‘Like waking in a war zone’: witnesses of the Hatzola ambulance attack describe their horror

“It was terrifying because we didn't know what it was. We're pensioners, we're in our 70s. You feel very vulnerable.

“When I found out it was Hatzola ambulances, I then thought of the synagogue and all those flats. Their windows were shattered and there could have been children sleeping behind that glass.

“Those explosions were massive. This wasn't just a fire in Golders Green and should not be reported as such. These were four explosions, and each one got bigger than the last. I felt the reverberation of the explosions.”

She says this attack was “on our doorstep”.

“My children grew up around here, my grandchildren come to my house,” she continued. “This is a suburban neighbourhood filled with families from all backgrounds. It is a large Jewish community in my street, but not all. And there're hundreds of people living in the flats next to where those [explosions happened], with families and old-age pensioners. If people think this is just targeting Jews and there's any justification, they're mad.

“It's British people being targeted by terrorists, but they call it an ‘antisemitic incident’. If you cause an explosion in a suburban area, you can kill anybody. We do have to highlight the Jewish community, but I think British people have to start taking some responsibility for this.”

Another eyewitness who lives on the street where the attack took place said hearing the explosions and seeing the fire was like “waking up in a war zone”.

Aerial view after four Hatzola ambulances were set on fire overnight next to Machzike Hadath Synagogue in Golders Green, March 23, 2026 (Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images)Getty Images

Speaking to the JC, he said: “I woke up suddenly I think to the second explosion and my dog was barking and running around my bedroom, terrified. My first reaction was to try and calm her, which I began to, when another explosion went off.

“My instinct was to go towards the window to see what was happening, but the explosions were so loud that I was worried they might shatter if another went off. I couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night.”

Yakov and Michaeli live a seven-minute walk from the site of the attack. Michaeli is nine months pregnant with the couple’s first baby and is concerned that should she need an ambulance, now that some of the local fleet has been taken out, one will not be available.

“I got told to be careful today,” she told the JC.

Yakov said Hatzola are “amazing” and the couple have used the ambulances in the past.

“Never mind antisemitism or Judaism, the basic moral indecency of burning something used for healthcare. This is direct attack on healthcare. Something which people have used for life is used against humanity,” Yakov said.

Michaeli added, “It’s like going to the hospital and burning it down.”

One man whose daughter lives in the flats next door, Yehoshua Posen, told the BBC she saw people set fire to the ambulances before fleeing the scene.

“She was terrified,” he said. “For this to happen on something which is there just to save lives is quite telling and shocking. It’s time that people wake up and realise that you can allow hatred only so long, but eventually it catches up.”

Yitz lives a short walk from the site and heard about the incident on WhatsApp when he woke at 3.30am. CCTV footage from the shul - where his daughter is a member - was circulating in a community WhatsApp group from 2.30am.

The first message about the attack was sent at 2.26am and stated: “Any idea what these massive loud booms / explosion type noises every few minutes are in GG area?”

At 2.28am, another message described hearing “a few booms” while another local said they had heard the noise “four times”.

A message saying “confirmed arson” appeared in the chat at 2.30am.

Yitz, 82, has lived in the area for 42 years. He told the JC his immediate thought was: “Oh no they’ve started in London too… Of all the things to tackle, why pick on something like this which services non-Jews as well?”

He added, “In previous times, the attacks have been some way away from me. This time I thought it’s getting too close to comfort.”

He continued, “[I’m] really sad that they’ve chosen Hatzola, such a good bunch of people. I’ve used them many times. You can be sure if you phone Hatzola the phone will be answered in three rings and they will be there in three minutes, and you know you’re talking to guys who understand your language. They are very knowledgeable.

“Once, I had a bike accident outside Golders Green and I called Hatzola, they came and they not only took me to hospital they took my bike as well.”

David Berman, a local community activist, told the JC he is “just as concerned about attacks on Jewish places as I was yesterday”.

“The community do not need to worry, we have amazing volunteers at Hatzola and the government has provided a fleet that will be up and running by tomorrow morning,” he said.

But he added that he too understood Hatzola would struggle to arrive at an emergency with an ambulance until then.

“They will get medics there but might not be in an ambulance.”

Another witness, Mark Reisner, told Sky News he arrived at the scene “just as the third ambulance was blowing up”.

“A very loud explosion, you sort of felt it go through your guts,” he said. “It’s just left us all reeling with confusion and shock.”

CCTV footage shows three hooded men dressed in black with what appeared to be ski masks flee the scene. Treating the incident as a hate crime, the Metropolitan Police have launched a manhunt and investigation.

Fire services monitor the scene after four Hatzola ambulances were set on fire overnight next to Machzike Hadath Synagogue, on March 23, 2026, in Golders Green (Getty Images)Getty Images

Shomrim, a Golders Green-based community safety organisation, asked members of the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work and police to carry out their investigation.

“We strongly condemn the deliberate antisemitic attack on Hatzola ambulances in NW London,” Shomrim said. “This was not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the Jewish community.

“Hatzola provides life-saving medical care to all who need it. An attack on these ambulances is an attack on the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of our community.

“We are working closely with the police and all relevant authorities and assisting with the ongoing investigation.

“There is no place for antisemitism or hate in our society. We stand united and will continue to support and protect our community.”