READ: Gulf Coast P2G steering committee member, Janet Hammer, represented Florida’s Gulf Coast on a solidarity mission with the Jewish Agency for Israel/Jewish Federations of North America, and Partnership2Gether (P2G). 
The below entries detail her experiences while traveling. Click here to read more.

  • Free our girls.  Free our women. Free our boys. Free our men. Free our babies! Free them from the filthy bonds that tie them in the darkest tunnels of Gaza. 

     
     
    Free us and the rest of th...
  • The children are tired
     
    The parents are tired
     
    Is everyone tired?
     
    Sam’s weekly zoom meetings teaching English to young teens in our sister region of Israel (Hadera-eiron) is a lot of...

Update: March 14, 2024

  • On Wednesday, March 13th, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, 352 to 65. The Jewish Federations of North America strongly support the complete passage of this legislation to stop the spread of overtly antisemitic content on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
  • Join the Jewish Agency for Israel for a webinar: Israel and the War in International Media, which will take place March 21, 2024 at 11am ET, featuring recently retired IDF Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and owner of Conricus Communications, and Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, The Jewish Agency’s Senior Emissary to Washington DC and the first Druze woman elected to Israel’s Knesset. Jonathan represented the IDF in hundreds of interviews during the first three months of the war and will speak about his experiences as well as the ongoing complexities of the conflict and Gadeer will talk about her work since October 7. Register here.

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

 

  • Israel says that it is now planning to “flood Gaza with humanitarian supplies.” Among the methods being planned is the floating pier off Gaza's coast that U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday in his State of the Union address. A team of experts from the U.S. Central Command is scheduled to arrive in Israel over the next few days to discuss how to carry out this project with the IDF.
  • For the first time, the IDF prepared for the arrival this week of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea. A ship carrying humanitarian aid from the WCK (World Central Kitchen) organization and funded by the United Arab Emirates set sail on Tuesday from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus toward Gaza. This was carried out in coordination with Israeli security and civilian authorities, and was facilitated after all the equipment on the ship underwent comprehensive security checks.
  • In addition, six humanitarian aid trucks containing aid from the World Food Organization entered the northern Gaza Strip via the 96th Gate along the security fence on Tuesday. This operation was also carried out in cooperation with the Israeli government and the IDF.
  • Also, over 1,000 aid packages have been airdropped into the Gaza Strip in over 12 missions by foreign countries during the last week, all in coordination with Israel.
  • Earlier this week, Israel opened up a third humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza on a new road that was especially paved into the northern zone of the Strip. The road was used by humanitarian aid trucks for the first time on Tuesday, despite complaints from members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition that the government and the IDF were indirectly helping Hamas. Food for 25,000 Gazans was transferred by the UN on the new road. 
  • Meanwhile, Hamas has killed the leader of the powerful Doghmush clan in Gaza City, for “stealing humanitarian aid” and being in contact with Israel, according to unconfirmed Arab media reports. The reports said that the clan leader, who was not named, was “executed” in the family compound along with two others. Earlier this week, a Hamas-linked website warned Palestinian individuals or groups against cooperating with Israel to provide security for aid convoys amid the spiraling humanitarian crisis as war rages in Gaza.
  • As ceasefire talks appear to still be stuck, focus remains on a possible IDF incursion into Rafah, the last area of Gaza containing significant Hamas forces. Some media are citing US Administration sources as saying that the US Government has quietly informed Israel that the US might support a limited military operation in Rafah that would include pinpoint anti-terror operations in the city, without a large incursion. According to Israeli sources, the IDF is working on a plan to ensure the safety of the 1.3 million displaced Gazans in the city. Read this opinion piece: “Israel must go ahead with an operation in Rafah.” The IDF also said that it plans to direct a significant portion of the 1.4 million displaced Gazans in Rafah toward “humanitarian islands” in the center of the territory, ahead of any ground operation in the city.

 

ROCKETS

 

  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. Yesterday, the IDF eliminated a high-ranking Hamas (Lebanese branch) terrorist. The operative, who had planned and coordinated attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, was killed in the Lebanese city of Tyre, on the Mediterranean coast south of Beirut. 
  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low (less than one per day on average), due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. Read this article, “Missiles and UAVs in the Battle for Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea.”

 

HOSTAGES

 

  • There is mounting pressure on Hamas to present a counter-proposal to a hostage deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar that has been accepted by Israel. Pressure is being put on the organization by the mediators, with reports suggesting that Qatar has even threatened to expel Hamas’s political leadership and withhold funding from the organization.
  • Released American hostage Judith Raanan, who was taken together with her teenaged Natalie Raanan by Hamas on October 7, says nurses at a hospital where they were brought after being abducted cheered at the sight of the Israeli “prey.” Watch her US television interview here.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

  • South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has vowed that citizens who fight in the IDF will be arrested upon returning to the country. “I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and who are fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defense Forces. We are ready. When you come home, we’re going to arrest you,” Pandor said on Sunday, at a conference on solidarity with Palestinians in Pretoria. Some 25,000 South African Jews live in Israel.
  • Delta Air Lines says it will resume flights to Israel starting June 7, becoming the second major US carrier to do so since October 7. Delta says it will begin daily flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv following “an extensive security risk assessment by the airline.” United Airlines resumed flights to Israel earlier this month from Newark but does not plan to restart flights from other US cities until at least this fall. El Al has continued to fly to and from Israel throughout the war.
  • Member of Knesset Gidon Sa’ar, a former Likud minister, has pulled his New Hope faction out of War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party. The two factions united prior to the last elections but said they will go their own way in any upcoming national vote. Sa’ar sees hope for the future of a hawkish, but liberal, center-right party, that could eventually merge with a new political block that could include former prime minister Naftali Bennett and others. See more here.

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

  • Read the story of 19-year-old American-Israel Itay Chen, described as “a beloved individual" whose warmth drew people close to him. He loved Israel and enjoyed hiking and guiding youth on trips. On October 7 Itay was taken captive by Hamas terrorists when they infiltrated his army base. His parents Ruby and Hagit spent the past five months traveling the world urging leaders to do everything in their power to bring back the hostages. On Tuesday, the IDF confirmed that Itay was killed on October 7, and that his body is still being held in Gaza. 
  • Amira Aharonoviz (Jewish Agency CEO), The women who give us hope.”
  • Taking into account the number of victims per capita, the October 7 terrorist attack ranks as the deadliest worldwide in recent decades. The massacres and ensuing violence caused tremendous upheaval within Israeli society, leaving hundreds of thousands of citizens displaced from their homes in both southern and northern Israel and resulting in widespread trauma experienced by children and adults all around the country:
  • According to the Israeli National Council for the Child, Israel has recognized 19,407 children as victims of terrorism since October 7, including 7,252 children aged five years and younger. Hamas terrorists murdered 38 children and left 20 children orphaned, and another 96 children with only one parent. 
  • Terrorists abducted 240 people, including 42 children. Two children, four-year-old Ariel and one-year-old Kfir Bibas, remain in captivity. 
  • Psychology experts estimate that there may be up to 600,000 new cases of PTSD among Israelis resulting from the war. This situation could be significantly worse if war breaks out in the north. 
  • The psychological impact of the attacks in Israel reverberates deeply throughout the country, affecting the direct victims, as well as their first and second-degree family members and friends. This trauma further extends its reach to encompass over 300,000 individuals serving in reserves and the regular army, along with their families. The repercussions of the attacks ripple through various circles, affecting released hostages, families of those still held captive, loved ones of the deceased and injured, as well as professionals such as first responders and cyber experts exposed to graphic footage. Even those not directly impacted in southern and northern Israel find themselves psychologically affected, including relatives and friends of those directly involved, and trauma survivors who undergo re-traumatization. 
  • Israeli researcher of trauma Danny Horesh explained that what is happening in Israel is called “compounded trauma,” whereby trauma comes from multiple sources and carriers. “We are a small, densely populated country, so almost everyone knows at least one person who has been harmed by the war in some way. That combination makes it very difficult to cope with reality. There has been nothing like it in the world, not even in our history as a country with such population density.” 
  • As of today, 126,000 Israelis remain displaced from their homes along the southern and northern borders due to danger of incoming rocket fire from Hamas and Hezbollah. This includes around 48,000 school-aged children who must deal with the uncertainty and fear of being removed from their homes and schools. The psychological damage on evacuees from the south is compounded by their incredible loss - loved ones, their homes, their jobs, their possessions, their sense of security and in many cases, hope. 
  • Dr. Stav Shapira of Ben-Gurion University's School of Public Health explained the added strains of displacement. "If the house is standing, that provides some foundation, a sense of stability and the knowledge that in future there's a place to return to. But for someone who has lost his home and possessions, the danger of psychological damage is far greater. They're totally uprooted." 
  • In addition to homelessness, survivor’s guilt among members of the southern kibbutzim is widespread. In some cases, entire families were slain except for one lone survivor. Many still face anxiety and feelings of helplessness.   
  • The prevalent psychological trauma in response to the October 7 massacres and the ensuing war underscores the need for rapid and broad mental health treatments and interventions to heal the country’s wounds. Compounding the needs is the fact that the Israeli mental health system was understaffed and underfunded before this crisis.

 

FURTHER READING

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS RESOURCES

For latest details on Israel Emergency Campaign Allocations, click here.

 

Jewish Federations' Backgrounders:

At-Risk Youth  

LGBQT Community

Young Children

Volunteers

Women

Pastoral Guidance

Bedouin Communities

Food Security

People with Disabilities

 

Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQ’s to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 

As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.

 

Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.

Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.

 

Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

 

Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

A catalog of previously released updates can be found below.


 

 

World News

 

ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS

 

The JFNA Israel office in Jerusalem represents the Federation movement in Israel, serves as the main Federation connection to the Israeli government and liaises with Federation-funded partner agencies working in Israel and around the world. The office provides Federations with the latest information and policy analysis of relevant issues and critical information that guides our overseas work and investments. It also supports missions that help inspire and inform Federation leaders about the movement’s work abroad. The offices also connects Israeli leaders and government officials with the North American community, deepening their awareness and knowledge of its breadth and depth. View Hebrew directory of North American Jewish organizations.

 

 

IN ISRAEL

 

The Federation portfolio in Israel is widespread and diverse. It includes working with our partners to ensure that every Jew who wants to live in Israel can, funding programs that help provide equal access to economic and educational opportunities, and supporting initiatives that encourage religious diversity and social equality.

 

 

GLOBAL JEWRY

 

JFNA’s Jerusalem office is also Federations’ hub for supporting Jews around the world. Our network provides critical humanitarian and economic assistance in times of crisis, from the 2014 conflict with Gaza that threatened millions of Israelis to the ongoing strife in Ukraine that’s affected tens of thousands of Jews. Federation also plays an important ongoing role in providing an array of life-sustaining services to needy elderly and vulnerable jews while supporting the revitalization of Jewish life, especially in communities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that were decimated by the Holocaust and driven underground by Communism. Our partners fund camps, community centers and educational and leadership development programs that support a renaissance of global Jewish life.

 

 

CONTACT US

 

For more information on JFNA’s work in Israel and overseas, please contact our Israel office at israeloverseas@jewishfederations.org or call 011-972-2-620-2020.

    
   

Previously released updates, continued...

Update: March 11, 2024

On Tuesday, March 5, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521) was introduced to the US Congress with broad bipartisan support. Jewish Federations of North America are supporting this bill to help address the proliferation of antisemitic content on social media, specifically on TikTok. The historic rise in antisemitism has been documented both by the federal government, which showed FBI Hate Crime data reaching “historic levels” last year, and the ADL, which tracks a 336% rise since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel of October 7. See more here

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

 

• The IDF is said to have attempted to assassinate Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas’s military wing, in an airstrike in central Gaza. According to media reports, Issa was hiding in the Nuseirat camp, and on Saturday night, the IDF carried out an attack on a building where he was believed to be located. Five Palestinians were killed in the strike, although it is not yet confirmed whether Issa, who is considered to be number three in the terror organization in Gaza, was among them.

• Israel has said that it will move forces into the city of Rafah to eliminate the last Hamas stronghold in the Strip which is located there. The IDF also believes that some of the hostages and Hamas leaders are in the town (earlier this month, IDF special forces rescued two Israeli hostages from captivity in an apartment in the city). Nonetheless, media is reporting that the Biden administration is not expecting Israel to expand its ground operation into Rafah in the near future. In an interview over the weekend, the US President highlighted “deep US concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza” and called the planned IDF operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah a “red line.”

ROCKETS

 

• In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. The IDF announced yesterday that it is training to deploy supplies to troops inside Lebanon, in case of an invasion of that country. Commentators suggest that the announcement is likely a way to exert pressure on the Lebanese government (and the international community) in order to have it, in turn, pressure Hezbollah, into redeploying north of the Litani River in order to avoid a full-scale war with Israel.

• The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low (less than one per day on average), due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.

• In the Red Sea, the US, the UK and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.

 

HOSTAGES

 

• Some 134 men, women, children and elderly hostages remain in Hamas captivity, 156 days since they were seized. Israel is understood to have accepted the terms of a hostage deal negotiated by the US, Qatar and Egypt, but Hamas continues to reject the offer.

• Released hostages have shared harrowing accounts of physical and emotional torture in very harsh conditions. A recent UN report found “clear and convincing information” that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages, and “reasonable grounds” to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held in captivity.

• Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. had been pushing hard for a hostage deal before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan began last night, and have called on Hamas to accept the terms of a framework worked out in Paris last month that would put in place a six-week pause in fighting and free some 40 hostages, including women, children, female soldiers and the elderly - in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners.

• The Biden administration has publicly stated that Israel accepted the broad terms, while Hamas is refusing to agree to the proposal. Earlier this week President Biden said, “It’s in the hands of Hamas right now.”

• It has been reported that Hamas demanded that a ceasefire must be in place before freeing any hostages. Hamas also demanded that Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza, sufficient aid must be allowed in, all displaced Gazans will be allowed to return to their homes, a large number of prisoners including convicted terrorists will be released, and that it will receive certain machinery that it claims would be used for clearing rubble.

• Furthermore, Hamas has delayed providing information, such as a list of hostages it is holding, that would allow a deal to progress. 

• In President Biden’s State of the Union address last week, he recognized the 250 hostages, and acknowledged the families of American hostages in the audience that are still being held in captivity. “I pledge to all the families that we will not rest until we bring their loved ones home,” he said. He added that “Israel has a right to go after Hamas. Hamas could end this conflict today by releasing the hostages, laying down arms, and surrendering those responsible for October 7th.” The President also instructed the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a pier off the coast of Gaza that would allow for the facilitation of increased amounts of humanitarian aid. 

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

• President Biden announced in last week’s State of the Union address, a new American plan to build a temporary seaport off the shores of northern Gaza.

 

• The plan is for the US armed forces to build a makeshift, offshore dock which would serve as an entry-point to Gaza for humanitarian aid. Goods would be supplied by the United Arab Emirates and ships would be examined for weapons in Cyprus before sailing to Gaza.

• It is also possible that the temporary port may also serve to allow Gazans to export goods in the future.

• Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that plans to provide aid to Gaza via the temporary port, will “advance the collapse of Hamas’s rule.” He said, “The process is designed to bring aid directly to the residents and thus continue the collapse of Hamas’s rule in Gaza. We will bring the aid through a maritime route that is coordinated with the US on the security and humanitarian side, with the assistance of the Emirates on the civil side, and appropriate inspection in Cyprus, and we will bring goods imported by international organizations with American assistance.”

• Israeli Ynet news outlet reported today that the idea of the temporary port originated from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• President Biden also said over the weekend that Prime Minister Netanyahu is “hurting Israel more than he’s helping. In response, Netanyahu said that Biden was “wrong.” See details here.

• With other airlines having largely suspended flights to Israel since October 7, El Al announced that its profits for the fourth quarter of 2023 were up 370%. Read more here.

FURTHER READING

 

 

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

  • Listen to this interview with released hostage Aviva Siegel recounting her agonizing ordeal spending 51 days in Hamas captivity. Her husband Keith still remains in the hands of terrorists. 
  • Read the story of 28-year-old Arbel Yehud, known by her family as “the favorite aunt” with a magnetic smile who always plays with, and takes care of, her nieces and nephews. An astronomy and space exploration guide, Arbel was in her home on Kibbutz Nir Oz when terrorists seized her and her boyfriend Ariel and took them by force into Gaza. Even though Hamas promised to release all women in an earlier hostage deal, Arbel has spent her 154th day in captivity. Arbel and Ariel recently returned from a trip to South Africa and have many bright plans for the future. 
  • Israel’s President Isaac Herzog: Israeli heroines are everywhere

UPCOMING WEBINARS

 

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): 

Mondays and Thursdays from 11-11:30 am ET

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Regular webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.

JEWISH FEDERATIONS RESOURCES

For latest details on Israel Emergency Campaign Allocations, click here.

 

Jewish Federations' Backgrounders:

At-Risk Youth  

LGBQT Community

Young Children

Volunteers

Women

Pastoral Guidance

Bedouin Communities

Food Security

People with Disabilities

 

Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQ’s to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 

As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.

 

Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.

Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.

 

Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

 

Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

Update: March 7, 2024

Past updates can be found here.

• Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $783 million and allocated close to $385 million. For details, click here.

• For the first time since the start of the war on October 7, Israel has completed raising a dollar bond in international markets totaling an overall $8 billion. In recent months, the state has focused on raising debt to finance the war through private offerings and Israel Bonds.

• In the latest issuance, demands reached approximately $38 billion, the highest in Israel's history, despite perceived pessimism over the economy.

• Three new bonds were issued for terms of 5 years, 10 years, and 30 years. Approximately 400 investors from around 36 countries participated in the new issuance.

• Israel’s Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said, “The high demand is a sign of the strength of the Israeli economy and represents a vote of confidence from investors in the market and in our economic policy.”

• Meanwhile, Israel’s largest bank, Hapoalim, announced that, despite the war, its 2023 profits were up 13%.

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

 

• The media is reporting that the US has so far sent over 100 shipments of weapons to Israel since fighting began. The deliveries have included ammunition for Israel’s artillery and armored corps, “bunker busters” (earth-penetrating ordnance), and light weapons.

• However, some reports also suggest that the Biden Administration is considering a ban on any of its equipment's being used in an IDF attack on Rafah. Rafah remains the last bastion of significant Hamas power, but is also the city where hundreds of thousands of Gazans who have fled the fighting in other parts of the Gaza Strip are currently located.

• According to the IDF, 25 airdrop missions have been deployed over Gaza to parachute aid into the Strip since fighting began on October 7. Some 750 containers of relief have been dropped into the enclave by the US, UAE, Egypt, Jordan and France. Most of the drops have been made in northern Gaza, where it has been hardest to deliver aid. On Tuesday, Jordan said 43 planes had flown aid missions over the Strip.

• The IDF has destroyed and sealed the largest Hamas attack tunnel found in Gaza. The passage is located some 165 feet underground in some areas and appeared to have been wide enough for vehicles to pass through. It did not enter Israeli territory, but officials described it as designed for use in attacks, rather than as a defensive position or for use in transporting officials. The IDF said the tunnel project was led by Muhammad Sinwar, the commander of Hamas’s southern brigade who is the brother of Hamas’s Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar.

ROCKETS

 

• In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. Hezbollah-backed media are reporting that Israel has set a March 15 deadline for a diplomatic deal that would see the group’s forces redeploy from the border area. Without this troop withdrawal, media reports suggest, Israel would escalate the current skirmishes into a full-blown war with the terrorist group. Yesterday, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein that Hezbollah’s continued attacks on Israel are bringing the country closer to a decision regarding military action in Lebanon.

• The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low (less than one per day on average), due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.

• In the Red Sea, the US, the UK and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. Yesterday, a Houthi missile attack killed three sailors on a Red Sea merchant ship, marking the first fatalities reported since the group began strikes against international shipping. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which set the Greek-owned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze in the Red Sea.

 

HOSTAGES

 

• Despite hope for a temporary truce to pause the fighting in Gaza alongside a hostage release before the start of Ramadan next week, no further concrete progress in negotiations has been made. Egypt, Qatar and the US have been pushing hard for an agreement before the Muslim fasting month begins on Sunday, and has called on Hamas to accept the terms of a framework worked out in Paris last month that would put in place a six-week pause in fighting and free some 40 hostages, including women, children, female soldiers and the elderly—in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners.

• Reports suggest that while Israel has accepted the proposed framework, Hamas has delayed providing information, such as a list of hostages it is holding, that would allow a deal to progress.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

• Israel’s Minister Benny Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet, traveled to the US and to Britain, in defiance of requests by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for him not to travel. Yesterday, Gantz met with UK Foreign Minister David Cameron and others. During one of the meetings, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “dropped in” and joined the discussions. Gantz reportedly took the opportunity to ask the UK government to increase its pressure on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages. 

• Despite months of evidence presented by Israel on both the direct affiliation of UNRWA staff with Hamas and systematic sexual violence committed against Israeli women, there have been widespread efforts to deny these reports. Yesterday, Israel revealed further evidence of the involvement of UNRWA workers in the October 7 massacres. Also, the UN published a 23-page report substantiating the systematic rape and sexual violence committed against Israeli women both on and after October 7. Details:

• On Tuesday, Israel declassified an intercepted conversation between UNRWA teacher Yusef Zidan Suleiman Al-Hawajara, boasting about kidnapping an Israeli woman on October 7. Israel also released the names of additional UNRWA teachers and health workers who are Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, all of whom had direct involvement in the October 7 massacres. The IDF has revealed that over 450 UNRWA employees are military operatives in terrorist groups in Gaza. 

• In January, the New York Times detailed the terror activities of 12 UNRWA employees, which included kidnapping a woman, handing out ammunition, and taking part in the Kibbutz Be’eri massacre where 97 people were brutally murdered. The employees included teachers and a social worker who received UNRWA salaries. 

• On Tuesday, the UN released a report detailing findings from a mission to Israel to gather, analyze and verify allegations of sexual violence committed against Israeli women. The mission team found “clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages and has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held in captivity.” The mission team also found “reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the 7 October attacks, including rape and gang-rape in at least three locations: the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Re’im.”  

• According to the report, in most of these incidents, victims were first subjected to rape and then killed. At least two incidents relate to the rape of women’s corpses. 

• In response to the report, President Isaac Herzog urged the international community to condemn these acts and punish Hamas. He said, “Hamas and its allies are trying to discredit the report, to escape from this horrific shame. They will not succeed as the testimonies are shocking indeed. Therefore, now the world must react strongly by condemning and punishing Hamas.” 

