Israel evacuated hundreds of White Helmets and their family members from Syria to neighboring Jordan on Sunday so they can be later resettled in several Western countries.

The operation was coordinated by the United Nations (UN) because Western countries are becoming worried that the White Helmets were at risk due to the increased offensives launched by government forces in southern Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel allowed them to pass through its territory following requests by the US and Canada.

"Several days ago, US President Trump contacted me, as did Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and others, requesting that we assist in evacuating hundreds of White Helmets from Syria," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting. 

Jordan's foreign ministry said the kingdom has received 422 Syrian citizens, after earlier saying it had given permission for 800 to arrive. Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Kayed said Britain, Germany and Canada had initially agreed to accept around 827 rescuers and their relatives, but eventually settled on a figure of 422.

According to the minister, the White Helmets are allowed to stay in Jordan for up to three months.

The head of the White Helmets, Raed Saleh, told the media that the evacuees had arrived in Jordan after they had been encircled in the Syrian provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, which respectively border Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 

Founded in 2013, the Syria Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, is allegedly a network of volunteers to rescue civilians injured in airstrikes, shelling or explosions in Syrian rebel-held territory. However, the Syrian government has accused the White Helmets of being part of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, and said it provides false information and put acts as a humanitarian force while actually supporting ultra-radical rebel groups in the country.