TEL AVIV, Israel (WSVN) – A South Florida doctor is answering the call for help after his vacation in Israel took a turn for the worse.
As the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, Dr. Daniel Aghion decided to risk his own life and stay in Israel. The 42-year-old is now helping those in need.
“Well, I was here on vacation with my family during the Sukkot holiday, and unfortunately, when this brutal war was declared upon us on Saturday, I was here with my family, and I just couldn’t get back home,” he said.
Originally on vacation with his family, Agihon decided to stay behind and volunteer.
As the Hamas group attacks areas near the Gaza border, Aghion said he couldn’t see himself getting back on a plane.
“I’ve been working with the United Hatzalah Organization to help on the areas around the Gaza community, to help treat medically necessary, you know, situations, evacuate injured soldiers, police officers and regular medical calls as they come in to help alleviate some of the stress down here in the south,” he said.
Aghion studied at the Tel Aviv University before becoming a neurosurgeon at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines. There, he normally treats people with spine disorders.
He said he felt the need to put his services to work for a nation in dire need, specifically at a remote mobile center near the Gaza Strip, ground zero in the terror attacks.
“I think that in the first day and two, there was a lot more confusion and chaos,” he said. “This was pure terrorism, and terrorism serves to cause confusion, and there were hundreds and thousands of bodies that were found, some in conditions that are just unspeakable, and so, I think over the past several days there have been a tremendous number of organizations that have been volunteering.”
Aghion said about 4,000 American physicians have applied for expedited licensing so they, too, can support others in need.
He also said that his parents, who were born and raised in Egypt, have also witnessed acts of terrorism. Aghion praised the support Israel has received and said that needs to be continued.
“And so, to see just a common link of action, a call to action, there’s tremendous support, I think, internationally, and I think we just need to provide this incredible message to the rest of the world, to the people and to the country of Israel, that we fully, fully support what needs to be done here,” he said.
Aghion is adamant that he’ll stay as long as he is needed. He said his wife and four children were supportive of his mission, but it’s unclear if they’ve returned home.
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