FURTHER READING

 

 

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

  • Nir Forti, 29: Slain just before his 30th birthday trip to Spain
  • See this story of 22-year-old German-Israeli Shani Louk, an art and culture lover who spent the early hours of October 7 dancing with her boyfriend at the Nova music festival before the two were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists. Described as “a pure angel” who cared deeply for humanity, Shani was seen in a video lying lifeless in the back of a truck and being paraded around the streets of Gaza after she was kidnapped from the festival. A piece of Shani’s skull was found, indicating that terrorists beheaded her in Gaza, where her body is still being held. After her death, Shani’s family organized an art exhibition in Tel Aviv called “Forever Young Forever Art” to celebrate her creative soul. 
  • Read about 'Fight for life,' by mothers whose daughters are still hostages in Gaza

UPCOMING WEBINARS

 

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): 

Mondays and Thursdays from 11-11:30 am ET

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Regular webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.

JEWISH FEDERATIONS RESOURCES

For latest details on Israel Emergency Campaign Allocations, click here.

 

Jewish Federations' Backgrounders:

At-Risk Youth  

LGBQT Community

Young Children

Volunteers

Women

Pastoral Guidance

Bedouin Communities

Food Security

People with Disabilities

 

Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQ’s to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 

As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.

 

Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.

Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.

 

Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

 

Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

Update: March 4, 2024

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

 

  • The IDF has concluded its two-week operation in Gaza City, during which it reports that more than 100 Hamas militants have been eliminated. 
  • In a surprise attack, fifty terrorist targets were struck Saturday night in Gaza’s Khan Younis is just six minutes, according to the IDF.  
  • This morning, the IDF killed Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants suspected of a rocket attack on Hatzerim, a kibbutz in Southern Israel.
  • Earlier today, one person was killed and seven others wounded in Israel by an anti-tank missile attack from Lebanon that struck an orchard near the border community of Margaliot. The victims are all foreign laborers, apparently from Thailand.
  • The IDF attacked a vehicle in southern Lebanon via drone strike, killing three Hezbollah operatives. Among them was Abbas Ahmed Halil, grandson of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
  • Another wave of airstrikes took place in the Rafah area, including near the Philadelphi Corridor (along the border between Gaza and Egypt). The IDF had discovered a network of Hamas tunnels in the area.
  • Three IDF soldiers died on Friday in an explosion in Khan Younis; their names are Sgt. Dolev Malka, Sgt. Afik Tery, and Sgt. Inon Yitzhak. Fourteen others were wounded, five of them severely. In addition, the IDF confirmed the death of Warrant Officer Dennis Yekimov, 33, of Beer Sheva who was killed on Saturday.  
  • A grim total of 586 Israeli soldiers have died since October 7, with 246 perishing since the beginning of the ground war on October 27. Click here for the latest update, in English, on wounded and fallen soldiers.  
  • The IDF has announced a full investigation of the situation last week in which Hamas accused Israel of shooting at thousands of Gazans who were desperately trying to get aid from a convoy of trucks. Israel will attempt new methods of delivering aid to northern Gaza in the wake of the incident. 
  • The US and Jordanian air forces jointly airdropped 38,000 meals into Gaza over the weekend. The IDF and local Gazans have teamed up to protect humanitarian aid. The arrangement is a marker of hope for future cooperation between the two groups after the horrific stampede last Friday.

ROCKETS

 

  • Hezbollah claims to have shelled areas near the Israeli border town of Zarit, but Israel has not confirmed this.
  • In the Red Sea, an Italian naval ship shot down a drone in self-defense—the drone is the same type as those used by the Houthis. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetti said, “The Houthi terrorist attacks are a serious violation of international law and an attack on the security of the maritime traffic on which our economy depends,” he says.
  • A UK-owned ship, the Rubymar, sank over the weekend after being damaged by a Houthi missile on February 18. The ship’s cargo included more than 20,000 tons of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer, the loss of which poses a significant environmental threat. The Houthis have now perpetrated five dozen attacks in the Red Sea region, which is one of the busiest commercial waterways in the world.

 

CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS

 

  • Officials say Israel has agreed in principle to a six-week ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for the return of hostages. But as a precondition for negotiations, Israel had reportedly demanded a list of the hostages who are still alive.
  • Because Hamas refused to provide such a list, Israel declined to send its negotiators to Cairo, where talks were set to resume yesterday.
  • Earlier today, Israeli sources said that negotiators were asking for information on the number of hostages still alive, rather than the names of all individuals still in captivity, as a prerequisite to continuing talks. Hamas is demanding a permanent end to Israel’s ground invasion first. 
  • President Biden is urging that a ceasefire take effect by this Sunday, which marks the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
  • According to Egyptian and Qatari officials, Yahya Sinwar, the Gazan leader of Hamas, has been out of contact for more than a week. Unnamed Israeli officials have been quoted claiming that Sinwar is not interested in reaching a ceasefire.

MORE ON THE HOSTAGES

 

  • Close to 20,000 marchers arrived in Jerusalem on Saturday to call for the release of the hostages after walking for four days from Kibbutz Reim. The protesters held a rally in Paris Square.
  • With his own wife and daughter freed from captivity in November, Israeli TV writer Hen Avigdori continues to advocate for the release of the rest of the hostages.
  • The Kan public broadcaster on Sunday leaked a recording of the three hostages who, as they emerged from hiding, were mistakenly killed by the IDF last December. Hear the audio of the pleas of Alon Shamriz, Yotam Haim, and Samer Talaka here. The recording was captured by a GoPro camera attached to a canine unit dog from the IDF’s Oketz unit. Despite hearing cries for help, IDF soldiers believed that these sounds were a ruse by the enemy, intended to draw them into an ambush.

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

  • In a speech in Selma, Alabama, Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines by calling for an “immediate ceasefire” to ameliorate the dire situation in Gaza. In the same speech, however, she made clear that the onus was on Hamas to accept a six-week ceasefire and to return the hostages. "Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table, and, as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal. Let's get a ceasefire, let's reunite the hostages with their families, and let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza." Nevertheless, her remarks are being characterized as the most explicit condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza to date.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu is said to be furious that War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz is visiting Washington without his approval. Gantz is set to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Members of Congress from both parties.
  • US Envoy Amos Hochstein is visiting Beirut today to attempt, through diplomatic channels, to stave off war between Israel and Hezbollah.
  • Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, called out the country’s anti-Israel protests on Friday, noting a “shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality.” He implored British citizens to “stand together to combat the forces of division.” 
  • At the recommendation of President Herzog, public broadcaster Kan has agreed to revise the song lyrics for Israel’s Eurovision entry. Kan reached out to the writers and asked them to change the words. The president said that the Israelis need to be “smart and not just right” in this situation because of the importance of being represented at the contest. 

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

  • In Sderot, schools reopened for the first time since October 7. Roughly 55-60% of students in the border community’s district were in attendance. 
  • Thai field hand Sriaoun Watchara, 32, was taken hostage on October 7 along with five other field hands (two of whom have returned safely to Thailand); 11 other Thais were murdered.
  • A 96-year-old woman, Aviva Sela, escaped the massacre at Be’eri on October 7 even after her Filipina caregiver was murdered and her grandson, who was visiting her at the time, was taken captive. Her daughter and former son-in-law were both slain. 
  • Thousands of ordinary Israelis have become heroes at this time of travail and tragedy.

 

FURTHER READING

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS 

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $375 million. For details, click here.

 

See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

 

 

Jewish Federations released the Israel Emergency Impact Report and Resource Package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.

 

Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. Click on this link for important FAQs to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot here. Registration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and for all those looking for a longer experience in Israel.

 

As part of the Second Line Initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.

 

Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project.

 

Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.  

 

Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.

 

Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

 

Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here. 

 

Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Previous updates can be found here.

JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.



For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations of North America’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: February 29, 2024

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities  

 

  • Two Israelis were killed today in a terrorist attack in the West Bank. The names of the victims have not yet been released. The attack took place at a gas station near Eli, where four Israelis were killed in terrorist attack last summer.
  • Hundreds of Palestinians were injured and more than a hundred were killed when they swarmed food trucks that entered Gaza this morning. According to the IDF, and despite Hamas claims to the contrary, Israeli gunfire caused just 10 deaths of Palestinians who were moving toward IDF soldiers.   
  • Division 162 and the Nahal Brigade’s combat team have unearthed and mostly destroyed an extensive underground tunnel network that connects northern and southern Gaza. The tunnels are believed to have been used for intergroup communication between the multiple terrorist factions in Gaza. Soldiers found bodies of terrorists, weaponry, military equipment, and storage areas. The tunnels ran under both a hospital and a university. 
  • Two IDF soldiers, company commander Major Iftah Shahar, 25, and platoon commander Captain Itai Seif, 24, were killed by a bomb in a booby-trapped building in Zeitoun. Click here for the latest updates, in Hebrew, on fallen soldiers.  
  • The IDF has killed Hassan Hossein Salami, commander of the Hajir sector of Hezbollah. Salami was responsible for leading a series of attacks against IDF troops, as well as against both civilian and military targets in the North. The IDF is continuing to carry out air strikes against Hezbollah, targeting miliary infrastructure in the south from which terrorists have attacked Israelis in the Golan Heights.  
  • The IDF has announced the opening of a new center near Tel Hashomer Medical Center in Ramat Gan to treat PTSD. The IDF Medical Corps has received around 30,000 phone calls for assistance with emotional distress since the start of the war.  
  • Major General Yehuda Fox formally approved plans for a new West Bank settlement of 3,600 to 13,000 housing units. The announcement has drawn praise from the pro-settlement movement. It came just a few days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the new settlement plans “inconsistent with international law,” reverting to a longstanding US position that the Trump Administration had reversed. 

Rockets 

 

  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant retaliation. In the wake of Israel’s limited military operations in Rafah, Iran has ordered Hezbollah to escalate its attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border. 
  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israeli remains very low, due to Hamas’s significantly diminished capabilities. 
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. The US also continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in both Syria and Iraq.  
  • According to Syrian state media, Israel attacked several sites in the Damascus countryside, which Israel believes to be the location of several Iranian-backed strongholds. The IDF did not comment. See videos of the attacks here.  

 

Hostages  

 

  • Currently, 132 hostages remain in Gaza amid ongoing negotiations for their release. The IDF estimates that roughly 30 are dead.  
  • The families of some of the hostages set out yesterday on a four-day march from Kibbutz Re’im to Jerusalem to keep the spotlight on the desperate plight of their loved ones. 
  • Israel's Genesis Prize was awarded to multiple organizations that support hostage families through the Jewish Agency for Israel. Recipients include the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the Jewish Agency Fund for Victims of Terror, Lev Echad, Natal, The Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center, and One Family.  
  • President Biden is expected to invite family members of the hostages to this year’s State of the Union Address. 
  • The Biden Administration remains hopeful that a deal securing the release some of the hostages will be inked by Monday. Hamas has denounced the US-drafted proposal, calling it a “Zionist document.” 

International  

 

  • The Canadian government will begin airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza at the start of next week. The United States government is weighing doing the same, as land deliveries become increasingly difficult to execute. Supplies would come from Israel, Canada, America, France, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. 
  • In the Michigan primaries, over 101,000 voters cast “uncommitted” ballots in protest of the Biden Administration’s ongoing support of Israel. For context, roughly 21,000 voters were “uncommitted” in the 2012 Michigan primaries, the last time an incumbent Democratic president ran for reelection. Analysts speculate that a share of 15% or more uncommitted votes would be significant enough for a change in Biden’s approach; the current proportion is around 13%. 
  • “Dance Forever,” Israel’s second song submission for the annual Eurovision contest, has been rejected for being “too political.” The song references the Nova music festival massacre. This comes after the country’s first submission, “October Rain,” was rejected on the same grounds. Read the “Dance Forever” lyrics here.  
  • New Zealand designated the entirety of Hamas as a terrorist entity Thursday morning. The military wing has fallen under this classification since 2010. The country also created a travel ban on “extremist” Israeli settlers who have engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. 
  • CNN is reporting that Biden officials are growing increasingly concerned that Israel will launch an incursion into Lebanon in the coming months. 

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope  

 

  • Shoshana Karsenty, 85, an artist and art teacher, was murdered by Hamas in Kibbutz Be’eri. A native of Argentina, she moved to Israel at the age of fifteen. Read her story here.  
  • Narseen Yousef, a Druze mother of four, fooled Hamas into revealing their plan on October 7. She saved her community of Moshav Yated, a predominantly Jewish village on the Southern Gaza border. Using her native Arabic, she convinced the assailants that she was on their side and extracted information which she relayed to the IDF. 
  • Hagay Lober, an actor and rabbi, staged a one-man play about the Hamas attack, aptly titled “October 7.” The show was produced by Jerusalem’s Aspaklaria theatre company. The production comes one month after Lober’s son, staff sergeant Elisha Yehonatan Lober, fell in battle.  
  • Three Israeli women from Ra’anana created “Scarves of Love,” a project that aims to knit one scarf for every hostage in captivity. Their initiative has had a ripple effect, with dozens of volunteers pitching in. 

 

Further Reading 

 

  • Sherwin Pomerantz, past president of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel, penned an op-ed on the inevitability of a two-state solution
  • The increased accessibility of AI has shifted the landscape of the cyberspace; when it comes to war discourse, it is no different. Read a report of how a group associated with the Muslim Brotherhood has attempted to impact public opinion of Israel’s war on Hamas here
  • Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh of the Palestinian Authority is stepping down. President Mahmoud Abbas, the highest-ranking official in the Palestinian Authority, is staying in his position.  

Jewish Federations' Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $375 million. For details, click here.   
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations: 
  • At-Risk Youth   
  • LGBTQ+ Community  
  • Young Children
  • Volunteers  
  • Women  
  • Pastoral Guidance  
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security  
  • People with Disabilities   
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.  
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQs to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel.   
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations is partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.  
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.   
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.   
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.  
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.  
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.  
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.   
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.  
  • Previous updates can be found here.  

Update: February 26, 2024

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities 

  • During an evacuation of civilians from Khan Yunis in Gaza, the IDF found terrorists who were concealed along with civilians and attempting to escape with them. The terrorists were apprehended by the Seventh Armored Brigade, which also killed several other militants and discovered a cache of weapons, including rifles, machine guns, and grenades. 

 

  • The IDF found a terrorist cell that had been using drones to attack Israelis; the Israeli Air Force (IAF) neutralized the cell. The IAF attacked Hamas’s aerial unit, including striking rocket launch posts that were pointed toward Israel.  

 

  • Meanwhile, the IDF announced that it has concluded a weeklong raid on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where both militants and weapons had been found; about 200 terror suspects, including some who allegedly participated in the October 7 massacre, have been arrested there. There is also evidence that Israeli hostages were held captive for a period at the same hospital, including boxes of sealed medicine labeled with the names of hostages. 

 

  • Two IDF soldiers, Staff Sgt. Ido Eli Zrihen, 20, and Staff Sgt. Nerya Belete, 21, died while fighting with the Givati Reconnaissance Unit in southern Gaza. An officer and two soldiers in the Givati Brigade were also seriously wounded. Click here for the latest information, in Hebrew, on fallen soldiers.  

 

  • Violence has erupted once again in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, where IDF soldiers have now been redeployed. Major Eyal Shuminov, 24, of the Givati Brigade was killed by an anti-tank missile on Saturday in the neighborhood. The district is being eyed as a potential site for a “humanitarian pocket,” where some semblance of ordinary Gazan life would be able to resume once Hamas is defeated; under the plan, local merchants and civic leaders would be empowered to distribute humanitarian aid. 

Rockets 

 

  • Multiple Hezbollah rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome on Saturday over Kiryat Shmona. Watch the interceptions here. Also, Israel’s long-range Arrow air defense system shot down a missile over the Red Sea that was headed for Israel. Watch the video here
  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low, due to Hamas’s capabilities being significantly degraded by the IDF. 
  • In joint airstrikes, the US and UK struck at least 18 Houthi rebel targets in Yemen; they included an underground storage facility, weapons, and a helicopter. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the country are attempting to ban ships owned by Israeli, American, or British companies—or sailing under their flags—from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. After the ban was announced, a Houthi missile struck a British-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, setting it on fire. 

 

Hostages 

 

  • The IDF confirmed that Sgt. Oz Daniel, 19, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped along with the rest of his tank crew, on October 7, has died in captivity.  
  • Last week’s talks in Paris on a new hostage deal appear to have made progress; the Israeli, American, Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators developed what an Israeli official called “a solid basis for discussions.” Another Israeli official reported that Hamas has “dropped some of its demands.” Channel 12 in Israel carried the statement that if Hamas goes along with the agreement, then there is “a high chance that, before March 11 [when Ramadan begins], we will see hostages freed for the first time since [the first truce collapsed at the end of] November.” There are an estimated 134 hostages still imprisoned by Hamas, but only about 100 thought to still be alive. 
  • Israel’s War Cabinet has approved a new round of talks this week, to be coordinated by Qatar. They will take place in Egypt. 
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday morning that an invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city (on the border with Egypt) where more than a million Palestinians are now sheltering, would mark the last phase of the war. He said that a hostage deal could delay this offensive, but the invasion will take place no matter what. 
  • The prime minister released his plan for postwar Gaza, which includes continuing control of not only Gaza by the IDF, but also the borders between both Gaza and Israel and Gaza and Egypt. The plan has been rejected by Palestinian leadership; it also does not follow American prescriptions for the future of the enclave. 
  • The prime minister said that 99 Members of Knesset are opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state, despite the insistence of the US and other countries that the war must give way to plans for such an entity. A majority of Israelis, recent surveys have shown, also disagree with the idea.  

International 

 

  • An officer is the US Air Force died today after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington. The self-immolation was a protest against what he called, before lighting the match, Israeli “genocide” in Gaza.  
  • Secretary of State Tony Blinken is expressing disappointment with the prime minister’s plan to build 3,000 new homes in the West Bank. He said that “new settlements are counterproductive to reaching an enduring peace.” In a reversal of the Trump Administration’s view of the West Bank settlements, Blinken called them “inconsistent with international law.” 
  • Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, from the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party, claimed that US President Joe Biden “is leading us to a disaster” in that a Palestinian state adjacent to Israel would “lead to a Holocaust.”  

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope 

 

  • Arbel Yehud, 28, a third-generation resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was taken captive along with her brother, Dolev, and her boyfriend, Ariel Cunio. Although many women have been released by Hamas, Arbel has not.  
  • Keith Siegel, 64, and his wife Aviva, 62, who made aliyah from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, were taken hostage from their home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Along with a neighbor and her two children, they were driven into Gaza in their own car. Aviva was released on November 26, but Keith is still in Gaza. 
  • Watch this heartwarming video of Kibbutz Be’eri children singing. Their kibbutz, which is located just three miles from the border with Gaza. was one of the worst sites of the massacre by Hamas  
  • Watch 12 Hours, a six-and-a-half minute English-language mini-documentary by Eli Katzoff about Einav Zangauker, who, along with her family, is protesting to secure the release of her son, Matan. In the film, the family pitches a tent on the highway and blocks traffic to make their demands. 

 

Further Reading 

 

Jewish Federations  

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $350 million. For details, click here

 

  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

 



 

  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQs to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel.  

 

  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations is partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller

 

  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.  

 

  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.   

 

  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here

 

  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here

 

  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now. 

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.  

 

  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here

 

  • Previous updates can be found here

Update: February 22, 2024

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • A terror attack took place just outside Jerusalem this morning. At least one Israeli was killed and eleven were wounded, with some in serious condition, including a 23-year-old pregnant woman. Three terrorists who opened fire on cars waiting in traffic were all killed. Hamas referred to the attack as a “heroic operation.”
  • The IDF has launched a large-scale operation in a Gaza City neighborhood, during which troops have been raiding Hamas sites and killing terrorists. Over the past day, the IDF directed airstrikes against ten Hamas sites in the area, and have located and destroyed a rocket launcher that had been readied for an attack on Israel.
  • Meanwhile, in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, IDF troops killed more than fifteen Hamas operatives in fighting, while the Navy carried out strikes against vessels belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Numerous tunnels were also destroyed.
  • Despite considerable international opposition, senior Israeli officials continue to say that the IDF will fight Hamas in the city of Rafah to destroy the last significant bastions of Hamas power.
  • The IDF has also advanced plans to establish a local Palestinian governing body to replace Hamas in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, in what is seen as a pilot program for “the day after.” IDF officials have already met with a group of unnamed Palestinian community leaders who will be tasked with governing residents of the area who did not flee southward due to the fighting. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel wants local Palestinian community leaders who are not affiliated with either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to take over the governance of Gaza after the war.

Rockets

 

  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. Earlier today, two anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon. One of the missiles hit a home in Yuval, causing considerable damage; the second struck an open area near Kiryat Shmona. There are no reports of injuries in the attacks as most residents of the region have been evacuated.
  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low, due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. Earlier today, a long-range rocket was fired at Israel’s southernmost city of Eilat, and sirens sounded throughout the town. The rocket was intercepted over the Red Sea by Israel’s Arrow long-range ballistic missile defense system.

 

Hostages

 

  • Despite Israel's maintaining that Hamas has made unrealistic demands, negotiations over a new hostage deal continue. Israeli officials are likely to attend another high-level summit in Paris tomorrow, aimed at securing a deal. As they did during the first such summit in the French capital late last month, Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, and CIA chief Bill Burns are all likely to attend.
  • Over one month after a special medical shipment entered Gaza, Qatar says that it has received confirmation from Hamas that it has begun delivering medications for the hostages in Gaza.

International Response

 

  • Britain andJordan have airdropped four tons of aid including medicines, fuel, and food to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, Britain’s Foreign Office said yesterday. The UK-funded aid was delivered by the Jordanian Air Force.
  • United Airlines has announced a resumption of its flights to Israel beginning in March, becoming the first US-based carrier to do so. El Al continued to fly to Israel throughout the war, as did several United Arab Emirates-based airlines and others. Some European carriers resumed flights last month.
  • According to the media, the British government said it will weigh a potential suspension of weapons exports to Israel if it moves forward with a ground offensive in Gaza’s southern city, Rafah. Reports say that the United Kingdom has yet to make any decision regarding a suspension of arms export licenses.
  • Israel’s Association of Rape Crisis Centers has released and sent to the United Nations a graphic report detailing evidence of systematic sexual and gender-based crimes at the Nova Festival, in homes in southern Israel, on IDF bases, and in Hamas captivity.
  • Some background and information from the report (warning, includes graphic and disturbing content):
  • Despite evidence of systematic brutal sexual violence and rape committed by Hamas terrorists on and after October 7, many leading women’s rights organizations have remained silent or have issued muted reactions in the face of these horrors. Many others continue to deny the abundance of forensic and video evidence as well as testimonies provided by first responders, survivors of the October 7 massacres, and other witnesses.
  • According to the just-released 39-page report, many of the rapes were carried out in a group and the attacks were often perpetrated in front of family members or friends, to increase pain, terror, and humiliation. In most cases, the victims of the sexual violence – which included both men and women – were murdered during or after the sexual assault.
  • According to the report, “It appears that the perpetrators’ actions match patterns of wartime sexual violence documented in the literature; practices that describe rape and gender-based violence often appear in combination with sadistic practices with demonstratively brutal characteristics.”
  • The report explains that typically sexual violence is characterized by “delayed disclosure,” with most cases being reported sometimes months or even decades after the incident. It reaffirms that “no survivor should feel obligated to ‘serve’ the world's demand for information."
  • Many of the bodies of victims were found shackled and bound to other victims. The genitals of both men and women were brutally mutilated. In some cases, bodies were booby-trapped.
  • One survivor who walked around the site of the festival after the massacres described it as an “apocalypse of bodies, girls without clothes, some missing their upper, some their lower parts.”
  • On Kibbutz Be’eri where 90 residents were murdered, ZAKA volunteers described in graphic detail the signs of sexual assault on women’s bodies that they witnessed upon entering the homes of victims. Rescue workers and IDF soldiers who evacuated bodies in other kibbutzim reported similar sites.
  • Lieutenant Tamar Bar Shimon was serving on her IDF base when terrorists infiltrated. She was threatened with a weapon and demanded to remove her uniform.
  • Chen and Agam Goldstein who were released from captivity recounted that they know of at least three cases of female hostages being sexually assaulted.
  • Raz Cohen and Shoham Gueta survived the music festival and testified to witnessing terrorists raping and stabbing a young woman. Cohen said that during the brutal rape, even after the victim was no longer moving, the terrorist continued raping her. Another witness testified that he saw between eight and ten terrorists gang-raping a woman. “When they finished, they were laughing and the last one shot her in the head.”
  • The report concludes with a call to action: “When most of the victims of sexual assaults are murdered, we have a moral and humanitarian obligation to amplify their silent cry.”

