The IDF is opening the largest field hospital of its kind in Israeli history in Nepal today, The Times of Israel reported:

After a series of delays, the Israel Defense Forces field hospital in Kathmandu will start treating thousands of those injured in the weekend’s devastating earthquake Wednesday morning, kicking off Israel’s largest ever effort of its kind.

The hospital’s opening will come a day after Israeli teams began search and rescue operations, though they did not find any survivors.

An IDF spokesperson said the hospital, located next to the Nepali military hospital, will be operational by 8:30 a.m. local time and treat some of the thousands of injured Nepalis hurt in the 7.8 magnitude quake, which claimed the lives of over 5,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

According the Times, Nepalese officials expect the death toll to reach 10,000. Of the 230 members of the IDF delegation, 130 are medical personnel who will operate the field hospitals. The others will be involved in the search and rescue operations.

In addition to the IDF, other Israeli organizations assisting in the rescue efforts in Nepal inlcude IsraAid, Tevel B’Tzedek and Magen David Adom, Israel’s chapter of the Red Cross.

[Photo: Israel Defense Forces / Flickr ]