Magen David Adom, Israel’s medical emergency and blood bank service, has launched an urgent appeal after Hamas terrorists mounted an unprecedented attack, leaving at least 40 people dead and wounding hundreds of civilians, including children and the elderly.

The service issued the plea after thousands of Israelis turned out to give blood today resulting in what MDA described as a “tremendous overload”.

MDA is on red alert after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the country was in a state of war and this morning took what it acknowledged was an “unprecedented step” of contacting supporters on what is both Shabbat and Yom Tov Shemini Atzeret (the eighth day after the seven days of Succot), a major holiday when work is forbidden for practicing Jews, to appeal for help in rescuing and treating the injured.

“Since the early hours of the morning, Magen David Adom has been on its highest possible alert level, with the response to the attacks under Operation Swords of Iron underway. All vehicles – ambulances, mobile intensive care units, medicycles, mass-casualty vehicles, bullet-proof ambulances and other specialised vehicles – are manned with teams prepared to respond,” the emergency service said.

Addressing supporters in the UK, MDAUK said: “None of this would be possible without the support of our community here in the UK. Your donations have quite literally saved lives – and the need will continue to grow.”

MDA’s blood services are operating emergency blood drives to provide hospitals all over the country with supplies. It is the sole supplier of blood to the IDF and said it was responsible for more then 96 per cent of Israel’s blood supplies.

Supporters in the UK, and around the world, can donate directly to MDA online.

Addressing supporters in Israel, MDA said: “Due to a tremendous overload of people wanting to donate blood, we request [people] stop coming for now. We will notify you later when it will be possible to come and donate blood again."

Earlier in the day it said: “Magen David Adom urges the public to heed the guidelines of the Home Front Command. During alarms, it’s imperative to reach a safe zone carefully and promptly, then wait for 10 minutes as per the instructions of the Home Front Command. These directives are life-saving.

“Magen David Adom’s blood services have raised an alarm over the acute shortage of blood units, specifically emphasizing the urgent need for type O. To address this, from 10:30 onwards, blood donations are scheduled in Tel Aviv at the Ichilov Medical Center Hospital, at the MDA station in Jerusalem, and the MDA station in Haifa at 34 Yitzhak Sade St.”

Reiterating “the gravity of the situation”, it added: “Please come to the Magen David Adom collection points and donate blood. This act can potentially save the lives of the injured.”

For any medical requirements, people should dial 101 to reach MDA.

MDA Israel was admitted to the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2005. Founded in 1930, by a nurse, Dr Mushalam Levontin, as a volunteer organisation, providing medical care to all residents, whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian or Druze, it continues to treat everyone in need.

Part of its mission statement declares: “The organisation and its services are for anyone and delivered by everyone, regardless of religion, race, or gender – MDA does not discriminate.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to MDA can do so here