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • Lior Waitzman was murdered by Hamas terrorists while out biking near Sderot on October 7. The 32-year-old Netflix soundman was training for an Ironman competition.
  • Many videos are circulating of reunions between soldiers and their families, following their return from service. Watch this video of 73-year-old Akiva Yagur who has put his IDF uniform back on to “serve in the army and protect the Jewish people” at this difficult time. In this short and moving piece in Hebrew, he visits his 102-year-old, ever-proud mother.
  • Listen to this testimony from Agam Goldstein of the horrors of sexual abuse in Hamas captivity, as told to her by a fellow hostage before she was released

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $350 million. For details, click here.

 

  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

 

 

  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important information to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

 

Update: February 20, 2024

JEWISH FEDERATIONS AND PARTNERS

 

• One of the many projects being supported by Jewish Federations through the Israel Emergency Campaign is a program for midwives to support pregnant women affected by the war, including those whose partners may have been killed, evacuees and others. More than 100 midwives are partnering with the Israel Midwives Association and the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization to accompany women through their pregnancy and delivery; they are providing emotional, practical, and other support. Read more here.

 

• Last week, the US Senate passed the “National Security Act,” a supplemental appropriations bill for military aid to both Israel and Ukraine, along with a significant increase to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). On Wednesday, Jewish Federations took out full-page ads, signed by additional Jewish organizations, in Politico and The Hill to show gratitude to the 70 senators who voted for the bill. To read Federations’ leadership message, click here. For more details on the Act, click here. And to read Federation Chair Julie Platt’s op-ed in the Jerusalem Post, click here. For an Action Alert encouraging the House to take up the bill, click here.

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

 

• Yesterday, an IDF soldier died of wounds sustained last week, bringing the total number of soldiers who have been killed since the ground operation began to 236, and 568 since October 7. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.

 

• The IDF has now withdrawn its last reserve brigade from the Gaza Strip, as the military says that it has neared the end of its offensive in Khan Younis. The IDF has been withdrawing much of its reserve forces from the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, leaving the standing army to continue the fighting. Government officials say the IDF aims to release reservists to help Israel’s economy, and to give troops a break before they are likely called up again, as lower-level intensity fighting in Gaza is expected to last for another year.

 

• Background: Hamas' strategy is founded on hiding under and within civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, in order to maximize civilian casualties and cause international pressure to prevent Israel from rightfully defending itself. Hamas has systematically exploited hospitals as cover for its tunnel system and to store weapons, launch rockets, shelter terrorists, operate command and operation centers, and hide hostages.

 

  • Hamas has been conducting terror operations from hospitals for many years. In 2009 the IDF reported that during Operation Cast Lead, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh operated a command and control center out of Shifa hospital and took over a ward of the hospital, believing that the IDF would not attack the hospital due to potential harm to civilians. Hamas isn't the only terrorist group to use hospitals as cover for military operations. The Al Salem hospital in Mosul was used by ISIS as a base for its attacks and was bombed by American troops.
  • Earlier in the war, much attention was placed on Shifa Hospital. This week, the New York Times reported, “Hamas used the hospital for cover, stored weapons inside it and maintained a hardened tunnel beneath the complex that was supplied with water, power and air-conditioning.”
  • The director of the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza admitted that up to 100 Hamas terrorists hid there and that some even had their own offices.
  • The IDF uncovered a tunnel under the Rantisi Hospital where it believes Hamas hid hostages.
  • The IDF said yesterday that it has “credible intelligence” that Hamas held hostages at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and there may be bodies of hostages currently hidden there.
  • Hamas terrorists continue to operate from and around Nasser and Al-Amal Hospitals, which includes launching a rocket from within Nasser.
  • The US corroborated Israel’s position about the misuse of hospitals by Hamas, stating in a Pentagon release that, “We do have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad uses some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including the al-Shifa hospital, as a way to conceal and support their military operations and hold hostages."
  • International law stipulates that medical facilities lose their protected status if they are used for military purposes, and that the defending military must provide warnings and consider other protections before attacking a hospital.
  • According to International Law expert Michael Schmitt, “The IDF appears to have taken numerous measuresto fulfill the obligation, such as by providing the requisite warnings, including medical teams and Arabic speakers when operating near hospitals, facilitating the evacuation of medical facilities, and maintaining dialogue with hospital authorities.”
  • Yesterday, the IDF said it is conducting a “precise and limited” operation inside Nasser hospital. As it has done with other hospitals, the IDF has liaised with the staff of Nasser to ensure that the hospital can remain operational. The IDF spokesperson said, “Our message to them is clear: We seek no harm to innocent civilians. We seek to find our hostages and bring them home. We seek to hunt down Hamas terrorists wherever they may be hiding.”

ROCKETS

 

• In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations.

• The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low, due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.

• In the Red Sea, the US, the UK and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.

 

HOSTAGES

 

• Perhaps the most famous of the hostages is the Bibas Family, particularly following widely-viewed video footage from October 7 of the young mother being kidnapped along with her two infant children. The two children are the last remaining minors to be held captive, and many believe they are no longer alive. Yesterday, the IDF released video footage (see herehere and here) that it had captured, showing the mother being led by gunman on October 7, while she tried to shelter her children. The Government of Israel has said that this is concrete proof that the family were alive when kidnapped, and that Hamas is responsible for their safety and well-being.

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

• Israel’s President Isaac Herzog published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal last week, heavily criticizing the case brought by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, and in particular noting how the case manipulated the President’s own words and failed to recognize the true magnitude of the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Hamas.

• At the ICJ hearing, the South African Government claimed that Israeli ‘apartheid’ against Palestinians was worse than the crimes committed in Apartheid-era South Africa.

•  Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accused Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza and fighting only against women and children. “What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments,” he said, before adding, “In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz summoned the Brazilian Ambassador to Israel to meet him at Yad Vashem, where the Ambassador was reprimanded. Brazil’s President has now recalled his Ambassador home for consultations.

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

• See the story of 61-year-old Lior Rudaeff, an immigrant from Argentina who has a deep love for the earth of Israel and for Kibbutz life. He taught generations of young people how to drive tractors. A volunteer medic and ambulance driver, on the morning of October 7 he left his home to defend his Kibbutz and family, and has not been heard from since. Lior is presumed to be in Hamas captivity and requires medication for a heart condition. His wife Yaffa, four children and grandchildren are eagerly awaiting his return home.

• Read about Shachar Zemach, 39, the peace activist who defended his kibbutz until his last bullet.

 

FURTHER READING

 

•  JTA: Jewish teens are looking at a new factor in their college search: antisemitism

• Former Chair of Israel’s Bank of Israel (Federal Reserve): On Moody's credit downgrade: Economic policy change cannot wait

• See this article by international law expert Michael Schmitt on Hamas’s misuse of hospitals for terror purposes and the legal implications as dictated by international law.

• Why the conflict on Israel’s northern border is growing more intense

• Watch haredi Rabbi David Leibel on the changing role of labor in the ultra-Orthodox world since October 7, and why haredim must join the workforce.

•  Israel on the international legal docket

JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

•  Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $350 million. For details, click here. See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

 

     o LGBTQ+ Community

     o Young Children

     o Volunteers

     o Women

     o Pastoral Guidance

     o Bedouin Communities

     o Food Security

     o People with Disabilities

 

• Convening on the Future of Israel Educational Travel: The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), the consortium of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations housed at Jewish Federations of North America, will hold a convening in Washington, DC from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1 to assess the future of the field of Israel educational immersive travel in the wake of 10/7. We welcome all Federation professionals who are involved with Israel-immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information, take a look at the FAQs or contact Melody.Desanto@jfna.org for more information.

• Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.

• Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQs to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot here. Registration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel.

• As part of the Second Line Initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.

• Jewish Federations’ 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.

• Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 

• Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

• Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.

• Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

• Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.

• Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

• Previous updates can be found here.

Update: February 15, 2024

Jewish Federations and Partners

  • This week, the US Senate passed a Supplemental Aid package that includes approximately $14 billion in aid to Israel and $400 million in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) needed to ensure houses of worship remain safe. Jewish Federations thanked the US Senate for passing this critical aid, and took out a thank-you ad in The Hill and Politico.
  • Untold numbers of Israeli children have been traumatized by the events of October 7 and its aftermath. The “Resilience for Our Children” nonprofit, a recipient of Jewish Federations’ Emergency Fund allocations, is working to deal with this challenge. See more here.

Rockets

 

  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. Yesterday, an Israeli soldier was killed and eight others were wounded as a barrage of at least 11 rockets fired from Lebanon slammed into Safed and an army base nearby. In response to the attack, the IDF launched widespread airstrikes against targets belonging to Hezbollah.
  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains very low, due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • The IDF said today that it has “credible intelligence” that Hamas held hostages at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and there may be bodies of hostages currently hidden there. The military said it is conducting a “precise and limited” operation inside the hospital, and the IDF spokesperson said, “We have doctors and Arabic-speaking IDF officers on the ground to communicate to the staff and patients inside the Nasser Hospital. Our message to them is clear: We seek no harm to innocent civilians. We seek to find our hostages and bring them home. We seek to hunt down Hamas terrorists wherever they may be hiding.” (Watch the IDF’s spokesperson’s full statement here).
  • Egypt remains strongly opposed to a large-scale Israeli incursion into Rafah, but the IDF says that the city, which lies on Egypt’s border, contains the last significant bastion of Hamas fighters and leaders, as well as most, if not all, of the hostages. Egypt has expressed concern over a possible humanitarian crisis since more than a million Gazans have taken refuge in Rafah. But it is also clear that Egypt fears a storming of its border by hundreds of thousands of Gazans, and the consequences of this population moving into sovereign Egyptian territory.
  • Rafah background:
  • Rafah is serving as a refuge for an estimated more than 1.3 million Palestinians who have evacuated areas where the fighting has been focused. President Biden has urged Israel to create a plan to ensure the safety of civilians before launching a major military operation in the city. The IDF says it is drawing up plans.
  • Rafah, and the border crossing with Egypt, remains under Hamas control, which allows the terror group to control much of the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The city has historically been a site of smuggling weapons into the Strip.
  • Hamas’s last remaining battalions and its top leadership - as well as most of the Israeli hostages - remain underground in the city.
  • According to military analysts, most of the weapons Hamas used to massacre Israelis on October 7 came through the Rafah crossing. Retired U.S. army officer and FDD Senior Director Brad Bowman explained the strategic value of destroying Hamas infrastructure in Rafah. “They also need to get after those tunnels that Hamas leaders are using to escape and also to bring in additional weapons so they can prepare for the next October 7th.”
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu said last week, “It is impossible to achieve the goal of the war of eliminating Hamas by leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah.” He added that Israel is working on a “plan for evacuating the population and destroying the battalions.”
  • NSC Spokesman John Kirby reiterated the U.S. position that Israel should create a credible plan for the safety of Palestinian civilians in Rafah before the IDF enters the city. He also emphasized that “We never said that they can’t go into Rafah to remove Hamas. Hamas remains a viable threat to the Israeli people. And the Israelis and the IDF, absolutely, are going to continue operations against their leadership and their infrastructure, as they should. We don’t want to see another October 7th.”
  • To complicate matters, Hamas has an interest in concentrating large numbers of civilians in Rafah as opposed to allowing them to evacuate to the nearby designated civilian zone of Al-Mawasi. This is Hamas’s strategy of using civilians as human shields to try to get international bodies to pressure Israel to stop its military operations.
  • In the early hours of Monday morning, the Israeli army and elite police commando units conducted one of the most dramatic rescue missions in its history. Based on precise intelligence, a raid was carried out on a building in Rafah that led to the successful and heroic rescue of two Israeli hostages, Louis Har, and Fernando Marman.

Hostages

 

  • Senior Israeli officials remain engaged in negotiations to reach a new deal on the hostages, despite Hamas’ earlier demands that Israel said could not be met. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said yesterday that, “This week we freed two of our hostages in a brilliant military operation. As of now, we have freed 112 of our hostages in a combination of strong military pressure and tough negotiations. This is also the key to freeing more of our hostages: Strong military pressure and very tough negotiations. Indeed, I insist that Hamas drop its delusional demands. When they do so, we will be able to move forward.”
  • According to many reports, the main current obstacle to a new hostage deal is the number and profile of Palestinian prisoners who would be released. Critically, Hamas is demanding the release of a large number of terrorists who have been convicted of murder, including those who took part in the October 7 massacres.

 

International Response

 

  • Yesterday, Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Gallant briefed the Secretary on IDF activities and operational achievements, including the successful operation conducted this week to release two hostages held in Gaza. Gallant emphasized the importance of ongoing military pressure and additional efforts to ensure the release of hostages. He also expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Administration for their leadership and commitment to ensuring the return of hostages.
  • The Lebanese government is involved in talks with foreign powers including White House Special Envoy Amos Hochstein about ways to avoid an escalation of Israel-Hezbollah tensions. The main principle of the talks is the potential implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which requires Hezbollah to redeploy north of the Litani River, and the Lebanese Army to move its forces to resume control of the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati said yesterday that the situation in southern Lebanon is still precarious but there is “progress towards long-term stability.” He also told reporters that Lebanon supports the full implementation of Resolution 1701, but would require support for its national army if it is to deploy its forces along Israel’s border.
  • Despite tensions over Rafah (see above), Egypt says that it remains committed to its relationship with Israel, and to acting as a mediator in hostage talks. Discussing the Israel-Egypt peace accords, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Samekh Shukri said yesterday that “the agreement is over forty years old and we shall continue to adhere to it.”
  • FBI Director Christopher Wray made an unannounced trip to Israel to meet with the country’s law and intelligence agencies. He also met with FBI agents based in Tel Aviv, according to a statement from the Bureau, stressing the importance of their work on Hamas and Hezbollah.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

  • Read the story of 43-year-old Police Commander Jayar Davidov, husband of Inbar and father of four children. Jayar was dedicated to protecting the citizens of Israel through his service as the commander of the police station in the Bedouin community of Rahat. He was described by Israel’s Police Commissioner as a man who “always had a sparkle in his eye.” Jayar immediately left his home on the morning of October 7th when he was notified that terrorists had invaded the area of Re’im. He was killed during the fighting. A few weeks later, his daughter Tal decided to join the Border Police to follow in the footsteps of her father.
  • The Times of Israel: Near Gaza, apprehensive returnees trickle back home to revive deserted communities

Further Reading

Jewish Federations Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $350 million. For details, click here.
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • LGBQT Community
  • Young Children
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • The Biden Administration has issued a new executive order to impose sanctions against four Israelis it said had committed violence in the West Bank. See this Jewish Federations’ backgrounder for more information.
  • Convening on the Future of Israel Educational Travel: The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), the consortium of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations housed at Jewish Federations of North America, will hold a convening in Washington, DC from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1 to assess the future of the field of Israel educational immersive travel in the wake of 10/7. We welcome all Federation professionals who are involved with Israel-immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information, take a look at the FAQs or contact Melody.Desanto@jfna.org for more information.
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important information to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: February 12, 2024

Jewish Federations and Partners

  • Jewish Federations' Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of more than $780 million and allocated close to $350 million. For details, click here.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • In what is being described as a “daring and complex operation,” Israeli special forces rescued two hostages from Hamas captivity in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip last night. The IDF has confirmed that Fernando Marman, 61, and Louis Har, 70, were both in reasonable condition after being rescued, following an operation that involved battles with Hamas terrorists and massive Israeli airstrikes in Rafah. The two hostages had been abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on the morning of October 7 and spent 129 days in captivity. The joint operation by the police’s elite Yamam counterterrorism unit, the Shin Bet security agency, and the IDF began at around 1:00 am, and forces breached the apartment at 1:49 a.m., killing the three terrorists guarding the hostages and then protecting the two hostages to allow an extraction. See the IDF’s full briefing on the rescue mission here.
  • The two rescued hostages, both Argentinian-born Israelis, are reported to be weak but in good condition. See here for further details of the operation, and watch the hostages’ reunion with their families here.
  • Overnight, two soldiers fell in battle in Gaza; both were sons of prominent Israeli doctors. Sgt. First Class Adi Eldor, 21, of the Commando Brigade’s Maglan unit, from Haifa, is the son of Dr. Liron Eldor, a senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Rambam Hospital. He is also the grandson of gynecologist Prof. Yosef Itzkowitz-Eldor of Rambam and the Technion, who was a pioneer in the fields of fertility medicine and stem cell research in Israel. Sgt. First Class (res.) Alon Kleinman, 21, of the Commando Brigade’s Maglan unit, from Tel Aviv is the son of Prof. Guy Kleinman, head of Wolfson’s ophthalmology department. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • With the north and center of Gaza largely under IDF control, and considerable military gains by Israel being recorded in the southern city of Khan Younis, the last remaining Hamas stronghold is the city of Rafah.
  • Located on the border between Gaza and Egypt, the city has seen a massive influx of Palestinians from the rest of the Strip, and now contains around six times the number of people it had on October 7. Its border location makes the city especially vulnerable, and Egypt, fearing a rush of hundreds of thousands to the border, has said that Israel should not attack Rafah. The international community is also largely opposed, with the US calling on Israel to refrain from attacking the city until a “credible plan” for its citizens is formulated.
  • Nonetheless, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue, and said over the weekend that it is impossible to eliminate Hamas if four Hamas battalions are allowed to remain there.
  • It is understood that Hamas’ top leadership--as well as most of the Israeli hostages--remain underground in the city. Given that hundreds of thousands of Gazans have taken refuge in makeshift camps there, the IDF says it is drawing up plans to evacuate civilians ahead of a possible ground attack.
  • Read more about possible operations in Rafah here.
  • The IDF uncovered a large, strategic tunnel that contained a sophisticated Hamas computer server farm. The discovery of the servers represents a significant intelligence find. The servers contain large amounts of valuable information that will assist the IDF in the ongoing war.
  • The tunnel itself is located directly beneath a UNRWA office building, but the organization says that it was not aware of any Hamas activity below ground in the area. Israeli officials expressed skepticism over that claim, questioning how UNRWA personnel could have been unaware of hundreds of Hamas terrorists digging tunnels and entering and leaving the facilities directly underneath a major UNRWA complex.
  • Also found in the tunnel were notebooks and documents belonging to Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. 
  • Over the weekend, the IDF said that according to its estimates, 60% of the humanitarian aid entering Gaza ends up in the hands of Hamas. It is estimated that the value of aid confiscated by Hamas since the beginning of the war is approximately $130 million.

Hostages

 

  • A new survey shows that Israelis are split on the question of whether the government should prioritize the freeing of hostages over defeating Hamas. Some 47% of Jewish Israelis insist that the return of the hostages should take precedence over the toppling of Hamas, while 42% express the opposite view. See details of this and other questions asked, here.
  • Meanwhile, senior Israeli officials remain engaged in negotiations to reach a new deal on the hostages, despite Hamas’ earlier demands that Israel said could not be met.

 

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low. In the last two weeks, it has averaged just one or two per day.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.

 

International Response

 

  • Moody’s rating agency lowered Israel’s credit rating from A1 to A2 and declared its outlook as “negative." This is the first time that Israel’s rating has been downgraded in recent memory. The agency attributed its adjustment to the war and related costs but also pointed out its concerns over the financial management of the government and its budget priorities, coupled with the effects of political instability in Israel. The government, especially Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, downplayed the decision and attacked Moody’s decision as being “politically motivated.” 
  • There was a flurry of activity this week on Capitol Hill as both the House and Senate took up bills for military assistance to Israel. The House narrowly voted down the $17.6 billion Republican-led bill as Democrats insisted on incorporating assistance to Ukraine and international humanitarian funding. However, the Senate bill, which includes $14.1 billion for Israel, $400 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds, $60.1 billion for Ukraine, and $10 billion in humanitarian aid, has advanced.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

  • Listen to the music of 26-year-old Shaul Greenglick, a talented singer from Ra’anana who auditioned on “The Next Star” to represent Israel at the Eurovision competition just weeks before he was killed while fighting Hamas. Greenglick, who comes from a family of talented musicians, dropped out of the competition due to his military duties. This week, his siblings performed a song in his memory on the season finale of the show.
  • More than 300,000 reserve soldiers were called up immediately after October 7. Many have now been released after months of fighting, and Israelis are constantly sharing video footage of soldiers returning home. Watch this short video from a staff person in our Israel office. It depicts the emotional return after months serving in Gaza of the security guard whowork at her children’s school.
  • At least 134 hostages remain in Gaza, and according to most estimates, close to 100 are still alive. Read some of their stories here:
  • Daniel Perez was last seen and heard from on the morning of October 7. The 22-year-old resident of the community of Yad Binyamin in central Israel is the son of Rabbi Doron Perez, the head of the World Mizrachi movement. Daniel is an active runner, athlete, and ardent supporter of the Liverpool soccer team. His family has organized a weekly run where supporters show their solidarity with the family and implore that Daniel be released.
  • Amiram Cooper, an 85-year-old grandfather of nine, is one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. His wife Nurit was one of the first hostages released in a deal. He is a poet and composer and is described as a lover of peace and a man of ideas. On the 25th anniversary of the kibbutz’s founding in 1980, he composed a poem entitled Love Song.
  • Kaid Farhan Elkadi lives in a Bedouin community in southern Israel. On the morning of October 7, he was abducted from Kibbutz Magen where he was guarding a packaging facility. The 53-year-old is married and is the father of 11 children.
  • Edan Alexander is a 19-year-old lone soldier who was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. After high school, he returned to Israel to join the Golani Brigade of the IDF. He is an avid swimmer and loves Thai and Japanese foods. His mother says that he is “a great all-American kid." He had plans to attend college in the United States and study business.
  • Noa Argamani is a dual Israeli and Chinese citizen who was kidnapped while attending the Supernova music festival with her boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also taken captive. She is a student at Ben Gurion University. A video taken in the immediate aftermath of her kidnapping has been widely circulated and shows Noa yelling, “Don’t Kill Me!” Noa’s mother Liora is suffering from terminal brain cancer and has pleading for her daughter’s release. She wrote to President Biden in December, "All that’s running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time.”
  • Alex Danzig (Dancyg) is a 75-year-old father and grandfather. Born in Warsaw after the Holocaust, he is a dual citizen of Poland and Israel. He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. A Holocaust scholar and historian at Yad Vashem, he has won awards from the government of Poland for his educational work bringing together Israeli and Polish children to learn about the Holocaust. A campaign called “StandwithAlex” calling attention to his captivity has been spray-painted in public spaces in Warsaw. Danzig requires medication for a heart condition.
  • Doron Steinbrecher is a 30-year-old veterinary nurse who was kidnapped from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. At 10:30 in the morning of October 7, she sent a message to friends saying, “They’ve arrived. They have me.” Doron has a wide smile that radiates warmth and love. She requires daily medication.
  • Orión Hernández Radoux is a 31-year-old Mexican and French citizen who was attending the music festival with his girlfriend, Shani Louk, who was later found dead. He was in Israel as a tourist at the time he was taken captive. He is described as “a man of music and festivals, love and family, adventure and peace.” His young daughter is eagerly awaiting her father’s return.

