From Horror to Humanity: United Hatzalah on the Front Lines
Yesterday morning in Jerusalem, terror once again struck the heart of Israel. Six innocent people were murdered and 21 wounded when gunmen opened fire at a crowded bus stop. Among those present was an 18-year-old student on her way to her university accounting class. She had tried to board the first bus, but it was too full. As she waited for the next one, gunshots shattered the air. In an instant, she found herself surrounded by chaos, wounded civilians, and lives forever altered.
United Hatzalah volunteers raced into danger. Gitti Beer—a mother, grandmother, and the wife of United Hatzalah founder Eli Beer—was among the first on the scene. Wearing protective gear, she ran toward the gunfire to treat the injured. Together with two fellow responders—one a Hasidic Jew and the other the organization’s Muslim ambulance driver, Ahmad—she evacuated two gunshot victims to the hospital. Their teamwork reflected the very essence of United Hatzalah: people of all backgrounds, united in the sacred mission of saving lives.
For Gitti, this courage is deeply rooted in her family history. On October 7th, she also treated wounded under fire. That day she explained her resolve:
“Since no one was there to save my family during the Holocaust, I will make sure that whenever someone needs help, I will be there for them as a paramedic.”
As ambulances sped to hospitals, United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma Unit was already at work on the ground. Trained professionals helped shocked survivors, while the canine therapy team brought comfort to children and bystanders frozen in fear.
In the face of terror, Israel’s resilience once again rose to the surface. From a student who survived by chance, to a grandmother who runs into fire, to volunteers of every faith standing shoulder to shoulder—this is the story of a people who choose life, compassion, and courage over despair.
Reflection
Terror seeks to paralyze us with fear, but Israel’s response has always been the opposite: an unshakable affirmation of life. The bravery of United Hatzalah volunteers, the compassion of those who comfort the brokenhearted, and the strength of ordinary citizens who refuse to be defeated are living proof that Israel’s spirit cannot be extinguished. In a world where cruelty is loud, our answer is even louder: a steadfast commitment to hope, unity, and humanity.