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From October 7, responders to frontline paramedics under fire, mothers across Magen David Adom reflect a key element of Israel’s wartime emergency response

April 30, 2026, Tel Aviv –  As Mother’s Day approaches, Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service, is recognizing the extraordinary mothers within its ranks, women who dedicate themselves not only to their families, but also to saving lives of strangers on the frontlines of an ongoing war. From paramedics who treated victims on October 7 to young mothers saving lives on ambulance shifts while their husbands serve in reserve duty, these women epitomize deep commitment to serving their communities.  

Across Israel, thousands of MDA volunteers and staff members respond to emergencies at all hours of the day and night, often under the threat of rocket fire, mass casualty incidents, and national crisis. Among them are mothers who balance the responsibility of providing critical, often lifesaving, care under challenging and high-pressure conditions with the demands of raising children and caring for their families.

For many, this commitment has taken on even greater meaning in recent months, as MDA teams have continued operating under the pressures of war and ongoing security threats.

Orit Ohana, an MDA ambulance driver and paramedic from the Jordan Valley, serves as a reservist both for the Home Front Command and in MDA’s reinforcement unit as a paramedic. She is also a biology teacher, mother of seven, and grandmother of five, balancing family life with frontline service. On October 7, she drove south to treat injured victims of the massacre and immediately went on to serve as a medic on the northern border for three months.

“When I started volunteering at MDA, I was already a mother, and I’ve always seen myself as a mother first. I carry that with me into my work, the way I treat people, the way I see them. Balancing being a mother and a medic hasn’t always been easy, especially when my children were younger or during the war, and at first they didn’t always understand the meaning behind it, but as they’ve grown, they’ve come to appreciate it more. For me, it was important to show my family that we are part of something bigger, that we have a responsibility to give to others, especially here in Israel, and over time I’ve seen how proud they’ve become, and how that sense of purpose shaped them, with three of my children going on to volunteer with MDA themselves.”

Avigail Danino, a paramedic and young mother from Beit Shemesh, was among the first on the scene of a deadly attack in her community. As an Anglo-Israeli raising a family while serving on the frontlines of emergency response, Avigail represents a growing group of young parents stepping forward to serve.

“Being both a paramedic and a mother is a constant balancing act. For the past few years, my husband has been on reserve duty on and off, so when I am on shift or on call, I am grateful to be able to leave my son with my parents. It’s very hard as there are times when I leave before he wakes up or before he goes to bed, but I remind myself that I’m out there saving lives. When I’m home, I make sure he feels all my love and knows he is my top priority.”

Orianne Lucatz, 42, from Kfar Netter, has been part of Magen David Adom for 23 years and today serves as a manager within the Sharon Region. A single mother of two daughters, Noam (15) and Gil (12), she has spent her career on the frontlines, including working as a paramedic while pregnant and leading teams through periods of war, while raising her family alongside it.

“My work at MDA is my spine. My daughters didn’t just grow up next to this world; they grew up inside it. They speak the language; they understand the responsibility, and they’re proud of it. Seeing their mother lead in a high-intensity, traditionally male-dominated environment, while raising them on her own, gives them the confidence to believe they can do anything.”

With more than 39,000 staff and volunteers nationwide, MDA continues to rely on individuals from all walks of life. On Mother’s Day, the organization takes a moment to recognize the unique strength and dedication of the mothers who serve, quietly balancing two of the most demanding and meaningful roles there are.

“The mothers of MDA represent an extraordinary combination of professionalism, dedication, resilience, and compassion,” said Shafir Botner, Magen David Adom’s chief paramedic. “Every day, they make the decision to step forward and serve, often under intense pressure, while continuing to care for their families at home. MDA is committed to supporting them through flexible working models and a strong organizational framework, but it is their sense of responsibility and purpose that truly stands out. Their contribution, especially in times of war, is nothing short of remarkable.”

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About Magen David Adom
MDA is Israel’s emergency services system. A leader in mass-casualty response and in EMS technology, Magen David Adom treats and transports more than 1 million people to hospitals every year; collects, safety tests, and distributes nearly all the blood to Israel’s hospitals; and, through its affiliation with the Red Cross movement, responds to disasters around the world. For more information, visit afmda.org