Further Reading

 

 

Jewish Federations Resources

 

  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • LGBQT Community
  • Young Children
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • The Biden Administration has issued a new executive order to impose sanctions against four Israelis it said had committed violence in the West Bank. See this Jewish Federations’ backgrounder for more information.
  • Convening on the Future of Israel Educational Travel: The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), the consortium of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations housed at Jewish Federations of North America, will hold a convening in Washington, DC from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1 to assess the future of the field of Israel educational immersive travel in the wake of 10/7. We welcome all Federation professionals who are involved with Israel-immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information, take a look at the FAQs or contact Melody.Desanto@jfna.org for more information.
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important information to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: February 8, 2024

Jewish Federations and Partners

  • Join Jewish Federations tomorrow, Friday, February 9 at noon ET for a special briefing for advocacy leaders with exclusive updates on aid to Israel, the significant congressional developments of the past week, and the adoption of the IHRA definition to protect communities and colleges. Register here.
  • Join the Jewish Agency for Israel’s webinar - Navigating Crisis: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the War with Hamas & the Road to a Brighter Future; Introduction by Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Major General (Res.) Doron Almog. Monday, February 12, 2024 at 12:30 pm ET. Register here.
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important FAQ’s to help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and those looking for a longer experience in Israel. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • Staff Sgt. (res.) Hanan Drori, 26, died from a fungal infection after being seriously injured in Gaza, bringing the total of troops killed in the ground offensive against Hamas to 227(and to 563 since the outbreak of war). See Drori’s story here and details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the country last night. In his comments he said, “Peace and security require total victory over Hamas. We cannot accept anything else…. Without total victory Iran and its terror proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others—will be emboldened to subvert moderate states in the Middle East; they’ll threaten the entire free world….Only total victory will prevent that…. Total victory over Hamas will not take years. It will take months. Victory is within reach.” Watch his full remarks here.
  • The IDF uncovered a strategic tunnel under the city of Khan Younis that was used to hide high-ranking members of the organization and to hold hostages. The tunnel is believed to have held twelve hostages at various times, three of whom were released two months ago. During searches, several rooms were discovered inside the underground complex, including a barred cell where hostages were held, a bathroom, and a rest area used by terrorists holding the hostages. Additionally, intelligence materials and weapons belonging to Hamas were found. IDF Intelligence estimates suggest millions of dollars were invested in the construction of the facility, which is part of an intricate and interconnected underground network. It was linked to another tunnel where additional hostages were held. See video footage as well as photos of the findings.
  • Israel’s Government and the IDF are working on a plan that will see a lengthening of compulsory military service as well as reserve duty days, as a result of the war. Military service for males (and some females) will be extended from 32 to 36 months, and the age when males will no longer have to perform reserve duty will be changed from 40 to 45 for enlisted soldiers, (and up to the age of 50 for officers). 
  • Khan Younis in southern Gaza has been the site of the war’s heaviest fighting in recent weeks. Dozens of terrorists, including high-ranking commanders, have been killed in targeted airstrikes and close-quarters combat. The IDF continues to uncover tunnels, weapons stores and other munitions aimed at killing Israelis. Military analysts have said that defeating Hamas in southern Gaza is key to defeating the terrorist organization and to removing its threat to Israel and the greater region. Some background:
  • The IDF has dismantled hundreds of Hamas posts in Khan Younis including a military intelligence building, tunnel shafts, launch pads for firing rockets, a rocket manufacturing facility, communications posts and offices of many senior officials.
  • Over the weekend, IDF troops raided the main headquarters of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. The complex, known as the Al-Qadsia Outpost, also housed the office of Muhammad Sinwar, a senior Hamas military commander and the brother of the terror group’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. The outpost included a training ground of model targets (including mock entrances to Israeli communities), IDF bases, and military vehicles, all of which were used by Hamas to do simulations and to prepare for the October 7 massacres.
  • IDF discoveries in Khan Younis continue to reveal Hamas’s strategy of hiding behind human shields. The IDF uncovered an extensive tunnel system where Israeli hostages were held that was built under civilian infrastructure. Hamas terrorists continue to operate from and around Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals and launched a rocket from within Nasser Hospital. Terrorist infrastructure and weapons have been uncovered in the vicinity of schools and mosques, and Hamas terrorists have been found hiding within civilian shelters.
  • The IDF established a humanitarian corridor from the city that was used by 120,000 Palestinians to evacuate to safer areas. The IDF identified 500 terror suspects hiding within the civilian population who were handed over for questioning. Field hospitals donated by Jordan and the UAE are operating in Khan Younis.

Hostages

 

  • According to a report in the New York Times, Israel believes that 32 out of the 136 hostages are dead. In Israel, a careful process exists for declaring the death of a soldier where there is no body. The decision is assigned to a special committee made up of representatives of the IDF, the Ministry of Health, the Chief Rabbinate, medical personnel and others. According to the media, there are a further twenty hostages where insufficient evidence is available to make a clear determination. In the event that these people have also perished, then only 84 of the hostages remain alive.
  • Meanwhile, it is understood that Hamas has issued a counter-proposal to a possible hostage deal being suggested by Qatar, Egypt and the US (to which Israel responded positively). According to many reports, Hamas has now proposed:
  • In Phase One, all women, children, elderly, the injured, and female soldiers (35 in total) would be released in exchange for one day of ceasefire per hostage plus ten days of ceasefire for negotiations. In addition, Israel would release 1,500 prisoners, 500 of whom would be chosen by Hamas (and would include some terror “heavyweights” such as those serving time for murdering Israelis, as well as those who participated in the October 7 massacres). Hamas is also demanding that the IDF withdraws its forces from the centers of cities in Gaza and that humanitarian aid to the Strip is doubled.
  • In Phase Two, all remaining hostages would be released in exchange for a further 45 days of ceasefire, a large number of Hamas prisoners freed, and the IDF would redeploy all forces outside the Gaza Strip.
  • In Phase Three, all bodies of Israelis would be returned in exchange for the bodies of Hamas terrorists; there would also be a third period of 45 days of ceasefire. A permanent arrangement for Gaza would also be negotiated. Israel is reportedly willing to consider allowing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to leave Gaza alive and go into exile as part of a deal.
  • It is clear that Israel will not accept all of these conditions; however, negotiations continue.

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low. In the last two weeks, it has averaged just one or two per day.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. Today, three soldiers were injured (one seriously) when terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at the city of Kiryat Shmone.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.

 

International Response

 

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began the second day of his seventh wartime visit to Israel. He met with war cabinet ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot today and then with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
  • Yesterday, Blinken met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other leaders. Read the full text of his remarks in Jerusalem yesterday, here.

 

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations

 

  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • LGBQT Community
  • Young Children
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide; and has allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • The Biden Administration has issued a new executive order to impose sanctions against four Israelis it said had committed violence in the West Bank. See this Jewish Federations’ backgrounder for more information.
  • Convening on the Future of Israel Educational Travel: The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), the consortium of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations housed at Jewish Federations of North America, will hold a convening in Washington, DC from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1 to assess the future of the field of Israel educational immersive travel in the wake of 10/7. We welcome all Federation professionals who are involved with Israel-immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information, take a look at the FAQs or contact Melody.Desanto@jfna.org for more information.
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Update: February 5, 2024

Jewish Federations and Partners

 

  • The Biden Administration has issued a new executive order to impose sanctions against four Israelis it said had committed violence in the West Bank. See this backgrounder for more information.
  • Registration for Birthright Israel’s summer round is now open. See this link for important information that will help potential participants and their parents navigate any concerns over the security situation. Interested parties can reserve their spot hereRegistration is also open for Onward’s summer internships and fellowship programs – an opportunity for Birthright Israel alumni and others looking for a longer experience in Israel. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • An additional IDF soldier fell in battle in Gaza yesterday, bringing total IDF losses since the start of the ground operation to 225, and since the outbreak of war to 561. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • Israeli troops killed dozens of Palestinian terrorists in battles throughout the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours. In Khan Younis, which has been the site of the heaviest fighting in recent weeks, dozens of terrorists were killed in airstrikes and close-quarters combat. The IDF also uncovered weapons stores, including rockets, assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades, and magazines.
  • Over the weekend, IDF troops raided the main headquarters of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade, used by the terror group for training ahead of October 7. The complex, known as the Al-Qadsia Outpost, also housed the office of Muhammad Sinwar, a senior Hamas military commander and the brother of the terror group’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. The outpost included a training ground of model targets (including mock entrances to Israeli communities), IDF bases, and military vehicles, all of which were used by Hamas to simulate and prepare for the October 7 attacks.

Hostages

 

  • Reports suggest that Israel has accepted a hostage-release agreement, but that Hamas has not given its approval. According to some sources, under the first stage of the emerging agreement, Hamas would release some 40 hostages comprised of children, women, the elderly, and those with major injuries. In return, Israel would agree to a six-week ceasefire and would release thousands of Hamas terrorists, including those serving time for murdering Israelis, from prison.
  • It is believed that 136 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of at least 29 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Since 2014, Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, as well as of two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.
  • Meanwhile, superstar singer and social media influencer Montana Tucker, who traveled to Israel after October 7, walked the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night in a dress meant to call attention to the Israelis who remain hostages in Gaza. In a nod to the 253 hostages taken captive by Hamas Tucker’s dress featured a large yellow ribbon at its center.

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low. In the last two weeks, it has averaged just one or two per day. Watch this troubling video of the immediate aftermath of a rocket strike in Ashkelon.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. Hezbollah by the numbers:
  • 2,000 rockets and dozens of anti-tank guided missiles and drones fired at Israel since October 8.
  • 80,000 residents of communities along the northern border evacuated.
  • 430 homes on the border were damaged by Hezbollah attacks.
  • 3 IDF divisions deployed along the border have responded with defensive and offensive operations.
  • 3,400 Hezbollah targets have been struck, and 200 terrorists targeted, with hits on 150 terror cells and 120 Hezbollah observation posts.
  • 40 weapon stores have been struck along with 40 command and control centers.

 

  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.
  • Background: Hamas launched the first rocket attacks from Gaza in 2002. Since then, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups have been launching rockets and other projectiles from the Gaza Strip as a means of imposing physical and emotional terror on the people of Israel. The only reason the devastation from the rockets is not far worse is thanks to the critical investment in the Iron Dome defense system. Some further background:
  • Since 2022, the intensity of fire from Gaza has increased, with the most affected target being the town of Sderot, whose border is located under one mile from the Gaza Strip. Over the years, the rockets became more sophisticated with capabilities of reaching much deeper into Israel. Before October 7, approximately 20,000 rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza.
  • Since October 7, over 12,000 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. The attacks have directly killed 15 people and injured hundreds more. Attacks have been launched from civilian infrastructure, including safe zones the IDF set up for humanitarian purposes.
  • The constant rocket fire has had devastating mental health effects on Israelis, especially residents of southern communities. The Sderot Foundation has reported that 90% of the city’s residents, including 70 percent of the city’s children. The scope of the October 7th attacks and the resulting war have been linked to a nationwide massive increase in PTSD and other emotional disorders, including depression and anxiety.
  • The IDF has identified that between 10-20% of rockets launched from Gaza misfire, causing harm and sometimes death to Palestinians, such as the case of a failed rocket that hit a Palestinian hospital complex early in the war – an event that media initially blamed widely on Israel.
  • The recording of our webinar with international law experts is available. In addition, Professor Arthur Van Coller, a South African law professor, issued a report on Hamas's use of Qassam rockets that found that "directing unguided rockets toward a densely populated urban area amounts to an unacceptable level of recklessness and risk to the civilian population…The use of [these] rockets implicates the customary international law prohibition against indiscriminate attacks.”
  • Since its development, Iron Dome, as well as other missile and rocket defense systems, have been critical to Israel’s defense. The IDF has stated that the Iron Dome has a remarkable over 90% success rate and has shot down thousands of rockets that were fired indiscriminately at civilian populations. A complete battery costs approximately $100 million to produce, and each interceptor costs approximately $50,000.

International Response

 

  • US President Joe Biden has urged senators to vote for a $118 billion bipartisan national security deal. The package includes new border enforcement policy as well as wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies; and earmarks $14 billion in military aid to the Jewish state. Biden said that the agreement “provides Israel what they need to protect their people and defend itself against Hamas terrorists,” and “life-saving humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.”
  • The House has now introduced its own, $17.6 billion standalone bill for aid to Israel; this is likely to set up a clash between the two chambers. 
  • Jewish Federations support passing emergency funding for Israel as quickly as possible. Last week, 400 Federation leaders met with dozens of Members of Congress on Capitol Hill, urging them to hasten the passage of this lifesaving aid.
  • US special envoy Amos Hochstein was in Israel over the weekend for talks with Israeli leaders on an emerging framework to push Hezbollah back from Israel’s northern border. According to unconfirmed media reports, Hochstein has conveyed signs of a possible diplomatic solution that would lead to Hezbollah's moving back from the border. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant continued to warn Hezbollah that Israel has considerable capabilities to strike the Lebanese terror group that have not yet been used.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

  • War diary: An IDF reservist reflects on his company’s 100 days of war
  • In a speech at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. referred to the 360 Israelis gunned down at the Nova music festival on October 7. Mason said, “Music must always be our safe space. When that’s violated, it strikes at the very core of who we are. We felt that at the Bataclan Music Hall in Paris. We felt that at the Manchester Arena in England. We felt that at the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas. And on October 7, we felt that again when we heard the tragic news from the Supernova Music Festival for Love, that over 360 music fans lost their lives, and another 40 were kidnapped…That day and all the tragic days that have followed have been awful for the world to bear as we mourn the loss of all innocent lives.”
  • 'Emily has code words for Gaza captivity,' her father, Thomas Hand, told media. At one point, Thomas recounted, a terrorist told the then-eight-year-old Emily: “Uskut” [Arabic for be quiet] or I’ll kill you with this knife.” Read more here.

 

Further Reading

 

  • Yisrael Beteinu leader Avigdor Liberman on What should happen next.”
  • Newsweek op-ed by urban warfare expert Major John Spencer, “Israel Implemented More Measures to Prevent Civilian Casualties Than Any Other Nation in History.”
  • London-based Iranian opposition figure: 'Attack the head of the octopus' - It's time to confront Iran directly.
  • El Hassan bin Talal, member of the Jordanian royal family: A Middle East ParadoxThe Palestinian-Israeli conflict has never been more dire—or riper for resolution.
  • The Israel Democracy Institute writes about the unique role played by former Israeli Supreme Court President Justice Aharon Barak, who serves as an ad hoc judge on the ICJ panel. IDI’s Prof. Suzie Navot explains how Justice Barak’s powerful evocation of Israeli suffering against the backdrop of his history as a Holocaust survivor, along with his insistence on focusing on the horrors endured by Israelis that led to this war, affected the proceedings.
  • Opinion: Target the Iranian Regime

Jewish Federations

 

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide and has allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • Convening on the Future of Israel Educational Travel: The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), the consortium of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations housed at Jewish Federations of North America, will hold a convening in Washington, DC from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1 to assess the future of the field of Israel educational immersive travel in the wake of 10/7. We welcome all Federation professionals who are involved with Israel-immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information, consult the  FAQs or contact Melody.Desanto@jfna.org for more information.
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data and the allocations processes.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project; also see this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations of North America’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: February 1, 2024

Jewish Federations And Partners

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a new update that provides insight into Federations’ emergency allocations to Israel's LGBTQ community since October 7.
  • The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), a collective of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations, programs, and philanthropies housed at the Jewish Federations of North America, is spearheading a vital reimagining of Israel educational travel in response to the events of October 7. Leaders, experts, practitioners, and stakeholders will convene in Washington, DC from February 28-March 1 to reassess and revitalize the field. We welcome all professionals involved with Israel’s immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information about the Convening, take a look at the FAQs or contact ieta@jewishfederations.org.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • Four IDF soldiers fell in battle yesterday, bringing total IDF losses since the start of the ground operation to 227; the total since the outbreak of the war is 561. For information on the four, see here. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • Heavy fighting is continuing in the largest city in the Gaza Strip's south, Khan Younis, with the IDF striking at Hamas targets engaging terrorists in combat and locating weapons. The IDF said it eliminated several Hamas terrorists in close-encounter combat in heavily built-up areas. Other units fought in the north and center of the Strip and also conducted operations in the center of Gaza City. In the past 24 hours, dozens of terrorists have been eliminated, according to the IDF.
  • Meanwhile, the IDF is continuing to fight close to the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border although, according to many reports, an IDF move into the city is not on the immediate horizon, even as Israel has made some progress in negotiations with Egypt over the issue.
  • The IDF continues to make headway at destroying Gaza's tunnels. Current estimates suggest that there are over 450 miles of tunnels under Gaza with at least 5,700 entrance shafts. The entire New York subway system is just 245 miles in total. While dozens of tunnels, and hundreds of shafts, have been destroyed (including some that the IDF has flooded, see details here), many remain operational.

Hostages

 

  • Ongoing reports suggest that a new hostage deal may be close. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council in New York yesterday, “Hamas now has a choice to make. It can continue to dig tunnels, to plan for its next attack, to use civilians and civilian infrastructure as human shields, or Hamas can lay down its weapons and accept the proposal on the table to release every hostage."
  • According to some reports, under the first stage of an emerging agreement, Hamas would release some 40 hostages comprised of children, women, the elderly, and those with major injuries. In return, Israel would agree to a six-week ceasefire and would release thousands of Hamas terrorists from prison, including those serving time for murdering Israelis.
  • Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with relatives of some of the hostages on Wednesday in Jerusalem, where he said, "We are making every effort. The more public this effort is, the more distant it is. The more discreet it is, the greater are its chances for success.”
  • A new military order declaring a Closed Military Zone, has stopped activists and relatives of hostages who protested for eight straight days near the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the Gaza Strip, aiming to block trucks with humanitarian aid from entering. Instead, the protestors moved to the Ashdod Port, trying to prevent ships carrying aid from entering Israel. In a statement, they said, “There is no logic in having the (aid) enter directly into the hands of Hamas terrorists… No aid should pass until the last of the hostages returns.”
  • It is believed that 136 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of at least 29 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who entered the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

 

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low. In the last two weeks, it has averaged just one or two per day.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. Israel's Defense Ministry said today that 427 houses of northern residents have sustained structural damage by Hezbollah rockets and anti-tank missiles since October. Some 80 of the houses have experienced direct hits and thus much greater damage. Around 80,000 northern residents evacuated their homes in October under fire by Hezbollah once the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza started. See this infographic.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

International Response

 

  • US President Joe Biden signed an executive order Thursday that could pave the way for sanctions on Israeli vigialente violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The State Department was expected to announce the first four targets of the order Thursday. U.S. officials said they were not targeting members of the Israeli government accused of inciting violence, and the government has in the past distanced itself from the small minority of settlers who took part in what it called vigilantism, hooliganism, or people's attempts to take the law into their own hands. The move follows a round of visa bans the U.S. began imposing in December on people involved in such acts. For more, see here.
  • President Biden also said today that he is working “day and night” to free hostages held in Gaza and bring peace to the region. “Not only do we pray for peace, but we are actively working for peace, security, dignity for the Israeli people, and the Palestinian people.”
  • Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with a delegation of ambassadors to the UN, from Malta, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Sierra Leone. “I think it's time that the international community and the UN itself understand that UNRWA's mission has to end," he said. "UNRWA is …self-perpetuating also in its desire to keep alive the Palestinian refugee issue. And we need to get other UN agencies and other aid agencies replacing UNRWA if we're going to solve the problem of Gaza as we intend to do... UNRWA is infiltrated with Hamas.” Watch the footage here.
  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the UN Security Council’s recently appointed Gaza coordinator, Sigrid Kaag, on Wednesday to discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts and post-conflict reconstruction strategies in the Gaza Strip. Kaag was appointed to head the Security Council’s mission to Gaza after a resolution was passed in late December mandating that more aid enter the enclave.
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards have removed many of their senior officers from Syria due to a spate of Israeli strikes in the country and will rely more on allied Shi'ite militia to preserve their influence there.
  • A group of 67 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in US federal court on Wednesday to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for the October 7 Massacre.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • Watch this story of a Beduin family from Israel's south who are among the hostages held by Hamas.
  • Rivka Ben Horin, 74, and Yossi Gross, 75: A couple who found love again and were murdered in their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.
  • See this video of Elad, a manager at the Keter Plastics Factory returning to his job, and watch this moving video about soldiers returning home from Gaza.

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations Resources

 

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide; and has allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more about this data, and the allocations processes.
  • Last week, Jewish Federations also held a webinar on the unprecedented legal, ethical, and humanitarian challenges faced by Israel in conducting an urban war. For a recording, click here. Also, to watch the inspiring four-minute 2018 video by Koolulalm that was shared after the program, click here.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: See here for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday and Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.



For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations of North America’s Dani Wassner at dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: January 30, 2024

The Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), a collective of over 100 Israel educational travel organizations, programs, and philanthropies housed at the Jewish Federations of North America, is spearheading a vital reimagining of Israel educational travel in response to the events of October 7. Leaders, experts, practitioners, and stakeholders will convene in Washington, DC (Feb. 28-March 1) to reassess and revitalize the field. We welcome all professionals involved with Israel’s immersive experiences to participate. Register here. For more information about the Convening, take a look at the FAQs or contact ieta@jewishfederations.org.

