Israeli citizens. When our people go out to save lives, they don't ask where the threat is or what the risk is—they focus on who needs help here and now. This past year, since the outbreak of the war, has brought unimaginable challenges and lessons learned, aimed at improving the emergency medical response. We lost heroes along the way, and our hearts are with the bereaved families every day. MDA will continue to support and honor them for the incomprehensible sacrifice of their loved ones. This is a cause of great pain, but this pain only strengthens our motivation to fight for every person we can save.
Magen David Adom has an unprecedented reach, with teams operating under fire, bulletproof vehicles, and a tremendous sense of mission. We’ve expanded our workforce, increased our vehicle fleet, and conducted mass-casualty event drills to improve our preparedness for extreme situations.We continue to fight for the lives of all those in need, and we have no intention of stopping. Magen David Adom is constantly working to improve, expand, and ensure the medical security of all Israeli citizens."
