JERUSALEM, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel said Sunday it has helped evacuate hundreds of Syrians White Helmets rescuers and their families to neighboring Jordan in an international operation.
The operation was coordinated by the United Nations.
Western countries have become worried over the past weeks that the lives of the Syrian Civil Defense, or White Helmets, were at risk due to the increased bombardments of Bashar Assad's forces in southern Syria.
The White Helmets is a network of volunteers established in 2013 allegedly to rescue the injured after airstrikes, shelling or explosions in rebel-held territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel allowed them to pass through its territory following requests by the U.S. and Canada.
"Several days ago, U.S. President Trump contacted me, as did Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and others, requesting that we assist in evacuating hundreds of White Helmets from Syria," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting.
Local media reported that some 800 civilians were evacuated to Jordan, from which they are planned to continue for resettlement in Britain, Canada and Germany.
A spokesperson for the military, which carried out the operation, said the civilians were "evacuated from the war zone in southern Syria due to an immediate threat to their lives."
Israel and Syria are rivals. Israel maintains that it is not involved in the war in Syria but has carried out airstrikes against Syrian and Iranian targets in the war-torn country.
The military said that Israel will continue its "non-intervention policy" in Syria and "continues to hold the Syrian regime accountable for all activities in Syrian territory."