 

Jewish Federations and Partners

 

  • Join Jewish Federations partner, JDC, tomorrow, to hear firsthand updates on their recent work in Israel and other regions in need. JDC Global Briefing - January 31 at 12 pm ETRegister here.
  • Last Friday, the International Court of Justice in the Hague declined to call on Israel to end its military operations against Hamas and called for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages, but also said that Israel must “take steps to prevent genocide” in Gaza. To read Jewish Federations’ response to the ruling, click here, and see additional talking points hereClick here for additional information Jewish Federations has prepared on the ruling. 
  • Read this CNN story about Ukrainian teenagers who sought refuge from war in Israel at Jewish Federations’ partner World ORT’s youth village. The young people have now been caught up in the “horrors of Hamas’ attack.”
  • Jewish Federations recently released the Israel Emergency Impact Report & resource package to articulate the system-wide impact in Israel since 10/7. Watch a recent webinar (recording here) to learn more both about this data and about the details of the allocations processes.
  • Last week, Jewish Federations also held a webinar on the unprecedented legal, ethical, and humanitarian challenges faced by Israel in conducting an urban war. For a recording, click here. Also, to watch the inspiring four-minute 2018 video by Koolulalm that was shared after the program, click here.

The Latest Numbers: Israel At War

 

  • 779 civilians were killed (five on the northern border, the rest in the Gaza region)
  • 557 Israeli soldiers killed (220 since ground operations began) – thirteen were killed in the north and the rest in and around Gaza.
  • 132 Israelis still in captivity
  • 15,500 Israelis wounded
  • 218,000 Israelis are internally displaced (138,000 of these are from the south, the rest from the north).
  • 11,000 rockets were fired at Israel (9,000 from Gaza, 2,000 from Lebanon, and around 30 from Syria. The Houthis in Yemen have launched 37 attacks, not all of them against Israel).
  • The IDF has killed around 10,000 Hamas terrorists and some 175 Hezbollah terrorists.

Hostages

 

  • Ongoing reports suggest that a new hostage deal may be close. Under the first stage of an agreement, Hamas would release some 40 hostages comprised of children, women, the elderly, and those with major injuries. In return, Israel would agree to a six-week ceasefire and would release thousands of Hamas terrorists from prison, including those serving time for murdering Israelis. For more information, click here.
  • Over the weekend, Hamas released a video showing three of the women they have kidnapped. As always, Israeli media did not broadcast the footage, to avoid playing a role in what is seen as Hamas’ psychological warfare.
  • Activists and relatives of hostages have protested for eight straight days near the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the Gaza Strip, aiming to block trucks with humanitarian aid from entering. In a statement, they said, “There is no logic in having the trucks enter directly into the hands of Hamas terrorists… No aid should pass until the last of the hostages returns.”
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of at least 28 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014. Two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

 

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low. Despite this a barrage of eleven rockets was fired yesterday at cities in Israel’s center, including Tel Aviv, causing millions of Israelis to flee to shelters, but no serious damage or injuries.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

UNRWA

 

  • The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a UN body that was created in 1950 to provide services to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. According to the UN, due to the “absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem,” the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed the Agency’s mandate, most recently in June of 2023. Throughout much of its existence, and particularly in recent years, UNRWA has faced serious allegations of working with terrorist groups and of falling under the influence of Hamas. In the past few days, startling and damning discoveries have been made of participation by UNRWA employees to the October 7 massacres.
  • In 2015, a report by UN Watch detailed 12 separate Facebook accounts operated by UN officials openly inciting antisemitism and terrorism. Teachers in UNRWA schools have repeatedly issued terror-supporting statements against Israel and Jews, and the curriculum taught in UNRWA schools has been exposed for glorifying terrorists and inciting murder and violence.
  • UNRWA facilities located within the Gaza Strip have often been used by Hamas for military purposes. While the Agency has openly condemned these actions, evidence has been uncovered showing that UNRWA buildings continue to be used to hide Hamas equipment.
  • In the wake of October 7, Israeli intelligence uncovered evidence of UNRWA workers who were directly involved in the attacks. The New York Times detailed the involvement of 12 employees, which included kidnapping a woman, handing out ammunition, and taking part in the Kibbutz Be’eri massacre where 97 people were brutally murdered. The employees received UNRWA salaries for their work as teachers and in social work and logistics.
  • Today the Wall Street Journal reported that that some 1,200 UNRWA employees based in Gaza have ties to Islamic terror groups.
  • In the wake of the revelations, as of writing, 17 bodies that fund the Agency’s operations have announced that they will freeze their financing, amounting to 73% of UNRWA’s total 2022 budget of $1.6 billion. These bodies include the United States, Canada, Germany, and the European Commission.
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified by the accusations."
  • The US State Department also responded to the allegations, saying that the United States is “extremely troubled." They called for accountability for anyone who was involved in the massacres byh Hamas.
  • Foreign Policy Advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister Ophir Falk spoke with CNN about the abundance of evidence that UNRWA staffers were involved with the attacks; he called for “an in-depth investigation.”

 

International Response

 

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel tomorrow, for his seventh visit since October 7.
  • Pramila Patten, the UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict, arrived in Israel to investigate a wave of allegations of Hamas sexual violence on October 7, and “identify avenues for support.” In a message to victims, Patten said: “Please come forward, please break your silence, because your silence will be the license of those perpetrators. My team and I, are here to listen to you in all safety and confidentiality. I’m here for a week, I’m prepared to meet you in a safe and enabling environment and to listen to your stories. The world needs to know what happened on October 7.”
  • Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan is bringing a delegation of nine ambassadors to the UN on a trip to Israel this week. The delegation will arrive later today for a tour, hosted by Erdan, of areas in southern Israel, which were attacked by Hamas on October 7. The group will also meet with released hostages, as well as with the families of those still held captive in Gaza and survivors of massacres. During their trip, the ambassadors — who are from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Liberia, Sierra Lione, Malta, and Slovenia, and other nations — will also be briefed on the latest Israeli findings regarding the allegations against UNRWA.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • Watch CNN’s story of 46-year-old Omri Miran, shiatsu healer, husband to Lishay, and father to two-year-old Roni and nine-month-old Alma. He has so far spent 116 days in Hamas captivity. During this time, he has missed his wife’s birthday, Alma’s first time standing up, and Roni’s first day of school. Every night Roni asks where her father is and why he has not yet been found.
  • Kfar Aza’s first two returnees hope to forge a path of renewal.
  • Read about Sg. Maj. (res.) Reouven Chicheportiche, 38, was killed in battle against Hamas terrorists in Moshav Pri Gan on October 7, 2023. He is survived by his wife Sofia, their children, Be’er, Shaked, Eitan Chaim, and Sinai, as well as his parents and five siblings. He was born in France and in 1992 made aliya as a child with his family.

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations

 

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide; and has allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Monday andThursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.



For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations’ Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: January 25, 2024

Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a new backgrounder that details our emergency allocations in the area of Young Children.

 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • With the death of 21 IDF soldiers on Tuesday, Israel suffered its worst loss of life incident since October 7. The troops came under attack in the southern Gaza Strip when an explosion destroyed two buildings with soldiers inside them. The buildings, close to the border with Israel, were being rigged for demolition by IDF troops when Palestinian gunmen fired an RPG at a tank securing the forces. A second blast then occurred in the buildings, possibly as a result of a second RPG, leading to their collapse. The soldiers were destroying structures and Hamas sites as part of the army’s efforts to establish a buffer zone to allow residents of Israeli border communities to return to their homes. See the names of all 21 who fell, as well as the reactions of Israeli leaders here.
  • While fighting has subsided in much of the Gaza Strip, large battles continue in the city of Khan Younis where many believe that the hostages, as well as senior Hamas leadership, are located. The IDF killed dozens of terrorists in the city during raids on military sites, uncovered tunnels, and eliminated terror cells. Earlier today, troops in the area killed numerous terrorists in the area by sniper fire and also destroyed terror infrastructure and weapons.
  • Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday with newly graduating IDF commanders, and discussed reports in the media that victory in Gaza was “not achievable.” In response, he said, “My main expectation is nothing less than total victory. There is no substitute for victory. I hear in the studios, analysts, and all kinds of commentators: 'It is impossible' and 'It is not necessary.' It is possible and it is necessary, neither do we have a choice. Total victory. These monsters will be thoroughly defeated to the end.…What is important, in my view, is your spirit. Your spirit is the spirit of the people of Israel, of the citizens of Israel. I want you to know that I rely on you and I believe in you.... [E]ach one of you carries on your shoulders the destiny of the people of Israel and the State of Israel.”

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low; it has not exceeded ten rockets in over a week. Today, the first rockets were fired in four days. They caused neither damage nor injuries.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. According to many reports, in response, the IDF has killed numerous senior Hezbollah and Iranian figures in both Lebanon and Syria. Israel has not confirmed that it was responsible for those attacks.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

Hostages

 

  • For the second straight day, protesters, including relatives of hostages held in Gaza, have gathered at the Kerem Shalom crossing to try to prevent relief trucks from entering the Strip; they are demanding that aid be cut off until the captives are freed.
  • Conflicting reports suggest that Israel and Hamas could be on the verge of a new deal that would see a staggered release of hostages alongside a break in fighting for two months, as well as a mass release of Palestinian prisoners. However, other reports deny that such a deal is close.
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere, has confirmed the deaths of at least 28 of them, Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

International Response

 

  • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Netherlands plans to issue its ruling in open court on Friday at 7 am ET on South Africa’s request that it order Israel to stop its war in Gaza. See more here.
  • Meanwhile, new evidence has revealed what appears to be a network of several South African organizations and straw-man companies that are deeply involved with funding Hamas activities through the Al-Quds Foundation, an international group that has been both sanctioned by the US and outlawed by Israel. They are using accounts registered in major local South African banks, including Standard Bank, Nedbank, and Absa.
  • British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Prime Minister Netanyahu that more aid trucks must be able to enter Gaza and that an immediate humanitarian pause is needed to help those who are now trapped in a “desperate situation.” Cameron, who is presently on a visit to the Middle East, during which he has met separately with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, announced that Britain and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza. They are sending an initial joint consignment of tents; they are being flown into Egypt today before traveling by road to Gaza.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • “No one recognized me,’ Fauda actor Idan Amedi said as he was released from hospital following the severe injuries he sustained in Gaza.
  • “It could have been us.” Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg fight for the release of their son Hersh, who was badly injured before being taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. Watch here.
  • Noa Farage, 22: Surfer who was ‘the most magical person’

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide; and has allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • As reported in eJP, Jewish Federations have launched a new fund to help small business owners affected by the war in Gaza.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: January 22, 2024

Jewish Federations



  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now surpassed $775 million system-wide; we have allocated more than $300 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • Jewish Federations joined other major Jewish organizations in speaking out forcefully against the groundless charges of genocide leveled against Israel by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. See this blog post for details, including the letter that was sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
  • Learn more about the insidious myths around the legality of Israel’s war by watching a Jewish Federations’ webinar on Wednesday, January 24 at 1 pm ET with Major John Spencer and expert in the law of armed conflict Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey S. Corn, who have nearly five decades of combined military experience.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • As of today, 195 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground war began in Gaza; a total of 527 have died since October 7. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • As fighting continues in Gaza, troops have discovered another elaborate tunnel system where it has been confirmed that hostages have been held. The IDF has released a video shot inside the tunnel with a camera held by a soldier as he traverses the very long underground structure. The footage includes views of cells where hostages were held.
  • Since the beginning of the war, 12,000 trucks with 1,052 tons of medical equipment have entered Gaza. In coordination with the international community, the IDF continues to facilitate humanitarian and medical assistance efforts for Gazan civilians. See additional details here, as well as here.
  • In line with statements repeatedly stressed by Israel’s political leadership from the onset of the war that the battle is being waged against Hamas and not against the Palestinian people, last week IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari provided an in-depth explanation of efforts made by the military both to prevent civilian casualties and to promote the humanitarian welfare of the Palestinian people. He said, “Hamas sees civilian deaths as a strategy. We see them as a tragedy.”
  • Chief of Staff of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) Omer Tischler addressed claims about civilian deaths by demonstrating how the IAF has conducted “a precise, focused and process-based campaign.” He stressed that evacuation of civilians before attacks allows the IAF to strike and maneuver in areas with minimal civilian presence. He also explained that in war “mistakes can happen,” and the IAF seeks to learn from them. 
  • The IDF has revealed numerous examples of strikes that were aborted due to a heavy presence of civilians in close proximity to the target. 
  • The IDF operates a ‘Civilian Harm Mitigation Unit’ made up of senior IDF commanders, intelligence officers, Arabic-speaking soldiers, legal advisors, and other professionals.  They monitor the implementation of evacuation recommendations, including by using open-source tools and intelligence sources in real time. According to the IDF, “updated data is continuously fed to IDF air, naval, and ground forces operating in Gaza to increase their awareness of the civilian environment in areas of operation. While it is impossible to completely avoid civilian harm for the reasons detailed above, this mechanism has proven effective in the current hostilities and has saved many lives.” 
  • In addition, all military operations carried out by the IDF are coordinated by the Military Advocate General (MAG) Corps, which is responsible for implementing the rules of war within the IDF. Within the MAG, an International Law Department acts “to assist the IDF to achieve its objectives by the law, and specifically international law.” Furthermore, IDF military lawyers are involved in advising commanders on the legal aspects of warfare.  
  • Professor Malcolm Shaw, the legal counsel who defended Israel’s case before the ICJ, explained that in contrast to arguments advanced by South Africa, the operations directorate of the IDF issues a daily operational directive that is binding on all IDF forces. It instructs that “[a]ttacks will be solely directed towards military targets while adhering to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and the obligation taking precautions in attacks to reduce collateral damage. The laws of armed conflict allow destruction to civilian property only when there is a military necessity to do so and prohibit harm to property for deterrence purposes only or the purpose of punishment, individual or collective. It is necessary to treat enemy civilians with respect. They should not be treated in a humiliating manner and civilians should not be used to perform activities that might put them at risk to their life or their body.”  
  • He also gave examples demonstrating the IDF’s compliance with international law in proportionately attacking military personnel and in mitigating civilian harm. To accomplish the latter, the IDF warns civilians of impending action by the extensive use of telephone calls, leafletting, and so forth; these measures are augmented by the facilitation of humanitarian assistance and the establishment of safe zones. 

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low; it has not exceeded ten in over a week.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. In response, according to many reports, the IDF has used targeted strikes to eliminate numerous senior Hezbollah and Iranian figures in both Lebanon and Syria. Israel has, however, not stated publicly that it was responsible for those attacks.
  • In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

Hostages

 

  • Israel and Hamas are reportedly resuming negotiations on a new hostage deal. Hamas is demanding a full withdrawal of all IDF forces from the entire Gaza Strip, the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, and international guarantees that Hamas will be allowed to remain in power in Gaza. Israel has previously said that all of these demands are untenable, but it is nonetheless willing to negotiate.
  • At the same time, thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating daily, calling on the government to compromise and do more to bring the hostages home. Last night, a group of hostages’ families and protesters blocked off traffic outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Jerusalem; they demanded that the government reach an immediate deal to ensure the return of the remaining hostages.
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of at least 28 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Since 2014, Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, as well as those of two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who entered Gaza of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

International Response

 

  • A high-ranking Hamas delegation visited Russia last week. Following the Moscow meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Hamas to release the hostages, including three of whom who hold dual Russian-Israeli citizenship.
  • A report in Lebanese media claims that a European Ambassador of an unnamed country warned the Lebanese government that there is a heightened probability of an Israeli war against Hezbollah given both the large number of attacks that have originated in Lebanon and the fact that Hezbollah is not complying with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. According to reports, the Ambassador told his Lebanese contacts that US and French intervention have so far kept the IDF from launching a full-scale war, but that Israel’s patience is wearing thin. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said last week that if Hezbollah does not comply with Resolution 1701, there may be no option but to use force to compel the terror group to redeploy north of the Litani River as stipulated by the UN. Israel and Western powers are hopeful that the Lebanese government in Beirut will be able to exert pressure on Hezbollah to cease its attacks on the Jewish state and thus avoid a stronger Israeli response.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • As reported last week in eJP, Jewish Federations have launched a new fund to help small business owners affected by the war in Gaza.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Update: January 18, 2024

Jewish Federations

  • Learn more about the insidious myths around the legality of Israel’s war on a Jewish Federations’ webinar on Wednesday, January 24 at 1 pm ET with Major John Spencer and Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey S. Corn, who have nearly five decades of combined military experience. Register here.
  • Join the Jewish Agency for Israel’s webinar with David Makovsky, (Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute) and a renowned scholar and author, exploring the future of the Middle East and Israel going forward after the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the ongoing war. Tomorrow, Friday, January 19 at 11 am ET. Register here.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

 

  • As fighting continues, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “There is only one legal response for actions like those perpetrated on the seventh of October – elimination of the organization…. I hear the rumors [about a hostage exchange deal with Hamas without full victory, but] we will continue fighting until victory. Not near, not almost, not basically - but until we smite the Hamas organization, take away all of its significant military capabilities, and remove it from power in Gaza.”
  • The IDF has reported that the Gaza tunnel network is more extensive than previously thought. Current estimates are that there are over 450 miles of tunnels under Gaza with at least 5,700 entrance shafts. Khan Younis alone has over 100 miles of underground tunnels. (For comparison, the New York subway system is just 245 miles in total).
  • In the last 24 hours of fighting in Gaza, approximately 60 terrorists were killed by the IDF. In the city of Khan Younis, troops carried out a targeted raid at the residence of a known terrorist, where soldiers battled and killed 40 terrorists; they uncovered grenades, AK-47 rifles, military equipment, and technological assets (see photos).
  • In northern Gaza, IDF forces successfully thwarted an ambush planned by two armed terrorists. A series of aerial strikes was conducted to neutralize armed terrorists, including those who were operating in close proximity to a school.

Hamas And Hezbollah

 

  • While Israel seems to have been caught by surprise by the October 7 attacks, leaders of both Hamas and Hezbollah had made their intentions clear for a long time.
  • Hamas senior official Yahya Sinwar, who is the mastermind behind the October 7 massacres, spoke openly about his plans to attack Israel at a rally in Gaza in December of 2022. He said, "We will come to you, God willing, in a roaring flood. We will come to you with endless rockets, we will come to you in a limitless flood of soldiers, we will come to you with millions of our people, like the repeating tide.”
  • Saleh al-Arouri, the most senior Hamas official eliminated in the war to date, spoke to Lebanese TV in August of 2023 saying, “A total war has become inevitable. We all consider it necessary…We are meeting with all the parties that [will take part] in this total war, and we are discussing together the different scenarios and possibilities.”
  • In an interview on a Lebanese broadcast just a few weeks after the massacres, Hamas senior official Ghazi Hamad called the existence of Israel “illogical” and vowed that Hamas would repeat the attacks until the annihilation of Israel. “The Al-Aqsa Flood is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, and a fourth,” he said.
  • In May 2021, senior Hamas official Fathi Hammad said, “The Jews are a treacherous people. There can be no peace with the Jews. There can be no peace with the Zionists. The only thing we have for the Zionists is the sword.”
  • Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has a decades-old history of supporting and advocating for terrorist attacks against Jewish and Western targets.,” If they (Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide.” For over two decades he has long advocated for attacks against America. In 2002 he said, “Our hostility to the Great Satan [America] is absolute… Regardless of how the world has changed after 11 September, Death to America will remain our reverberating and powerful slogan: Death to America.”
  • Last month, Hezbollah official Nawaf Moussawi said, “I have a desire for ground combat that we’ll fight with the Zionist enemy… We have some weapons and can have whatever we want sent to us.”

Rockets

 

  • The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains low.
  • In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets. Yesterday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said that the likelihood that Israel will be drawn into a war in Lebanon is growing. Halevi said that Israel was “increasing readiness for fighting in Lebanon,” even as it seeks to stabilize its northern border and allow tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from the region to return home.
  • In the Red Sea, a rocket was fired at Eilat, presumably by the Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen, for the first time in six weeks. Sirens sounded in the city as the rocket was intercepted by Israel’s air defenses. No damage or injuries were reported.

 

Hostages

 

  • Following negotiations mediated by Qatar and France, Hamas is set to receive medicines for the Israeli hostages today. Two small planes were sent from Qatar to Egypt carrying French medicines based on a prescription list provided by the hostage families for some 45 of those being held by Hamas. The deal entails the entry of 145 types of medicine. In exchange, Hamas will receive 1,000 doses of medicine in exchange for each single dose of medicine for an Israeli hostage. It remains unclear how it will be verified that the medications actually reach the hostages, (and the International Red Cross has said that it is not part of the deal).
  • Israel’s President Isaac Herzog held up a photo of baby-hostage, Kfir Bibas, while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday. Kfir turned one year old in captivity yesterday.
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of at least 27 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas has also been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as of two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Israel’s New Budget

 

  • A new budget for 2024 is likely to be passed in the Knesset in the coming weeks, and must be finalized by February 19. It has already been approved by the Cabinet, although minor changes are still likely.
  • The government had earlier passed a two-year budget for 2023-24, but this needed to be radically revised, due to the significant additional costs of the war and other new priorities.
  • The new budget is for approximately $155 billion, reflecting a rise of $18.5 billion in government spending.
  • It has been estimated that the war has been costing Israel around $250 million per day.
  • The significant increases in spending include:
  • repayment of debts connected to the war;
  • compensation for those impacted by the conflict,
  • higher allocations for healthcare, police, welfare, and education (as a result of the war);
  • future strengthening of the IDF;
  • $2.4 billion to support IDF reservists and their families;
  • funding for the public mental-health system;
  • money for rehabilitating the Gaza border area;
  • support for the hi-tech and real-estate sectors.
  • These increases will be funded by:
  • An increased budget deficit of 6.6% (representing some $5.3 billion)
  • Across the board cuts in the budgets of all ministries
  • Several tax hikes, including on banking profits
  • Politically, it has been difficult for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the agreement of his coalition partners (as well as some of his fellow-Likud ministers) to the vast cuts needed, as many areas that are being slashed are important to the constituents of some parties.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • Read about Tal Maman38, a father and farmer who fought to protect his kibbutz.
  • Watch the story of 79-year-old Avraham Munder, who has been separated from his family for 103 days as he remains in Hamas captivity. A husband, father and grandfather, Avraham is described by loved ones as a modest man with a lovely voice. He works as a warehouse supervisor on Kibbutz Nir Oz and sings in a choir. His son Roi was murdered by terrorists on October 7th, and his wife Ruti, daughter Keren, and grandson Ohad were taken captive; they were later released in a hostage deal.
  • The father of the late Cpl. Adir Tahar, 19, who was killed on October 7, told media that a terrorist from Gaza decapitated his son and later tried to sell his head for $10,000. He added that “by a miracle” it was eventually found by the army and returned to Israel for burial.

