On Monday, a devastating earthquake shook the town of Darkush in Syria's Idlib province. The al-Rahma hospital there braced for the influx of victims in need of urgent medical aid. Now, in a turn of events, a request for help from Israel has been brought to the table.

Russia, with a large military presence in the country, has asked Israel to provide aid to the earthquake victims. No further details were given in the unsourced report, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the telephonic request, stating that Israel would provide assistance despite the fact that Syria is considered a hostile state and the two countries do not have diplomatic ties.

Israel has successfully gone beyond the ingrained political divide during Syria’s civil war. In the past, Israel has set up mechanisms to provide medical treatment to Syrian civilians on the border.

The aid rendered by Israel will come with no strings attached and truly