On the Scene in Times of Crisis: Israel’s Search and Rescue Teams After Venezuela's Earthquake

By Randy Pinsky

While the world was still reeling from the two 7.4 magnitude earthquakes that hit Venezuela in June 2026, Israeli search and rescue teams were already on their way, ready to offer humanitarian assistance. As the world leader in emergency response, Israel has provided some of the most advanced rescue technologies and techniques to both human-led and natural emergencies in five continents since the 1950s. It is through the use - and sharing of - these state-of-the-art specialized equipment, that the slow process of rebuilding and healing can begin. 

A Horrible End to the Day

It was 6pm in Venezuela on June 24 and employees were returning home from work. Families were preparing for supper, and evening activities were just starting; a day like any other. 

But at 6:04pm, everything changed. 

Yumare, a town to the west of the capital, Caracas, was hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, with a second 7.5 devastating one minutes later. Buildings collapsed, roads crumbled. The community was in shock.

Politics Before Lives

It has been estimated that the death toll in Latin America’s largest natural disaster in decades has risen to over 2,600, with the number of injured at 16,470, and homelessness at a staggering 17,345. According to state officials, nearly 200 buildings are confirmed to have collapsed, leaving surviving inhabitants seeking shelter in tent encampments and official shelters. 

As the oil capital of the world, one would have assumed the excavators would have been immediately dispatched to the scene, unearthing the chunks of concrete to maximize finding the survivors. In crises like this, time is of the essence.

But this was not to be. 

According to Reuters, “Though [Venezuelan President] Rodriguez said 4,000 officials were deployed immediately, military personnel and police were scarcely visible during the first hours after the quake…civilians spearheaded much of the response, especially during the first two days.”

Desperate individuals stepped in to counter agonizing delays and confusion in coordination.  

One local group said, “Everyone look[ed] upward waiting for an order. They would rather do nothing than act and risk being reprimanded…The loss ​of those hours was enormously frustrating." In a country unfortunately known for rapid crackdowns of pro-democracy protests, rescue efforts appeared severely delayed and haphazard.  

Wider and more coordinated help was desperately needed. 

First On the Scene

Once authorization is granted^[1], Israel's search and rescue (S&R) teams can arrive on the scene within 24 hours. From offering sophisticated technology and drones to setting up fully equipped field hospitals, Israel sets the world standard in emergency relief.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) Home Front Command's Search and Rescue Unit has responded to both natural and human disasters such as the earthquakes in Mexico (1985), Turkey (1999), and India (2001), the typhoon in the Philippines (2013), and the terrorist bombing of the US embassy in Kenya (1998).

It self-describes as “a command rescue force intended for performance of distinct S&R missions in the country as well as abroad, in war and in emergency, anyplace and any time as needed.” Members include medical practitioners, engineers, rescue technicians and heavy equipment operators.

Since 1953, the IDF has engaged in twenty-seven humanitarian missions around the world, guided by the pillar to uphold "universal morals and values based on the value and dignity of human life.” In 2010, they set up a field hospital in Port-au-Prince following the earthquake in Haiti, treating 1,110 patients, performing 319 successful surgeries and delivering 16 babies. In reaction, several of the mothers even named their newborns ‘Israel’ in gratitude.

Setting New Standards in Emergency Response

In spite of the United Nations’ obsession with criticizing Israel, the UN’s World Health Organization admitted that their field hospital units were the world’s top emergency medical team; the first country to earn this ranking. 

As stated by team commander  Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Ofer Merin, these pop-up units are “not just some medics and doctors spread out in the field.” 

Rather, they are a “national treasure” with the capabilities of a permanent hospital set up in less than 12 hours. 

Pikuach Nefesh- Doing All to Save a Life

Israel’s emergency response teams developed their efficient prowess in unfortunate circumstances, following terror attacks and security threats. 

For instance, the ZAKA Search, Rescue and Recovery team was developed in 1989 following a hijacked bus attack in Israel. While ‘zaka’ means ‘pure’ in Hebrew, it is also an acronym for zihuy korbanot ason (זיהוי קרבנות אסון), which translates to “Disaster Victim Identification.”