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of $768 million system-wide; and has allocated nearly $283 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • As reported last week in eJP, Jewish Federations have launched a new fund to help small business owners affected by the war in Gaza.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to both affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations’ update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: January 17, 2023

Jewish Federations

  • Learn more about the insidious myths around the legality of Israel’s war with Hamas on a Jewish Federations’ webinar on Wednesday, January 24 at 1 pm ET with Major John Spencer and Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey S. Corn, who have nearly five decades of combined military experience. 
  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Impact Package includes comprehensive data and firsthand stories on the impact of Federation dollars during this tragic and tumultuous time.
  • Read Jewish Federations of North America’s President and CEO Eric Fingerhut’s op-ed in the Times of Israel here.
  • As reported last week in eJP, Jewish Federations have launched a new fund to help small business owners affected by the war in Gaza.
  • As part of the Second Line initiative, Jewish Federations are partnering with the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Trauma Coalition, and Birthright Israel to recruit qualified volunteers to provide both in-person and remote support to affected populations and local mental health professionals in Israel. Native Hebrew speakers are particularly in demand, although speakers of French, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, and Spanish will also be considered. Volunteers must be able to travel to Israel for six weeks. This is a golden opportunity for engagement, particularly for communities that can recruit a small group as a cohort. To apply, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Miller.
  • Join the Jewish Agency for Israel’s webinar with David Makovsky, (Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute) and a renowned scholar and author, exploring the future of the Middle East and Israel going forward after the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the ongoing war: Friday, January 19 at 11 am ET. Register here.

The Latest

 

  • As fighting continues, additional IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total to 190 since the ground invasion began, and 524 since October 7. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • terror attack was carried out by two Palestinians in Ra’anana yesterday. A 72-year-old Israeli woman was stabbed to death and 17 others were wounded, several of whom remain in serious condition. The two terrorists, cousins from Hebron, were both apprehended. During the attack, victims were stabbed, their cars stolen, and the vehicles were then used to run down multiple pedestrians.
  • Israel's Finance Ministry has estimated that the war is costing the Israeli economy around $270 million per week. Between October - December, 46,000 workers were either fired or put on leave in Israel. About 760,000 workers (18% of the workforce) were unable to work due to: military reserve duty, displacement from their homes, or because they are single parents.

100 Days Of War: Where Are We Now?

 

  • Most commentators have referred to three main stages of the war:
  • October 7: This happened before the first stage even began. The pre-war stage saw the terrible massacres and continued for several days as the IDF battled the terrorists inside Israeli towns and communities.
  • Stage 1: The first part of the actual war, which saw weeks of targeted bombing by the IDF aimed at destroying some of Hamas' infrastructure, weapons, and tunnels.
  • Stage 2: The ground war, in which Israeli troops entered Gaza in late October to systematically find and destroy Hamas' fighting capabilities.
  • In the first part of Stage 2, troops entered the northern half of the Strip, including Gaza City itself. This mission has largely been completed, and it is estimated that more than half of IDF troops in the area have now left the north of the Strip.
  • In the second part of Stage 2, troops are currently focusing on fighting in the central and southern parts of the Strip, especially in the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.
  • More than 22,000 Hamas sites have been hit in the first two stages. 9,000 Hamas fighters have been killed including two of Hamas’s five brigade-level commanders; and 19 battalion-level commanders (out of a total of 24 battalions).
  • Despite those successes, Hamas’s top leadership in Gaza remains at large.
  • While fighting continues in some parts, including significant battles, from all reports, the intense battles of Stage 2 are drawing to a close and will likely be completed by the end of January.
  • Stage 3: The third stage of the war, which could well last throughout 2024, is starting to take shape. It will likely involve:
  • Lower-intensity fighting (this is already happening in the north of Gaza)
  • The release of significant numbers of Israeli reservists (this is already well underway)
  • Significant anti-insurgency efforts
  • Efforts to find Hamas' top leaders
  • Attempts to secure the remaining hostages
  • The return of Israeli evacuees in the south to their communities, including rebuilding. (This too, is already happening).
  • More than 1,300 Israelis have been killed since October 7, including 522 IDF soldiers. More than 11,000 have been injured.

What's Next for Gaza?



  • We know that intense efforts are underway to lock in a new deal. Mediation is being led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Many factors could go into a new deal including:
  • The return of the hostages
  • The return of bodies, from both sides
  • The release of Hamas prisoners
  • An extended cease-fire
  • Increased aid and other shipments into Gaza
  • The negotiated exile of top Hamas leaders
  • Permission by the IDF for Gazans to return to the northern half of the Strip

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been reduced to a few per day as the fighting has severely restricted Hamas activities. Rockets and launchers have been found and destroyed. Nonetheless, an unusually large barrage of 50 rockets was fired at Israel’s south earlier today; the volley caused damage, but no injuries as the cities where they fell had mostly been evacuated. 
  • In the north, Hezbollah has been slowly increasing its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. Fourteen Israelis have been killed by Hezbollah attacks, and 42 communities remain evacuated. The US and others continue to search for a solution that will avoid an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. Such an agreement could see Hezbollah forces moved away from the border region with Israel, to north of Lebanon's Litani River.
  • In the Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom's militaries continue to shoot down missiles and UAVs fired at Israel and commercial shipping vessels by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. They are also attacking Houthi bases in Yemen itself.

 

Hostages

 

  • In what Israel describes as “cruel, psychological warfare,” on Sunday, Hamas released a video depicting three hostages who call on Israel to halt its war in Gaza. The three are Noa Argamani, 26, who was seen in a video on October 7 being carried off on a motorcycle, Itay Svirsky, 38, who was kidnapped on October 7 as his parents were murdered, and Yossi Sharabi, 53. At the end of the video, a caption reads: “Tomorrow you will know which of them is alive and who is dead.” As always, Israeli media did not air the footage, but did describe the video. Yesterday, Hamas released a follow-up video where Noa Argamani announces that Itay Svirsky and Yossi Sharabi have been killed--presumably executed by Hamas. There is no independent confirmation of the killings.
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of 25 of them, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas has also been holding the remains of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

International Response

 

  • The hearing at the International Court of Justice continues. Some background on the issues:
  • Urban warfare expert Major John Spencer has explained that combat in urban terrain is the “most complex and difficult type of warfare a military can be directed to conduct because of the unique interaction of challenges - the dense physical terrain, the presence of noncombatants, restraints on the use of force required by laws of war, and the ubiquitous and real-time global attention on the conduct of a battle.”
  • He added that this is the first war in history in which a military has faced an “underground world like this,” referring to the 300-mile-long tunnel system Hamas built for terror purposes under civilian infrastructure. He stated, “There’s no military in the world that has faced the challenge Israel is facing right now in the war against Hamas.”
  • Due to the operational challenges urban warfare poses and the intricate tunnel system, fighting in these conditions can require four times as much ammunition, or even more, than in other combat environments.
  • Hamas prevents civilian evacuations, often through gunfire. Coalition fighters faced similar challenges when fighting ISIS in the Battle of Mosul. In that battle, it is estimated that 10,000 civilians were killed. Israel is facing at least six times as many Hamas operatives as ISIS fighters.
  • Colonel Richard Kemp, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan under the British army, explained that the fight against Hamas is likely even more challenging, due to Hamas’s tactics over the past three decades turning a small strip of territory into a terror base.
  • Throughout the war, the IDF has applied tactics to minimize civilian casualty in urban warfare settings, which include dropping 6 million leaflets and issuing 14 million pre-recorded phone calls urging civilians to evacuate ahead of attacks, setting up safe corridors, and involving legal advisors in tactical decisions. Former Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and international law expert Michael Schmitt explained that “The IDF has provided unprecedented warnings throughout the conflict,” which have “exceeded what the law required.”
  • On Thursday, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said, “Israel is operating in an exceptionally challenging environment in Gaza, an urban battlespace where Hamas intentionally embeds itself with and hides behind civilians.” He added “Allegations that Israel is committing genocide are unfounded. It is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews.”

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope



  • Israel readies for the possibility of pregnancies among female hostages raped by Hamas
  • Daniel Perez's absence felt at his brother's wedding after being taken captive.
  • Read the story of 67-year-old Orly and David Schvartzman from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. David worked as an agritech activist and investor and Orly worked as a nursing director at a clinic in the south. The two built a home that was “full of love and family,” with a backyard blooming with flowers and herbs, that was often visited by their four children and ten grandchildren. On October 7, the couple and their dog were slain by Hamas terrorists, and their home and garden were destroyed.
  • Sgt. Reem Batito, 19: Warrior who ‘fought until his last moment’
  • IDF Staff Sgt. Tomer Mizrahi fought against a large number of terrorists on October 7, along with his commander, Roy, who was injured by sniper fire, and his friend, Roni. Roni was saved by Tomer, who shielded him from gunfire. Tomer and Roni dragged their injured commander and protected him from capture. Both Roy and Tomer died in battle, but not before alerting the support team at the base, lookouts, and people of Kibbutz Sufa about the outbreak of the war, thus preventing many additional casualties. Tomer's mother, Sarit, is an academic scholar of Talmud and Law and has begun writing a weekly Dvar Torah in memory of her son; it is now being published in English as well. Click here to join a Whatsapp group to receive the publication weekly.

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of $768 million system-wide; and has allocated nearly $283 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these additional resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.



For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: Janaury 11, 2024

See this latest resource from Jewish Federations, providing valuable insights into the emergency support offered for volunteers.

 

The Latest

 

  • As fighting continues, additional IDF soldiers have been killed, including American-Israeli Yakir Hexter from Jerusalem; bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 188, (and to 520 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers here.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • As fighting continues in Gaza, mainly in the southern city of Khan Younis, troops have discovered a Hamas tunnel where it believes hostages were previously held (see footage here). The tunnel connects to a wide underground network, and the military has now taken journalists from international outlets to see the evidence. The IDF says that so far in the Khan Younis area, troops have uncovered more than 300 tunnel shafts, and more than 100 tunnels have so far been destroyed or rendered inoperable.
  • IDF troops continue to find vast quantities of Hamas weapons inside schools, mosques, and private residences, including inside children's bedrooms (in this case, in a compartment of a baby's crib).
  • The IDF unit overseeing the transport of humanitarian aid into Gaza said yesterday that there are no shortages of food in the Strip and that existing problems were caused by the inability of the United Nations to properly distribute the goods once they entered the enclave.
  • Star singer and “Fauda” actor Idan Amedi, who was seriously injured this week while fighting in Gaza, sent a message to followers Wednesday, saying he was recovering. Amedi said "Thanks to all those who were concerned and sent love. Forget me, I’ll be OK. What’s important is that we stay strong together.’”
  • In the north, in response to ongoing Hezbollah rocket attacks against Israeli targets, Israel has been striking and killing the terror group's leaders. The IDF Spokesman to the Arab media said yesterday that, “Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into an unnecessary war on behalf of Hamas. Hezbollah is looking to escalate the situation despite the damage that this will cause to Lebanese citizens in addition to the hardship they are already suffering. Hezbollah is endangering the future of the region on behalf of Hamas. Our message is clear: Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and the entire region deserve a future of peace, progress, and prosperity and not one of death and destruction brought upon it by Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terror entities.”
  • Hezbollah:
  • Hezbollah is a Shi'ite political and militant group based in Lebanon that was founded in 1982. Its doctrine calls for the destruction of Israel, stating that Israel “is the hated enemy that must be fought until the hated ones get what they deserve.” Among its objectives is “to expel the Americans” from the Middle East.
  • The group was founded by Iran and continues to be funded and operated in very close coordination with Teheran. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries.
  • Hezbollah has been described as “the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, and as “a militia trained like an army and equipped like a state.” It is estimated that the group maintains an arsenal of between 70,000 and 150,000 missiles and rockets, including a small number of precision-guided missiles.
  • In a 2016 speech, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said, “Today Israel has its nuclear bomb. All our rockets plus the ammonia tanks in Haifa result in a nuclear bomb. In a region that populates 800,000 people, a few tens of thousands will be killed.”
  • In a recent video released by Hezbollah simulating an attack on Israelis, the group stated that “[Israel] will disappear where Palestine will remain Arab and dear to its sons.”
  • In the current conflict, the most intense recent wave of attacks occurred last Saturday with a barrage of 62 rockets fired at Israel. The group said that the attacks were in response to the elimination of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon last week.
  • There is tremendous fear among residents of northern communities, which in many cases are even closer to the border fence than along the southern border with Gaza. The threat to the north has forced the evacuation of about 80,000 people.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed Hezbollah this week saying, “I suggest that Hezbollah learn what Hamas has already learned in recent months: No terrorist is immune.”
  • Following the Second Lebanon War, the United Nations passed UN Resolution 1701 which called for the complete cessation by Hezbollah of any attacks on Israel, while Israel is required to cease any offensive measures against Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s actions including attacking Israeli infrastructure are a violation of the Resolution. The Resolution also demands that Hezbollah withdraw its forces over the Litani River, which it has not done.
  • Israel has retaliated by launching counter-strikes on Hezbollah targets in Syria and Lebanon. On Monday it was reported that Wissam al-Tawil, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Rawdan force, was killed by a targeted IDF air strike. Tawil was one of the most senior members of Hezbollah to be eliminated since the war began. Earlier yesterday, it was reported that Hezbollah’s drone chief Ali Hussein Barji, another senior member of the terrorist group, was killed.

ROCKETS

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been reduced to a few per day.
  • In the north, Hezbollah has been slowly increasing its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. On Tuesday, one rocket hit the headquarters of the IDF Northern Command near the city of Safed (Tzfat) causing minor damage. Hezbollah claimed that the attack was in response to targeted killings of its leaders by Israel.
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles and UAVs fired at Israel and commercial shipping vessels by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council demanded an immediate halt to attacks by the rebels in a resolution adopted Wednesday that implicitly condemned Iran. The resolution, sponsored by the United States and Japan, was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions – Russia, China, Algeria, and Mozambique. It condemns “in the strongest terms” at least two dozen attacks carried out by the Houthis on merchant and commercial vessels, which the resolution says are impeding global commerce and undermining navigational freedom.

 

Hostages

 

  • A new Qatari proposal for a ceasefire would see the leaders of Hamas all deported and all of the hostages captured by the terrorist group released in exchange for the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza. If such a proposal were implemented, hostages would be released in stages. Until now, Israel has said that all Hamas leaders would be killed or captured.
  • Religious and secular relatives of Gaza hostages gathered yesterday to sing, pray, and hope for the return of the hostages. A diverse mix came together for a rally in Tel Aviv, serenaded by musicians Idan Raichel and Aharon Razel, to mark the cause that has united Israelis from different worlds.
  • It is believed that 132 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of 25 of these 132, citing intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas is also holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

International Response

 

  • White House special envoy Amos Hochstein will meet with officials in Beirut later today “to advance discussions to restore calm” along the border between Lebanon and Israel, according to a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, amid continued skirmishes between the IDF and Hezbollah.
  • As we reported earlier in the week, Israel found itself in the dock at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague — charged with genocide today.
  • South Africa, who brought the charges, presented opening arguments today, and Israel will respond tomorrow.
  • Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protestors have gathered outside the Court.
  • The Biden Administration has reiterated its opposition to the hearing. US State Department spokesman Matt Miller said, “Allegations that Israel is committing genocide are unfounded. It is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews. Genocide is one of the most heinous acts any entity or individual can commit, and such allegations should only be made with the greatest of care. Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas’ terrorist acts — acts that Hamas has vowed to repeat again and again until Israel is destroyed. Israel is operating in an exceptionally challenging environment in Gaza, an urban battlespace where Hamas intentionally embeds itself with and hides behind civilians.”
  • Read more about the timeline, procedures, and possible implications of the hearings here.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

 

  • Presumed captive: Ohad Yahalomi, shot in the leg by terrorists.
  • The dogs from the IDF's Oketz Dog Unit were given a celebratory meal after three months of hard work in Gaza.
  • See the story of 35-year-old Uriel Baruch, husband of Rachel and father to two children, aged eight and five. He is a fan of techno music and is described by loved ones as “a beautiful soul.” He was last seen with a friend at the Nova rave on October 7. There is still no trace of Uriel, who is presumed to have been taken to Gaza by Hamas terrorists. For three months Uriel’s family has not known whether he is dead or alive.
  • Yesterday a group was traveling to the communities near the Gaza border on a solidarity mission when their bus broke down and was delayed for about 40 minutes. One of the participants visiting from Australia, suddenly received a message that her brother, an IDF lone soldier, had been released on a short break from the fighting in Gaza and was travelling on a bus coming from the opposite direction. The IDF commander and the drivers coordinated a stop, and the brother and sister saw each other again for the first time since Pesach.
  • Read about Orly and David Schvartzman, both 67: Slain in the home they loved.
  • Tal, a soldier fighting in Gaza was injured and was being evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. On the way, he received a phone call from his wife Noy, telling him that she was in labor at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Arrangements were quickly made to evacuate Tal to Hadassa instead. He arrived just in time to witness the birth of his daughteras a patient.

 

Further Reading

 

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of $768 million system-wide; and has allocated over $265 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: January 8, 2024

Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of $768 million system-wide and has allocated over $283 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See a detailed update on allocations here.

 

The Latest Numbers

As we mark three months since the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent war, these are the latest numbers:

 

  • 1,300 Israelis have been killed. Of these:
  • At least 35 were children.
  • 509 were IDF soldiers (and of these, 177 were killed in the ground operation). See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • 14 were in the country’s north.
  • 11,594 Israelis have been injured.
  • An estimated 218,000 Israelis are currently internally displaced, including from 67 towns that have been officially evacuated. (Some 40 of the 67 towns have been permitted to return in the coming days).
  • Around 12,500 rockets (and other projectiles) have been fired at Israel since October 7. Of these:
  • About 10,500 were fired by Hamas and other terrorist groups from Gaza
  • 14 by the Houthi rebels in Yemen
  • 2,000 by Hezbollah from Lebanon and Syria.
  • Thousands of rockets were fired by Hamas on October 7, and hundreds of rockets per day in the weeks that followed. By the week of December 1-7, as IDF ground operations restricted Hamas’ capabilities, the terror group still managed to fire 75 rockets per day, but by December 8-14, the number had dropped to 23. From December 15-27, the average number of rockets dropped to 16 and is now below 10.
  • There are 130 hostages in Gaza, but at least 25 of these are believed to be no longer alive (that number could be much higher). 109 hostages have been released; and the IDF has rescued one hostage, recovered eight bodies, and accidentally killed three hostages.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • The IDF says that it has completed “dismantling Hamas’ military framework” in the northern part of Gaza.
  • Meanwhile, intensive fighting took place in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis overnight, with the Israeli Air Force carrying out strikes on some 30 Hamas targets in the area, including underground sites, weapons depots, and other infrastructure belonging to the terror group. At one point, commando troops spotted a group of more than ten Hamas operatives at a rocket launching site in Khan Younis and directed a drone strike, which killed all ten.
  • Over the weekend, Israel’s security cabinet met to discuss "the day after" the war, for the first time.
  • The IDF Chief of Staff announced that he had appointed former Defense Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz to head an inquiry into the errors made by the IDF leading up to the October attack.

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been reduced to a trickle.
  • In the north, Hezbollah has been slowly increasing its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. Earlier today, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned the Lebanese-based terror group against further escalation, saying that “Israel can easily copy and paste the war in Gaza, to Beirut." Yesterday, Hezbollah anti-tank rockets hit the Israel Air Force’s Meron Air Traffic Control base near the northern border. Nobody was injured, but undisclosed damage was made to the facility, which continues to function as normal, possibly using backup systems.
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles and UAVs fired at Israel and commercial shipping vessels, by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

Hostages



  • Qatar and Egypt continue efforts to reach a new deal that could see the release of some hostages. Over the weekend, the Qatari prime minister met with Israeli hostages’ families.
  • It is believed that 136 hostages remain in Gaza — not all of them alive — after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during the weeklong truce in late November. Four hostages were released before that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of eight hostages have also been recovered and three hostages were mistakenly killed by the military. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of 23 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.

International Response

 

  • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel later today on his fifth trip to the Jewish state since October 7. Blinken was in Jordan and Qatar on Sunday at the start of a five-day diplomatic effort in the Middle East, he is seeking to avert a wider war in the region. He is also due to visit the West Bank and Egypt this week.
  • Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visited the northern front and met with IDF soldiers over the weekend. In a strong statement supporting Israel, Pence said that although he doesn't speak for the American Administration, he does represent the sentiment of the American people, who stand by Israel. 
  • The INSS think tank reports that since October 7, there have been 7,557 protests against Israel around the world, compared to 602 pro-Israel gatherings. This report cover the only the first two months of the war.
  • This week, South Africa filed a case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
  • Under the Court’s rules, Israel has the right to appoint one judge to the 15-justice panel. Earlier today, Israel announced it would send retired Supreme Court President Aharon Barak. Barak, a Holocaust survivor, is one of Israel’s foremost jurists and a world-renowned expert in international law and how the legal system interacts with security and defense decisions. The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint Barak surprised many commentators due to Barak’s background as the instigator of judicial reforms that the current coalition had been trying to overturn for most of 2023. Nonetheless, the decision has been universally praised by legal experts and others, who say that Barak is the best-suited person for the role.
  • British international law and human rights expert Prof. Malcolm Shaw will defend Israel before the court.
  • Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi stated, “The Jewish people have experienced genocide more profoundly than any other nation, with six million of our people brutally slaughtered. A similar cruelty was inflicted on Israeli citizens in the massacre of October 7th, but this time we can defend ourselves against those seeking our destruction. The absurd petition against the right of the victim to self-defense is disgraceful, and we expect all civilized nations to stand with our determination.”
  • In response to the South African case, U.S. National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby this week described the filing as “meritless, counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact.”
  • The defined concept of genocide is relatively new, coined by a Polish lawyer in only 1944 to describe actions taken by the Nazis, including attempts to eliminate the Jewish people. The legality of the concept was established by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  • The key element in the convention is that in order for killings to be described as genocide, there must be “a proven intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.”
  • Israeli military and government leaders have repeatedly declared that the country is at war with Hamas and not with the Palestinian people. Furthermore, the IDF does not target civilians and has established multiple measures to minimize civilian casualties by international law, including civilians ahead of attacks and establishing safe zones.
  • In contrast, Hamas’s charter calls for the annihilation of Israel and the murder of Jews, and Hamas leaders repeatedly incite violence against Israel and vow to repeat the October 7th attacks until Israel is wiped off the map.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism and Hope

 

  • A young couple who survived the massacre at the Nova Music Festival, returned to the site this week to get married at the location.
  • Under expert eyes, objects retrieved from rubble help document October 7’s horrors.
  • See this story of 26-year-old Ella Hamuy, described as a young woman who “always had a smile on her face” and was dedicated to justice and generosity. Ella lived on Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and was looking forward to beginning her training to be a nurse this year. Ella attended the Nova Music Festival when she was seriously injured by Hamas terrorists; she succumbed to her wounds three weeks later.
  • The city of Ashdod in Israel's south has suffered some 275 sirens since October 7, meaning that residents have had to run to shelters an average of three times per day for the last three months. Some residents recorded this song of hope for a better future: A great version of "We Are the World."
  • Brother of hostage slain by IDF visits ‘hell on earth’ that was once his Kfar Aza home.

