Sgt. Nesher practices CPR. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office

Early this morning, IDF soldiers saved the life of a newborn child, as they helped a Palestinian Arab woman give birth inside a military ambulance.

The woman, who lives in the Jordan Valley, called for medical assistance at around 2 this morning. An IDF medical crew, consisting of a paramedic, three medics, and the Deputy Commander of the Valley Brigade, Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner were in proximity and responded immediately. Since the precise area was unreachable by ambulance the woman was carried to the vehicle on a stretcher, and during the drive to the hospital on Route 90 prematurely began to give birth.

The paramedic, Sgt. Gilad Nesher, started delivering the baby; a difficult procedure considering that there was no birthing equipment in the ambulance. The situation was further complicated as the baby initially wasn’t breathing. However, after an hour of intensive CPR the baby began to breathe independently.

The mother and child were taken in an IDF helicopter from the 669 Search and Rescue Unit to the Hadassa Ein-Kerem Hospital and are currently resting there.