With thousands of volunteers all around the world, the ZAKA team shared, “[we] rush to save when it is possible to save and honor when all that remains is to honor." Retrieving bodies is traumatizing for all, but a critical means for the families to gain closure.

Much of the Israeli Defense Forces counter-terrorism technology and R & D (research and development) has been adapted to natural disasters, often arriving first on the scene. 

Helping Everywhere…Even In Hostile Regions

In 2013, Syria experienced a devastating earthquake, leveling houses and streets. Even though there were border tensions and targeted airstrikes between the countries, Israel still set up a field hospital to assist the victims. 

Many of the Syrians were suspicious of Israel’s motives but then expressed immense gratitude for the extremely quick and efficient responses, saving immeasurable lives with their expertise. Many said they had always been taught to hate Israelis as a matter of course without ever meeting one, and this challenged their perspectives entirely. 

A similar situation occurred for Turkey in 1999. In spite of Israel not having any diplomatic relations with the country, a search and rescue unit came in following their earthquake and recovered 12 survivors and 140 bodies; more than Turkey would have ever been able to on its own.

It is hoped that gratitude for such quick responses and life-saving intervention will not be short-lived but will rather forge the way to improved diplomatic relations. 

The Jewish Value of “Repairing a Fragmented World” (Tikkun Olam)

Major Roni Kaplan, a member of Israel’s S&R team in Venezuela, reflected how “Israel has a long history of sending search, rescue and humanitarian aid teams to countries affected by disasters and emergencies, bringing expertise, technology and support to those in need, regardless of borders.” 

“For us, this is not a political quest, but a humanitarian quest,” he continued. “When people suffer, we want to be present to help, regardless of nationality, ideology, race or religion. Humanitarian responsibility must prevail over any type of political divergence.”

Surreal Innovations

The futuristic technology which Israel employs to locate survivors is nothing less than material from a sci-fi film. From heat sensors and other devices which can detect breathing and movement under rubble to the use of 3D imaging and drones, they can map out and plot areas to systematically search and cover the maximum acreage possible. 

In the tragic Surfside senior condo complex collapse in Florida in 2021 for instance, they had a remarkable success rate of almost 95% retrieving the bodies (there were no survivors due to the pancake nature of the disaster).

As part of their search and rescue efforts, the team interviewed the families to learn about their loved ones’ lifestyles and habits in order to hypothesize their possible last whereabouts and create a 3D map of the building as if it were still standing. Using technology and imaging to recreate the building from recognizable structural elements, they were able to demarcate floors and even apartments, helping to find and identify the residents.

Rebuilding After Disaster

Decades of anti-Israel sentiment in Venezuela under Chavez might have been one of the reasons Israel’s appeal for help was only authorized four days after the tragedy. Sixteen rescue personnel, specialists from Magen Disaster and Emergency Management Company, Israel’s Ready for Rescue non-profit, and SmartAID, arrived June 28. They quickly developed operational plans and coordinated efforts alongside local forces and Mexico's renowned Topos (‘mole’) emergency rescuers, providing emergency assistance and humanitarian aid.

In a historic gesture, the current Venezuelan president publicly thanked Israel for its rapid response team, even requesting they extend their stay to assist in post-crisis reconstruction and recovery. Using their expertise, the team was able to evaluate which buildings could be safely rebuilt, and which to take down. Together they have been able to get thousands of Venezuelans to return to damaged but safe homes.

The road to recovery will be a long one for Venezuelans, grieving for the loss of their loved ones, but also coming to terms with the unforgivable delays in official response. Whatever the crisis, be it human-made or natural, Israel’s emergency response team will be there.

^[1] Time is of the essence and delays in approval significantly reduce the chances of finding survivors. Politics or mismanagement can be at play and can result in the loss of precious opportunities. In the case of Venezuela, for instance Israel was only given authorization four days after the earthquakes had struck.