 

Further Reading



Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: January 2, 2024

The Latest



  • As fighting continues, more IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 173, (and to 505 since October 7). Yesterday, American-Israeli Sgt.- Maj (Res) Amichai Oster was slain in battle. He was the son of Dr. Howard Oster, deputy director of the Internal Medicine Division at Sourasky Medical Center, and Marcy Oster, a well-known journalist. The family had made Aliyah from Cleveland, Ohio. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • As fighting in Gaza continues, an Israeli delegation is currently in Egypt, discussing a potential new hostage deal.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • Yesterday, the IDF captured a Hamas stronghold using special forces who battled terrorists inside tunnel networks beneath the site. Hamas’s “Eastern Outpost” is made up of 37 buildings in the middle of a civilian population, surrounded by residential buildings, a school, and a hospital; there is also a mosque in the complex which is used as a meeting point for Hamas operatives. The stronghold (see infographic here), including a 65-foot deep command bunker (see video), was used by Hamas’s intelligence division and other units to manage the fighting in the entire Gaza Strip.
  • Two terrorists - one Hamas and one Islamic Jihad - revealed how Hamas exploits civilians and civilian areas in Gaza. Zohadi Ali Zahadi Shahin - a Hamas operative in its Shati Battalion admitted that Hamas stopped Gazans who tried to move southwards to escape the fighting and transferred them to the Shifa Hospital to be used as human shields (see footage). Muhammad Darwish Amara, an Islamic Jihad operative from the group's Gaza Brigade, admitted that - despite his objections - a Hamas operative planted a bomb in his apartment where his children were staying (see footage).
  • Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said today that while fighting remains intense in the southern Gaza Strip, “only a few thousand” terrorists are left in the north.
  • Nonetheless, it is being widely reported that within two or three weeks, Israel will move into Stage 3 of the war, which will entail lower-intensity fighting. The IDF says it has already begun releasing some five brigades from reserve duty. With more and more soldiers being sent home, Israeli universities resumed studies, belatedly beginning the new academic year.
  • Similarly, residents of several towns near the Gaza border have been told they can return to their homes. See more here.
  • The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip says that more than 22,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas.
  • Israel continues to allow humanitarian aid for the Gazan population:
  • In late December, Israel opened a second border crossing, Kerem Shalom, to allow for more aid to be transferred. Until then, all aid had arrived through the Rafah crossing via Egypt.
  • According to the latest data released by Israel’s  COGAT Authority, (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) over 104,000 tons of aid and more than 5,800 trucks have now been transferred into Gaza.  On December 25th, over 200 trucks carrying aid were inspected and crossed into Gaza. Every day, containers of diesel fuel and cooking gas are delivered to UN agencies from Egypt. 
  • Earlier this week, COGAT facilitated the delivery of 80,000 vaccines that were donated by UNICEF. 
  • These efforts are ongoing with trucks accessing the Gaza Strip every day under IDF supervision, despite documented efforts by Hamas to sabotage those efforts, steal supplies before they can reach their intended targets, and hide in ambulances and humanitarian convoys. 
  • In public comments made on Sunday, President Isaac Herzog alleged that the United Nations has been a major obstacle to the delivery of humanitarian aid.
  • Only 10% of drinking water typically used within Gaza is provided by Israel whereas the rest is locally sourced.  Yet throughout the war, COGAT opened two water lines from Israel into Gaza providing water to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents in the southern part of the strip, with 28.5m liters being delivered each day. These pipes have been destroyed by Hamas on several occasions and Israel has overseen their repair.
  • On Friday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that called for increased aid to Gaza. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield praised the resolution but abstained from voting in favor of it. She asked, “Why is it so hard to condemn Hamas for slaughtering young people at a concert, for butchering families alive, for the reports of widespread sexual violence? I will never understand why some council members have remained silent in the face of such evil.”
  • The Lieber Institute of Law & Land Warfare at West Point published a review of Israel’s commitment to protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid. They argued that Israel's actions are legitimate given the nature of combat and the obstacles that Hamas puts forth that endanger civilians. 

 

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been further reduced, although one large barrage was fired at exactly midnight on New Year’s Eve. As the IDF has made significant gains in Gaza, the level of rocket fire has been steadily dropping. Thousands of rockets were fired on October 7, and hundreds of rockets per day in the weeks that followed. By the week of December 1-7, Hamas still managed to fire 75 rockets per day, but by December 8-14, the number had dropped to 23. From December 15-27, the average number of rockets dropped to 16 and is now under 10.
  • In the north, the opposite phenomenon is taking place; Hezbollah seems to be slowly increasing its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. Earlier today, two anti-tank missiles fell in the town of Shlomi. One missile exploded near a high-rise building and caused minor property damage.
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles and UAVs fired at Israel and commercial shipping vessels, by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

Hostages

 

  • It is believed that 129 hostages remain in Gaza — not all of them alive — after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during the weeklong truce in late November. Four hostages were released before that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of eight hostages have also been recovered and three hostages were mistakenly killed by the military. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of 23 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.

International Response

 

  • The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which wss deployed to the eastern Mediterranean after October 7th, will return to the United States “in the coming days,” the US Navy announced. Sent to “contribute to our regional deterrence and defense posture,” the carrier will “redeploy to its home port as scheduled to prepare for future deployments.”
  • Foreign Affairs Magazine: How Israel could lose America.

 

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Adi Margalit, 24: Architecture student who ‘danced until her final day’
  • The full extent of Hamas's sex crimes on October 7 may never be known
  • Sgt. Ido Binenstock, 19: Died on the battlefield trying to save friends

 

Further Reading

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $762 million system-wide and allocated over $265 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. Click here for our latest allocations update.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project seeks to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: December 27, 2023

THE LATEST

 

  • As fighting continues, more IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 164, (and to 496 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers here. One of those killed yesterday was Cpt. (Res.) Shaul Greenglick, 26, of Ra’anana. When Greenglick was home on a break from reserve duty three weeks ago, he appeared in uniform on an episode of the reality TV singing competition “The Next Star.” The judges praised him as having “a natural talent with an amazing voice.”
  • Reports continue that talks are taking place over a possible deal for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a two to three-week ceasefire. According to some news outlets, Hamas would return 40 hostages it is holding.
  • Israelis are beginning to discuss the failures that led to October 7. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman announced that in the coming months his office will examine the “multi-system failures" that occurred. He promised that “no stone will be left unturned” in examining “personal responsibility” for the “failures on all levels – policy, military and civilian.”

 

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) OPERATIONS

 

  • After more than 75 days of fighting, Israel continues to make progress in its war with Hamas, having hit over 22,000 targets, killing 5,000 terrorists (including over 70 top commanders), and arresting 500 more. See photos here.
  • Through ongoing operations across Gaza, the IDF continues to uncover large amounts of Hamas weapons, facilitiestunnels, and materials for attacking Israel. Many of these discoveries have been made inside homes, schools and mosques.
  • Around 220,000 Israelis remained displaced from their homes near Gaza, as well as from the area near the country’s northern borders with Lebanon and Syria.
  • "Not your fault": The mother of one of the hostages killed in error by IDF troops, has sent a message of love and support to the soldiers who killed him.

ROCKETS

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been reduced to a sporadic level. Nonetheless, occasional barrages are still fired, some reaching Israel’s center.
  • In the north, Hezbollah seems to have slowly increased its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. Earlier today, a barrage of 18 rockets was fired at Kibbutz Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border. The kibbutz, like most towns in the north, has been largely evacuated of citizens. In a separate attack yesterday, a Hezbollah rocket struck a church in Israel’s north, severely wounding one Christian man. When Israeli rescue workers arrived at the scene, a second rocket was fired at the emergency personnel, wounding nine people.
  •  In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles and UAVs fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen at Israel and at commercial shipping vessels. Earlier in the week, the US shot down 12 Houthi attack drones and five missiles. Watch this video of the Israel Air Force shooting down a Houthi-launched UAV.

 

HOSTAGES

 

  • A 12-year-old boy who was held hostage by terrorists in the Gaza Strip has described some of his experiences in captivity; they include being beaten by Palestinian civilians and being told by his captors that Israel had been destroyed.
  • The IDF announced on Monday that its troops found a car belonging to an Israeli hostage as well as a Hamas pickup truck at northern Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital. The IDF said that these discoveries demonstrate the terror group’s use of medical centers in the Strip.
  • It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza, following the earlier truce deal that freed 105. Four hostages were released prior to that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of 8 hostages have also been recovered and 3 hostages were mistakenly killed by the IDF. Citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza, the IDF has also confirmed the deaths of 22 of those still held by Hamas,. This likely leaves around 100 living hostages, including seven American citizens.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

  • US President Joe Biden spoke yesterday with Qatar’s ruling emir, Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to discuss the efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
  • Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that the PA will return to rule over Gaza despite Israeli opposition, and said that the period following the war will be a “test” for the US to prove that it can keep its word in backing a “revitalized” form of PA rule over the Strip.

 

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

  • Lt. Adar Ben Simon, 20: Commander "sacrificed her life like a hero."
  • A new-immigrant soldier who raced home from the front to be at the birth of his first child.
  • Edan, Sahar & Geula: A woman and her two grandsons all captured and killed.
  • An Israeli bus driver drove by a bus stop late at night and saw 20 soldiers who had missed the last bus. The driver called his office and received permission to drive each of the soldiers home.
  • "It could have been us.” Watch the moving video.

FURTHER READING

 

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS’ RESOURCES

 

Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $762 million system-wide and allocated over $265 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. Click here​ for our latest allocations update and see these resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into specific areas of our allocations: WomenPastoral GuidanceBedouin CommunitiesFood Securityand People with Disabilities.

 

  • The 10/7 Project is a new collaboration among Jewish Federations, AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Have questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel? See here.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.



For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: December 20, 2023

The Latest

 

  • As fighting continues, additional IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 134, (and to 466 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • Multiple, unconfirmed reports have emerged that “intensive” talks are taking place in Egypt over a possible deal for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has arrived in Cairo to take part. According to some news outlets, Hamas would return 40 hostages it is holding, in exchange for hundreds of Hamas prisoners (including some accused of serious offenses) as well as a week-long ceasefire. At the moment, Hamas is demanding a ceasefire while a deal is negotiated, but Israel says that any ceasefire will only begin once a deal is in place.

 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • The IDF carried out strikes against more than 300 targets in the Gaza Strip over the past day. Some of the strikes were directed by ground forces against Hamas operatives amid battles.
  • The IDF is also slowly announcing that it has largely completed its operations in certain areas. Today, the military said that it has concluded the full conquest of the Jabaliya neighborhood in Gaza. See the footage here.
  • Earlier today, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel would bring senior leaders of Hamas “to the place they deserve - either the cemetery or prison.” According to Israel’s TV Channel 13, IDF troops have twice managed to reach tunnels in Gaza in recent days where they believe Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was hiding just before they arrived. The report said that the IDF has primarily focused its activities in and around the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to achieve its goal of assassinating Sinwar.
  • The director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza has revealed in a Shin Bet interrogation that his hospital was turned into a military facility under Hamas’s control and that at one point, it had housed a kidnapped soldier. In this footage, hospital director Ahmed Kahlot can be seen telling authorities that Hamas had offices inside the hospital and used it as a base for operational activity. According to Kahlot, who said he had been a lieutenant colonel in Hamas since 2010, some 16 members of the hospital’s staff — including doctors, nurses, and paramedics — were Hamas operatives serving in the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the terror organization.
  • See this Jewish Federation backgrounder: Does the IDF target civilians?

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel have been reduced to a sporadic level. Nonetheless, yesterday, four rockets were launched at Israel’s center, including Tel Aviv. One rocket fell into the sea, while Iron Dome successfully intercepted the other three. Millions of citizens were forced to take shelter. The rockets were launched from within the Moassi area of the Gaza Strip, designated as a safe zone by Israel and populated by displaced Palestinians.
  • In the north, Hezbollah seems to have slowly increased its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. Yesterday, rockets hit a home in Kiryat Shmone causing damage, but no injuries (as most of the city’s population has been evacuated).
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles fired at commercial shipping vessels, by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

Hostages

 

  • Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad have released videos depicting a total of five of the hostages being held, mainly elderly men. Israel describes the videos as “psychological warfare,” and media outlets have agreed not to screen the footage. While families of the captives were highly distressed by the scenes – which depict the men in poor health – all said they were relieved to know that their loved ones were still alive.
  • It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza, following the earlier truce deal that freed 105. Four hostages were released before that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of 8 hostages have also been recovered and 3 hostages were mistakenly killed by the IDF. The military has also confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza. This likely leaves just over 100 living hostages, among them, 8 US citizens.

International Response

 

  • The Washington Post reports that US President Joe Biden wants Israel to move to a less intense stage of battle soon, “ideally” by the end of this calendar year in just under two weeks, despite US insistence that it is not putting a timetable on Israel’s military campaign. According to the newspaper, a 20-page document drawn up by the State Department lays out options for a post-war Gaza, increasingly managed by Palestinians.
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has watched the IDF’s 47-minute film of Hamas atrocities. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said that Guterres called it “humanity at its worst.” He added, “Now we will see if (Guterres’) public statements change and if he truly understands Israel’s mission to eradicate this evil from the face of the earth and bring home the hostages. If the UN held to its founding principles, we would have heard this on the first day of the war.”
  • American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld visited the Gaza border community of Kibbutz Be’eri on Tuesday during a wartime solidarity trip to Israel. Along with his wife Jessica Sklar, Seinfeld met with Yuval Haran, whose father Avshalom was murdered on October 7. Seinfeld was reported to have expressed his admiration for the residents’ resilience and told them that he was “proud to be an ambassador for spreading the truth throughout the world.” See the photo here.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • See the tales of first responders from October 7.
  • Watch this story of Lt. Col. Alim Abdullah, a 40-year-old company commander and father of 3 from a Druze village, who was killed by gunfire during the first days of the war when he responded to an infiltration of terrorists into northern Israel.
  • Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan has created a fully functional treatment center for children in a secure underground facility. Watch here.
  • Israelis of all ages have volunteered for IDF reserve duty, even when no longer obligated to do so. See this photo of reserve soldiers Martin Holt 87 years old (right), Ezra Yachin 95 years old (in the center), and Nacha Gilboa 85 years old (left). Yachin has fought in every war since 1948.

 

Further Reading

 

 

New Resources from The IDF

 

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $762 million system-wide and allocated over $265 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. Click here for our latest allocations update.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resource Hub: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Previous updates can be found here

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: December 18, 2023

Upcoming

 

  • Join a webinar on December 20, 2023, at 11 am ET to hear some of the stories of Israeli victims and survivors who have recently received aid from the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror, which has distributed over 6,300 grants since October 7. Register here.
  • Please join the Jewish Federation's JEDI team and Hadassah Foundation for a conversation on how Israeli women's organizations are partnering to meet the immediate needs of women and girls and to advocate for their rights. We will also hear from members of Israel's Civil Commission of Oct. 7. The War's Impact on Women in Israel. Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 19, 1 pm ET. Register here.

 

The Latest

 

  • As fighting continues, additional IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 127, (and to 459 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers here. More than 1,800 soldiers have been wounded, and 38 remain hospitalized in serious condition.
  • Nearly 70% of Iran’s gas stations went out of service following a likely cyberattack. An Israeli hacker group claimed responsibility. It was also announced today that an attempt by Iranian figures to hack into Ziv Hospital in northern Israel was recently thwarted.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • Earlier today, IDF troops seized some $1.5 million in cash in suitcases found in the home of a senior Hamas member in northern Gaza (see photos).
  • During activity in Jabalya, the IDF located an operational tunnel shaft inside a children's room in the basement of a building. This shaft included built-in stairs and was destroyed by the brigade's engineering forces.
  • The IDF also carried out strikes against more than 150 sites in the Gaza Strip over the past day. In the Khan Younis area, an IAF drone spotted a Hamas cell entering a site belonging to the terror group. Troops of the Givati Brigade then directed a combat helicopter to strike the cell.
  • The IDF also revealed the largest-ever Hamas attack tunnel (see animated infographic) discovered by the military, in northern Gaza, close to the Erez border crossing with Israel (see map). The tunnel, of which around 2.5 miles were uncovered by the IDF, is located some 165 feet underground in some areas and appears to be wide enough for vehicles to pass through. Watch this Hamas video of the tunnel’s construction.
  • Over the weekend, IDF forces prevented an intricate assault prepared by Hamas. The ambush included booby-trapped children’s stuffed toys and piles of children’s clothing designed to lure soldiers into believing that Israeli children had been held hostage at that location. Hamas placed a blue-tooth speaker near the toys and played dialog in Hebrew through the speaker to convince the IDF that there were hostages nearby.
  • See also this Jewish Federation backgrounder: Does the IDF target civilians?

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remain far lower than earlier in the war but continue to strike Israeli cities on an almost daily basis. Most rockets are intercepted by Iron Dome, but even in these cases, fragments sometimes fall causing considerable damage. See this intercepted rocket that landed in an Ashdod supermarket yesterday.
  • In the north, Hezbollah seems to have increased its level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. In response, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “If Hezbollah wants to go up a level, we’ll go up five….We don’t want that, we don’t want to get into a war situation. We want to restore peace and we will do it either through an agreement or with forceful action, with all its implications. We don’t want war, but we won’t hold it off for too long.”
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles fired at commercial shipping vessels, by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said that the Houthis have crossed a red line.

 

Hostages

 

  • In a tragic development, three hostages were mistakenly shot and killed by IDF troops who believed they were Hamas terrorists. See more here.
  • There are ongoing reports of a potential renewed hostage deal with Hamas. Sources say that Hamas is insisting on being able to choose those Palestinian prisoners to be released, including those who have murdered Israelis. Hamas had also proposed to release the bodies of hostages it said were killed during captivity.
  • Possibly as a first step towards a deal, and in preparation for increased aid to the Strip, Israel has reopened the Kerem Shalom Crossing to enable commercial quantities of goods to enter Gaza. However, videos circulating on social media showed Hamas gunmen stealing trucks delivering humanitarian aid to the Strip from Egypt.
  • It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza, following the earlier truce deal that freed 105. Four hostages were released before that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of 8 hostages have also been recovered and 3 hostages were mistakenly killed by the IDF. The military has also confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza. This likely leaves some 104 living hostages.

International Response

 

  • US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin together with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, arrived in Israel earlier today. Some media reports say that Austin will announce a new maritime protection force during his visit, after repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial ships traversing the Red Sea.
  • As the Yemenite Houthis continue to raise the level of their threats towards all ships traveling to and from Israel, the US Navy today began to redeploy the USS Eisenhower Carrier group from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden, near the Yemeni coast. It has been reported that this redeployment is a signal that the US may intervene and counterattack the Houthis shortly.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Watch JDC’s videos:
  • Tzipy’s Story,” is about living with a disability during war times.
  • “Our souls were shattered: Sapir’s story.
  • A new opinion poll about the ultra-Orthodox public in Israel shows the group seems to be moving closer to mainstream Israeli society since October 7. Among the findings:
  • 73% of the Haredi community feels a stronger sense of shared destiny with Israeli society due to the recent war.
  • 75% expressed a deep connection to the “Israeli narrative.”
  • 32% supported increased involvement of their community in Israeli society.
  • 29% favor haredi enlistment (compared to 9% before October 7). And 70% said those not studying Torah should serve in the IDF or alternative national service.
  • Remarkably, when asked about their trust in institutions, Haredim said they trusted:
  • The IDF – 59%
  • Political parties (including haredi parties) – 58%
  • Local authorities – 48%
  • The Police – 42%
  • Government – 34%
  • Justice system – 8%

 

Further Reading

Jewish Federations’ Resources

 

  • Read background on the Hamas terror group here.
  • Jewish Federations of North America’s president and CEO Eric Fingerhut gave a stirring and timely speech last week to civic leaders at the Cleveland Club about the war in Israel and the need for all people of good faith to confront the dramatic spike in antisemitism that has arisen since October 7. To read the text of the speech, or to watch it on video, click on this post.
  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resource Hub: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Overall, Jewish Federations have now raised over $762 million for emergency assistance and more than $265 million has been allocated. For more details, click here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: December 14, 2023

Please join Jewish Federation's JEDI team and Hadassah Foundation for a conversation on how Israeli women's organizations are partnering to meet immediate needs for women and girls and to advocate for their rights. We will also hear from members of Israel's Civil Commission of Oct. 7. The War's Impact on Women in Israel. Tuesday, December 19, 1pm ET. Register here.

 

THE LATEST

 

As fighting continues, additional IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 116, (and to 442 since October 7). Among those who fell yesterday was American-Israeli Elisha Loewernstern, a young father of six (and a friend and neighbor of this writer). May his memory (and those of all the fallen), be for a blessing. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.

 

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) OPERATIONS

  • Fierce fighting continues in both northern and southern Gaza. See this summary and statement in English about the latest fighting, by an IDF spokesperson.
  •  Earlier today, IDF troops operated in the Kamal Adwan Hospital area with the Shin Bet, and dozens of Hamas terrorists were killed or detained. During the operation, the IDF troops located a building close to the hospital that was being used by Hamas terrorists. An exchange of fire took place, in which a number of Hamas terrorists were killed. Some 70 terrorists surrendered and left the building with their weapons and were detained and taken for interrogation by the Shin Bet.
  • According to one report, the IDF has started pumping seawater into Hamas’s underground tunnel system in Gaza, a move aimed at destroying the Palestinian terror group’s subterranean network of passages and hideaways and driving its operatives above ground. Read more.
  • The military has placed a bounty on Hamas leaders, with fliers dropped in Gaza offering money for information on the whereabouts of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other commanders in the terror group. The pamphlet promises Gazans $400,000 for information on Hamas’s Gaza leader Sinwar; $300,000 for information on his brother, Muhammed Sinwar, who commands the terror group’s southern brigade; $200,000 for information on Rafaa Salameh, the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis battalion; and $100,000 for information on Mohammed Deif, the commander of the military wing.
  • Funerals were held Wednesday in Israel for troops killed in Gaza’s Shejaiya neighborhood the previous day, in an ambush using remotely detonated explosive devices. Nine IDF soldiers were killed, including a Battalion Commander from the Golani Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Grinberg (35), and two of his Company Commanders. When the explosive device was detonated, the force was split and rescue forces from the Air Force Search and Rescue Unit arrived on the scene. Hamas terrorists then ambushed the rescue forces, killing a Company Commander and a soldier from the unit. The battle in Shejaiya was one of the most deadly encounters since the beginning of the Israeli ground incursion.

