Wounded Syrians Receive Treatment in Israel

YERUSHALAYIM (AP) —

Israeli soldiers provided medical treatment to wounded Syrians who approached the countries’ border and then transported them to a hospital in Israel for further treatment, the IDF said, in the first instance of Syrians finding shelter in Israel from their country’s civil war.

A military spokeswoman says soldiers gave the wounded Syrians initial medical treatment near the security fence along the frontier in the Golan Heights and then evacuated them to an Israeli hospital. She would not elaborate further.

The seven wounded Syrians are receiving medical treatment at Ziv Hospital in Tzfas. A hospital spokeswoman said they sustained serious injuries to internal organs and limbs. She said one is in critical condition and the rest are in serious condition.

“It was on a humanitarian basis,” Israeli Vice Premier Moshe Yaalon told reporters. “Refugees approached the border, received medical treatment, and we decided to bring them in for treatment in our territory in light of their condition,” he said.

Yaalon stressed that there is no change in Israeli policy and that a large influx of Syrians will not be allowed.

It was unclear whether the Syrians are rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad, forces loyal to him, or civilians caught in the crossfire.

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