A complex overnight rescue operation in the Dead Sea region highlighted the increasing risks facing hikers in Israel's remote canyons, as emergency services mobilized air and ground teams to save two stranded adventurers.
The hikers found themselves trapped in the restricted Samar Canyon, where rappelling is prohibited.
The operation showcased Israel's emergency capabilities even as its military remains focused on operations in Gaza. Rescuers battled freezing temperatures to reach the hikers, setting up elaborate rope systems before calling in the elite Unit 669 for the final aerial extraction.
"The hikers' location posed a significant challenge and put our forces at risk," said Matan Murad, commander of the Megilot unit. The incident comes as Israel faces severe winter weather, prompting authorities to warn holiday travelers about flash flood dangers in the region's complex canyon system.
"This was a high-stakes operation," Murad explained at the rescue site, as dawn broke over the Dead Sea cliffs. "Every minute counted." His team had spent hours navigating treacherous terrain in freezing temperatures before the helicopter extraction succeeded.
With Hanukkah bringing thousands of holiday hikers to the desert canyons, and winter storms threatening flash floods, rescue teams must stay vigilant even as the nation's security forces remain focused on multiple fronts. "We're here for civilians who need us," Murad said, "but we need them to help by following safety guidelines."
Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.
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