The 12 days of fighting with Iran were brutal. Some 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones were launched at Israel, causing devastation the likes of which has not been seen in recent history.

Reports continue to come in, but we know that 28 Israelis were killed in the attacks — all but one of them civilians — and over 3,000 were wounded.

Homes were obliterated, displacing more than 9,000 people. Missiles damaged a power plant, oil refinery, university, hospital, and many other buildings as well as vehicles.

But every time there was an explosion, the paramedics, EMTs, and first responders of MAGEN DAVID ADOM were there. Swarms of ambulances arrived at scene after scene. When the roads were too badly damaged for ambulances, all-terrain rescue vehicles were deployed. When even more help was needed, Medevac helicopters rescued people by air.

Every call for help was answered. Every attempt to kill was met with hands rushing in to save.

But the cost of this work to MAGEN DAVID ADOM was high. Blood units, fuel, food, supplies, equipment, vehicles, sleepless nights, fear, and tremendous pressure.

When we refer to the men and women of MAGEN DAVID ADOM as heroes, it’s not just because of their compassion and goodwill. It’s because they brave the worst situations humanity can create, risking their own lives to save others. And for 12 days and nights, they did just that.