The Rescue and Salvage Unit of the Civil Defence Command of the Israeli Defence Forces reported that its operations in Cali, called "Touch of Friends", have recovered 25 of the 27 bodies trapped under the rubble at three sites designated for its work. According to Roni Kaplan, commander of the delegation, at the Vanessa building they have extracted three of the fourteen bodies that were under the rubble.
The delegation of 82 people, mostly Israeli reservists who volunteered, has also been assigned to classify damaged structures. The teams have assisted in the assessment of 220 educational facilities, primarily schools, 45 health centres, mostly hospitals and clinics, three municipal structures, two residential buildings and one commercial structure. Kaplan noted that five teams continue working to help Cali's authorities in classifying hundreds of damaged buildings to allow reconstruction to begin.
The mission arrived in Colombia six days ago after being requested with only an hour and a half's notice. The delegation was transported from Venezuela in an Israeli Air Force plane, landing at Cali international airport at 7:45 in the morning, after which it went directly to coordinate with Cali Fire Department. Kaplan indicated that coordination has been at a "very high level" with both the National Risk Management System and Cali Fire Department and Cali's City Hall.
Regarding the duration of the mission, Kaplan stated that there is no exact departure date, although he estimates that the delegation will remain approximately one more week. He noted that Israel will remain at the disposal of Colombian authorities and that the Israeli Air Force plane that will collect the team is planned to bring tonnes of medical aid. The presence of the delegation has generated controversy on social media, including a critical statement from president Gustavo Petro, although Kaplan noted that such criticism has not been expressed on the ground and that the local community has given a "very warm" reception.
