Rescue Efforts by IAF Helicopters and Tactical S&R Unit 669

“Evacuation helicopter entering, there are two injured coming from the right on stretchers, coming towards you."

After reports were received of casualties following the Hamas infiltration into Zikim, soldiers from the Israeli Air Force’s tactical rescue unit, Unit 669, were rushed to the scene. The soldiers operated to rescue the injured under fire and mortar shooting.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Unit 669 has evacuated approximately 200 injured persons in about 45 rescue operations.

A statement from a pilot in the IAF's 124th Squadron, Captain Y, who took part in the rescue:
"We received a report of terrorists infiltrating the Zikim area and that there are a number of casualties to our forces. We arrived as quickly as possible to the site, and reached our soldiers on the ground and the combat helicopter. We entered the site under fire and evacuated the injured to hospitals. We understood that our mission was to save the lives of the combat soldiers. That's what we did and that's what we will continue to do as needed."

Attached is a video of the radio discussions in the helicopter from the rescue: https://bit.ly/3Fjjmdq 

In addition, attached is a video of the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, with the Shaldag Unit and soldiers from Unit 669 in the area surrounding Gaza: https://bit.ly/3ZVzX0w