On November 11, 2025, a prestigious education and professional development event took place at the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine (NATO MILMED COE) in Budapest. Dr. Khaled Atalla, Director of the Emergency Department at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, gave a comprehensive presentation on the practical realities of emergency medical care in conflict zones. His personal visit to Hungary marked a milestone in the long-standing partnership between the Israeli and NATO medical communities.

The two-hour long event was facilitated by Dr. Assaf Shemesh, Deputy Head of the Emergency Department at the North Pest Central Hospital/Military Hospital, and the Director of the MAZSIHISZ Charity Hospital. This collaboration is built on years of professional trust and mutual respect, reflecting a shared commitment to knowledge exchange. The Galilee Medical Center has consistently supported NATO MILMED COE training initiatives, particularly through the contribution of experts related to educational programs and through invitations to conferences and study tours in Israel. The participation of Aya Kagade, Director of International Relations at the Galilee Medical Center, was key to the success of the event. Her continued commitment to promoting cooperation between the Israeli healthcare sector and NATO MILMED COE ensured the success of the meeting, strengthening the already strong professional relationship.

Upon arrival, the Israeli delegation was welcomed by Brigadier General Dr. Jens Diehm, Director of NATO MILMED COE, and Dr. Zoltán Vekerdi PhD, the Deputy Director, who served as hosts.

The Hungarian Defence Forces were represented by Dr. Levente Várhelyi PhD – Chief Surgeon of the Hungarian Defence Forces and Head of the Traumatology Department of the North Pest Central Hospital/Military Hospital. The heads of each branch of the NATO MILMED COE were present in person, while other members joined the event via videoconference, ensuring full participation of the staff. Brigadier General Dr. Diehm opened the session with an overview of the mission, strategic objectives, structure and main achievements of the centre. This contextual introduction framed the discussion that followed.

Dr. Atalla’s presentation focused on the structure, operating principles and specific contributions of the Galilei Medical Centre to regional emergency care. He placed particular emphasis on how the Emergency Department is organised to maintain preparedness in high-risk environments. He highlighted the rigorous and ongoing training of staff and provided detailed insight into the procedures used during mass casualty incidents (MASCAL).

One of the critical issues he raised was the availability and logistics of blood and blood products in wartime – a topic that has become increasingly relevant in light of recent conflicts. Through specific case studies, Dr. Atalla shared his first-hand experience of the Israel-Lebanon border crisis and the Gaza conflict that began on 7 October 2023. The insights, lessons learned, procedural outcomes and success stories presented will significantly enrich the knowledge base of the NATO medical community.

The second half of the event was dedicated to dialogue. The open forum allowed participants to ask questions and engage in substantive professional discussions. Topics ranged from civil-military cooperation and hospital triage protocols to supply chain challenges, patient flow coordination and leadership in mass casualty situations. This dynamic exchange of ideas reinforced the mutual benefits of collaborative analysis and peer learning.

The event concluded with a strong collective commitment to further collaboration. Beyond its academic and practical benefits, the gathering deepened trust and partnership between NATO MILMED COE and the Israeli healthcare system. The arc of this relationship points towards a sustainable and effective cooperation – playing a key role in enhancing international preparedness and medical resilience in crisis situations.

On behalf of the NATO MILMED COE, we express our sincere gratitude to all contributors, organizers and participants. We would like to extend our special thanks to Dr. Atalla and Aya Kagade for their invaluable professional contribution and unwavering commitment to our common progress.