February 17, 2013, Updated June 26, 2013

For the first time since fighting broke out in neighboring Syria, seven Syrian residents were brought into Israel for medical treatment. Officials at Ziv Medical Center in Safed said today that the seven were in stable condition.

IDF soldiers serving along the Israel-Syrian border first noticed the victims early yesterday afternoon. The Israeli soldiers carried them across the border into Israel to treat them in First Aid.

“An IDF force administered medical care to the wounded men near the border fence and they were taken for further treatment,” read an IDF Spokesperson’s statement.

Ziv Medical Center director Dr. Oscar Embon said the Syrians suffered wounds to their limbs, stomach and internal injuries. Embon said one of the wounded is still in critical condition and must undergo a second surgery. He said the other six are in moderate but stable condition – and some of them may require additional operations.

The IDF said its policy does not allow any breach of the border fence, “with the exception of special humanitarian cases.”

Reports today said it remained unclear whether the seven were rebels who took part in the battles or innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

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