Inside Israel’s Fastest Life-Saving Network—And the Man Behind It

As Israel continues to face daily missile fire amid the ongoing war with Iran, emergency responders are racing against time to save lives. In Episode 834 of the Israel Daily News Podcast, host Shanna Fuld sits down with Eli Beer, the founder and president of United Hatzalah—one of the fastest emergency response networks in the world.

Beer’s organization operates with more than 8,100 volunteers across Israel, many of whom arrive at emergency scenes within minutes using specialized ambucycles. But in wartime, speed alone isn’t enough. In this interview, Beer explains how new technologies—especially drones—are helping locate and rescue victims trapped under rubble following missile strikes, offering a critical edge when every second counts.

The conversation goes beyond logistics. Beer shares how his mission began at just six years old after witnessing a preventable tragedy—and how that moment shaped a lifetime dedicated to saving others. His story builds into one of the most emotional parts of the episode: his own near-death experience after spending a month in a COVID-induced coma. It’s a moment that reframes everything—from how he treats patients to how he leads under pressure.

And this isn’t a studio interview removed from reality. As the episode was being recorded, sirens sounded, forcing Fuld to pause and run to shelter—just one example of the conditions journalists and responders alike are working under right now.

To hear the full interview—and the moment that nearly brought the host to tears—listen to Episode 834 of the Israel Daily News Podcast.

Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zs68dZ046xNaydxCnQXLe?si=YOx0tjdSSMuHX5M6MUaHbw