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Israel sees spike in blood donations following Hamas assault

Overwhelmed by the public response to calls for donations, the Magen David Adom blood center at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center suspended operations.

Israelis donate blood in Tel Aviv following a multi-pronged Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Photo by Gideon Markovich/TPS.
Israelis donate blood in Tel Aviv following a multi-pronged Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Photo by Gideon Markovich/TPS.

Throughout Israel citizens are being asked to donate blood, as over 100 people have been killed and 1,000 injured in a Hamas terror assault that began on Saturday morning.

At Sheba Medical Center outside Tel Aviv, hospital officials set up temporary blood banks and appealed for donors to come forward.

“Two fundraising sites were opened. ... The center appeals to visitors who are currently in the hospital and residents from the area who can arrive while adhering to the protection guidelines,” said Sheba.

At Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center, it was announced that a Magen David Adom donation station had been set up inside the center.
However, after being overwhelmed by the public response, the center has suspended operations and is asking only for donors with type O blood.

In an announcement from Magen David Adom, officials said that blood donor sites have also been opened in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Tiberias and Kiryat Motzkin.

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