 

ROCKETS

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remain far lower than earlier in the war, but continue to strike Israeli cities on an almost daily basis. Most rockets are intercepted by Iron Dome, but even in these cases, fragments sometimes fall causing considerable damage. See this intercepted rocket that landed in an Ashdod supermarket yesterday.
  • In the north, Hezbollah also continues its medium-level of rocket and other fire against Israeli targets.
  • In the Red Sea, Israel and the United States military continue to shoot down missiles fired at commercial shipping vessels, by Iran-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.
  • Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said that the Houthis have crossed a red line.
  • Watch this footage of the Iron Dome operating to intercept incoming Hamas rockets and protect Israeli civilian targets.

 

HOSTAGES

  • The IDF announced on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of civilian Eden Zacharia and IDF Warrant Officer Ziv Dado, who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.
  • Some Israeli media is reporting that there are initial, informal negotiations over a potential renewed hostage deal with Hamas. Sources say Qatar and Egypt are holding informal, initial talks between Israel and Hamas to formulate an outline for a new deal.
  •  It is believed that 135 hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are dead. The bodies of five hostages have also been recovered.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE



  • US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has arrived in Israel for another round of talks with the country’s military and political leadership. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Sullivan that the war against Hamas in Gaza will take “more than several months.”
  • Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby suggested Wednesday that some of the steps the Israeli military has taken to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza might go further than what the US would have done if it were in Israel’s place.
  • A survey among Palestinians published yesterday shows a rise in support for Hamas, and a rejection of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with nearly 90% saying he must resign. The polls shows 57% of respondents in Gaza and 82% in the West Bank believe Hamas was correct in launching its October 7 attack. Only 10% say they believed Hamas has committed war crimes.

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

 

Watch these inspiring videos from Jewish Federations:

 

 

JDC story: The Strongest People You’ll Ever Meet: During War, Living With a Disability in Israel

 

The October 7 massacres have spurred a massive Torah scroll writing project: Thousands of Israeli Jews, including President Isaac Herzog, have filled in letters on parchment to commemorate the 1,200 dead; and raise awareness for the 138 hostages still in captivity.

 

A study conducted by Goshen, an organization promoting community child health and wellbeing, as well as the Israeli Pediatric Association, indicates that 84% of Israeli children overall are suffering from emotional distress. Forty percent of parents are also feeling stressed and anxious, but only 14% of parents have sought help for their or their children’s mental health.

FURTHER READING

 

  • Jordan navigates delicately amid Israel-Hamas war
  • How are Houthi seizures in the vital Red Sea shipping lane impacting global trade?
  • Former Member of Knesset: Why is Israel unable to explain the war in Gaza to the world?

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools.
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Women
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities

 

Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

  • Overall, Jewish Federations have now raised over $711 million for emergency assistance and more than $211 million has been allocated. For more details, click here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest dispatch from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

 

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner at dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: December 11, 2023

New Resources

 

 

The Latest

  • As fighting continues, seven more soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 104 (and 433 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • The IDF says it has killed 7,000 Hamas members or allied terrorists since fighting began. More than 22,000 targets in the Gaza Strip have been struck since the beginning of the war, 3,500 of them since the end of the ceasefire. See this infographic video of eliminated senior commanders.
  • Cypriot law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the Mossad, have thwarted an Iranian cell that planned to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in Cyprus. Cypriot security services have arrested the attackers, and considerable information was obtained about the cell’s operations, the targets of the attack, and Iranian plans to kill innocents in Cyprus and elsewhere.
  • The Israeli Government has approved a $5 billion multi-year plan to rehabilitate and develop the region around the Gaza Strip. The approved outline aims to ensure “the safe and lasting renewal and development of the region with significant demographic growth, which constitutes a prosperous and attractive focus and magnet for economic resilience, quality education, investments, and advanced and innovative agriculture.” A new authority has been set up to implement the plan, known as “Tekuma.”
  • The Israeli government has also set up a small team of top officials and representatives from the defense establishment to discuss post-war plans for Gaza. The team, which has met four times already, is reportedly led by National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and includes representatives from the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad, and the Shin Bet, and Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog.
  • Israeli universities will officially begin the academic school year on December 31, following a two-month delay amid the IDF's war in Gaza (where some 30% of university students have been called to reserve duty).

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Hamas terrorists to surrender to Israeli troops, urging them not to sacrifice their lives for the terror group’s chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. The comments followed remarks by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi that there were signs that Hamas was collapsing, and as several images and videos circulated over the past week of dozens of men, many of them Hamas operatives, surrendering and being detained by Israeli troops inside Gaza.
  • Intense fighting continues across Gaza. The IDF says it almost has complete control over the northern part of the Strip, and is consolidating its gains over the major city of Khan Younis in the south. See footage of the latest fighting here.
  • Since fighting began, 1,593 soldiers have been wounded, 255 of whom suffered severe injuries. Watch this video of a wounded soldier being evacuated by helicopter.
  • Hamas continues to launch missile and rocket fire toward Israel from southern Gaza, including from humanitarian zones. The IDF released satellite photos showing the proximity between UN facilities and these launch sites.
  • The IDF is releasing directions in Arabic for safe passage within the battle zones and has deployed high-tech mapping software to reduce noncombatant deaths. It has reiterated that “the people of Gaza are not our enemies."
  • These efforts were recognized by US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby, who said “It’s not the Israel Defense Forces’ strategy to kill innocent people. It’s happening, I admit that, and each one’s a tragedy,” while Hamas “is deliberately hiding themselves in residential buildings, in hospitals, [and] in tunnels.” He emphasized that Israel goes beyond what “a modern military would do to minimize civilian casualties.” 
  • US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also acknowledged Israel’s efforts to reduce civilian casualties. In an interview with CNN, he said that Hamas “intentionally embeds itself with civilians… and it’s very, very challenging for Israel to do what it needs to do to make sure this never happens again.” 
  • IDF reservists operating inside Gaza discovered a young Palestinian girl asleep inside a fortified military area on Sunday, and after determining that she was lost, cleaned her and treated wounds on her feet before transferring her to a Gazan medical team. The girl, estimated to be around four years old, took a wrong turn when walking barefoot up the Salah al-Din Road, the main highway inside the coastal enclave, and ended up in a closed military encampment belonging to the IDF Reserve’s Jerusalem Brigade in the center of the Gaza Strip. The girl lay down on a blanket and fell asleep inside the encampment, where Daniel Rosenfeld, a reservist in the Combat Engineering Corps, discovered her.
  • There are increasing signs that the Gazan population is losing patience with Hamas, and for the first time, civilians are speaking out against its leadership. Former Hamas communications minister Yousef al-Mansi (now held by Israel) heavily criticized the current leadership of the terror organization in Gaza as a group of “crazy people” led by Yahya Sinwar, in footage of his interrogation published by the Shin Bet. In the recording, al-Mansi says, “They destroyed the Gaza Strip. Set it back 200 years. There is no opportunity to live.”
  • Read: From Pause Back to Fighting: Report from the Gaza Front

Rockets

 

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remain far lower than earlier in the war but continue to strike Israeli cities daily.
  • In the north, Hezbollah also continues its medium-level rocket and other fire against Israeli targets. It says that the total toll of its members killed since the beginning of the war is 100. The tally includes Hezbollah members killed by IDF strikes in southern Lebanon, in response to repeated attacks on the border, as well as several killed in Syria. Israeli defense officials estimate that this figure is higher, and Hezbollah is covering up the true number of fatalities among its ranks.

 

Hostages

 

  • It is believed that 138 hostages remain in Gaza, although in recent days the IDF has confirmed the deaths of 18 of them, due to new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.
  • A further 105 hostages were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza during the ceasefire: 81 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals, and one Filipino. In exchange, Israel released 240 Palestinian security prisoners, all women and minors. Earlier, four hostages were released, one hostage was rescued, and two bodies were recovered.
  • Yesterday, the IDF revealed that a special forces operation was conducted to try to rescue a group of hostages in Gaza following precise intelligence information, but the mission was not successful. Two soldiers were severely injured and the hostages were not rescued.
  • Former Hamas hostages Mia and Itay Regev speak out.

International Response



  • According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israel, not the US, will decide when to end its war against Hamas in Gaza. His comments came in the wake of reports that Washington has been exerting pressure on Israel to wrap up operations by the end of the year.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday about the war against Hamas and the situation in the region. Netanyahu expressed his dissatisfaction with the positions expressed against Israel by Russian representatives at the UN and in other forums and voiced sharp criticism of the dangerous cooperation between Russia and Iran.
  • A delegation from the European Union Parliament toured the Gaza border town of Kibbutz Kfar Aza where some of the worst atrocities on October 7 took place. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana led the tour for the delegation headed by Security and Defense Subcommittee chair Nathalie Loiseau from France and Foreign Affairs Committee chair David McAllister from Germany. They were joined by MPs Rasa Juknevičienė of Lithuania, Gheorghe-Vlad Nistor of Romania, Attila Ara-Kovács of Hungary, and Carina Ohlsson of Sweden. “What we’ve seen here in Kfar Aza we will never forget,” said Loiseau in remarks to the press at the end of the tour through the burnt buildings in the border town where over 50 were murdered and at least 17 were taken hostage on October 7.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Watch these inspiring videos from Jewish Federations:
  • Yaara – A young volunteer working with evacuated children
  • Miriam – An older adult receiving basic needs support
  • “When it finally hit home,” a personal account by the Jerusalem Post’s editor-in-chief.

 

Further Reading

 

 

Additional Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations’, 10/7 Project is a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response, especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.
  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised more than $711 million system-wide for emergency humanitarian aid to Israel, with more than $211 already allocated to the needs on the ground. For the latest report, click here.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish among the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: December 8, 2023

Jewish Federations’ 10/7 Project is a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is an organized effort to promote bipartisan support for Israel and counter disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin that was just published.

The Latest

  • The IDF reported today that it hit 450 sites in Gaza over the past day.
  • As fighting continues, five more IDF soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 91. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck and killed an Israeli civilian in the northern border town of Mattat yesterday. The man in his 60s was treated by Magen David Adom medics near the scene who were forced to declare his death.
  • By Thursday, the IDF said that its troops had surrounded Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, (and a center of Hamas’ power) and had also advanced inside the city.
  • All restrictions have been lifted regarding the resumption of schools in the center of Israel. Until now, schools could only open if students could reach shelters within the allotted time when sirens rang.
  • Israeli authorities have now identified a total of 274 soldiers and 859 civilians killed during the brutal October 7 assaults. The latter figure includes 57 Israel Police officers and 38 local security officers. It is unclear which of these individuals were on duty when killed. Removing those victims leaves a figure of 764 civilians. Read additional details about the demographics and nature of those murdered.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

  • Some of the most intensive fighting in the ground war so far has been taking place in recent days.
  • The IDF has surrounded the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza and is operating in the city’s center.
  • Yesterday, troops broke through the defenses of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, and captured terror strongholds, locating weapons and intelligence materials.
  • Soldiers killed numerous Hamas operatives in ground combat and airstrikes and located around 30 tunnel shafts that were then destroyed during the ongoing battles, as well as a weapons depot inside a mosque. 
  • The IDF said, “The entire leadership of the Hamas terror organization — political and military — grew up in the area of ​​the city of Khan Younis, including Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif. Now the city is surrounded.”
  • The military is also making advances in the northern Gaza Strip, where they have been operating for more than a month. The IDF stated “In the last 48 hours, in Jabaliya, Shejaiya, and Khan Younis, we breached the defense lines. The terrorists are coming out from the underground and fighting our forces. And our forces are winning in close-quarters combat. They have the upper hand.”
  • Yesterday also saw additional signs that general order – as well as Hamas control – is breaking down inside Gaza. Thousands of Gazans ransacked a UN facility (long accused of corruption), finding tons of food, clothing, and other supplies, currently in desperate need in Gaza. And in an unprecedented development, one Gazan phoning into a local TV station openly accused Hamas and its leadership of bringing the entire catastrophe on them, and urged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to “release the hostages.”
  • The Israeli government has approved a “minimal” increase in fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Israel has restricted fuel shipments into Gaza since the outbreak of the war over concerns that they will fall into the hands of Hamas and be used for military purposes. Humanitarian officials say the fuel shortages have crippled the health care system and hindered deliveries of basic humanitarian supplies.
  • The IDF and Israel’s Defense Ministry launched a program yesterday to better equip civilian community defense teams. The local units are made up of residents of communities and are often the first to respond to infiltrations and attacks. On October 7, several of the teams in communities near the Gaza border were overwhelmed as they took on dozens of Hamas terrorists, sometimes without adequate arms and equipment.
  • The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday it has seen a massive spike in female conscripts seeking to join combat units during the war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the age of retirement for Israelis serving in reserves and active duty will be temporarily raised by one year to maintain the IDF's operational preparedness during the war. Defense and Justice ministries officials are drawing up a temporary bill that will raise the age of retirement for reservists from 40 to 41. In addition, IDF officers' retirement age will be raised from 45 to 46, or from 49 to 50, subject to their specific role's requirements.

Rockets

  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remain far lower than earlier in the war but continue to strike Israeli cities daily. Watch as an intercepted rocket crashes into a street in Tel Aviv, narrowly missing two pedestrians.
  • Tragically, many of the rockets were fired by Hamas from inside the humanitarian zones set up by Israel for those civilians escaping the fighting.
  • In the north, Hezbollah also continues its medium-level rocket and other fire against Israeli targets.
  • On Wednesday, Israel’s long-range Arrow air defense system shot down a ballistic missile, fired by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, over the Red Sea. The incident set off sirens in the city of Eilat, though the surface-to-surface missile was destroyed before entering Israeli airspace.

Hostages

  • At least 10 of the Israeli civilians released by Hamas, both men and women, were sexually assaulted or abused while in captivity, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. In a report detailing allegations of severe and widespread sexual abuse by Hamas terrorists during their October 7 onslaught and later against hostages, a doctor who treated some of the 110 hostages released from captivity told the AP that at least 10 men and women among those freed were sexually assaulted or abused.
  • Read about how released hostages had been starved and tortured.
  • See this account of his time as a Hamas hostage by one of the Thai foreign workers who was released.

International Response

  • US Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein said yesterday that the Biden Administration has not lost hope that normalization can be achieved between Israel and Saudi Arabia, even though US-mediated talks between the two countries were frozen when war broke out following October 7.
  • UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps will visit Israel this week. Shapps stated, “My visit this week is an important opportunity to discuss efforts to accelerate the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance into Gaza and efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages.” The UK has recently deployed an additional 1,000 military personnel in the Middle East and Shapps said that “our forces are there to support the humanitarian aid effort and help in stabilizing the area.”

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

  • Watch these inspiring videos from Jewish Federations:
  • Yael - Magen David Adom Call Center Dispatcher
  • Gilad – Elderly man receiving basic needs support
  • Watch this video about JDC’s agricultural volunteers during the war.
  • Read about Sgt. Binyamin Yehoshua “Benji” Needham, 19, a British-Israeli dual citizen and a soldier in the Combat Engineering Corps’ 601st Battalion, was killed fighting in Gaza earlier this week.
  • Read about the Jewish Agency’s Amigour volunteers.
  • A yeshiva in Yerucham pays a heavy price as multiple students have fallen in battle.
  • Many Arab-Israeli leaders expressed shock and sympathy with the victims of October 7, when the IDF Spokesperson's Unit held a screening on Tuesday night for leaders of the sector, showing them video testimony of the horrific events. In attendance were heads of local municipal authorities, community leaders, media personalities, journalists, and thought leaders from the Arab community in Israel.
  • Watch JDC’s emergency educational initiatives for evacuees.

Further Reading

Additional Resources

  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $711 million system-wide and allocated over $242 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. Click here for our latest allocations update.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: December 6, 2023

Join a special webinar with the Jewish Agency for Israel: Israel’s Fight for Survival - A Discussion with Dr. Einat Wilf and Dan Elbaum tomorrow, Thursday, December 7, at 10 AM ET. Register Register here.

 

This week, Jewish Federations announced the 10/7 Project, a new collaboration with AJC, AIPAC, ADL, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The 10/7 Project is a coordinated effort to counter the disinformation about the attacks of October 7th and Israel’s response; it is especially aimed at the key media and government influencers. See here for more information about the 10/7 project, as well as this news bulletin.

 

Thursday, December 7th is the first night of Hanukkah and it also comes two months since the massacres of October 7. Join with Jews across the world to “defeat the darkness, light a great light and take part in setting a Guinness record, by lighting the first Hanukkah candle at the local time where you are and thus convey a powerful and determined message of unity and victory to the world.”

 

The Latest

  • As fighting continues, following the collapse of the ceasefire, three more soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 8 4, (and to 410 IDF since October 7). One of those killed in recent days was an American-Israeli man, Ben Zussman. His mother’s moving eulogy has been widely viewed in Israel. See details of all the fallen soldiers here.
  • By late Tuesday afternoon, the IDF said that its troops had reached the center of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza.
  • Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remain far lower than earlier in the war, but continue to strike Israeli cities daily. Yesterday, as a result of a particularly large barrage, several people were lightly injured by shrapnel from rockets in Tel Aviv and other locations. One rocket hit a kindergarten; thankfully, all the children were in the safety of the shelter at the time. In the north, Hezbollah also continues its medium-level rocket and other fire against Israeli targets.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations

 

  • The IDF reports that “fierce battles” with Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip continue, as the Air Force carried out strikes against more than 250 targets over the past day (see footage).
  • According to the IDF, yesterday saw some of the harshest battles in Gaza since the ground operation began. The Head of IDF Southern Command said, “This is the most intense day [of battles] since the start of the [ground] maneuver, in terms of terrorists killed, the number of engagements and the use of fire from the ground and the air.”
  • IDF troops are said to have surrounded a home in Khan Younis belonging to Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar. There is no indication that Sinwar is in the building, as he owns multiple homes, and is believed to be in hiding. Earlier, the IDF had described the terror chief as “a dead man walking.”
  • The IDF has also announced that there will be a tactical pause in fighting for humanitarian purposes until 2 pm today in the Ash Shaboura area in the Rafah district. The pause will permit urgent supplies to be delivered, and for civilians to evacuate areas of fighting.
  • The IDF has discovered one of the largest caches of weapons yet during operations in the northern Gaza Strip. The cache (watch footage here), located near a health clinic and a school, included hundreds of RPGs, dozens of anti-tank missiles, tens of explosives, long-range rockets, dozens of grenades, and several drones.
  • CNN has reported that the US government believes that Israel could wrap up large-scale military operations in the southern Gaza Strip by January, and then shift to more targeted attacks on specific Hamas terrorists and leaders.
  • Hamas insists that the Israeli military campaign has killed more than 15,900 people, mostly civilians. The numbers have not been independently verified and are believed to include combatants as well as Palestinian civilians killed by errant rockets launched by terror groups. Israel says it has killed at least 5,000 armed militants in the fighting, adding that the IDF was deploying high-tech mapping software to try to reduce noncombatant deaths.

Hostages

 

  • Under a week-long truce deal that expired on Friday, 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza: 81 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals, and one Filipino. Earlier, four hostages were released one was rescued, and at least three bodies have been recovered. It is believed that 138 hostages remain in Gaza, including approximately 20 women and two young children. Read the stories of those who are still missing.
  • Watch this video of released hostage, five-year-old Amalia Aloni, returning to her kindergarten yesterday, for the first time since being released.
  • Israel’s Health Ministry said that the hostages recently freed were given tranquilizer pills by Hamas before their release. It is claimed that the drugging was aimed at making the hostages appear calm and happy despite their having suffered physical abuse, deprivation, and psychological terror in Gaza for more than 50 days.
  • Hanna Katzir, who was released from Gaza last month, is in serious condition after her health deteriorated while she was held hostage in the Strip.
  • Amazon silent: Sasha Troufanov was taken hostage on October 7. He was abducted along with his parents, Yelena and Vitali, his grandmother Irena, and his partner Sapir Cohen. His father has since been murdered, while his partner, mother, and grandmother were all returned to Israel last week. Troufanov has worked as an engineer in Amazon’s AWS Cloud Division for more than a year and, although he has been held in captivity for almost two months, Amazon has remained silent on the matter.
  • Israeli military sources say that it may take up to a month for enough pressure to build on Hamas that a new window would open for a truce that would lead to the release of more hostages held in Gaza. A radio report says that military operations will need to continue in both the north and the south of the enclave for this to happen.

International Response



  • The top diplomats from China and the United States discussed the war between Israel and Hamas in a call yesterday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “reiterated the imperative of all parties working to prevent the conflict from spreading." Beijing says Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in turn that, regarding the war, “the top priority is to cease fire and end the war as soon as possible.”

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism, And Hope

 

  • Watch these inspiring videos from Jewish Federations:
  • Ashira – The mother of a child with disabilities
  • Yael – Magen David Adom Call Center Dispatcher
  • Read the story of 41-year-old Col. Asaf Hamami, wife of Sapir and father of Arbel, Alon, and Ella, who is being called by comrades “a hero of Israel.” The commander of the Southern Brigade in the Gaza Division and a decorated officer, Hamami left his base early during the morning of October 7th to fight terrorists and save the residents of the Gaza envelope communities. He was killed in action, and his body is being held by Hamas terrorists.
  • Watch this video of what happened at Kibbutz Nir Oz, based on text messages sent by Kibbutz members as events unfolded.

 

Sexual Violence On October 7

 

  • Jewish Federations stood with the Israeli Consulate to the United Nations, the World Zionist Organization, and the National Council of Jewish Women earlier this week at the United Nations to call out the violence against women perpetrated by the Hamas terrorists on October 7th and since. Jewish Federations’ National Women’s Philanthropy, Advocacy Corps, National Young Leadership Cabinet, and leadership attended the session in full force, and many more thousands watched on livestream. Watch a recording of the powerful event.   
  • Read Jewish Federations’ Action Dispatch: Israelis provide harrowing details of sexual violence on October 7th.
  • Even as the attacks of October 7th were unfolding evidence was already being seen of acts of brutal sexual violence. Subsequent investigations have revealed the widespread extent of the violence; they include an in-depth report by The Times of London that found that perpetrating sexual violence was part of the stated mission of the Hamas terrorists.
  • Watch Israel’s satirical Eretz Nehederet program poke fun at what they term the UN’s hypocrisy.

Further Reading

 

 

Additional Resources

 

  • Resources: Readers can see links to resources, background, research, and other information on the current war here; can access a Jewish Federations toolkit here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points and tools. 
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $678 million system-wide and allocated over $211 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. Click here for our latest allocations update.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found hereClick here to subscribe.

Jewish Federations



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: December 4, 2023

Join a special webinar with the Jewish Agency for Israel: Israel’s Fight for Survival - A Discussion with Dr. Einat Wilf and Dan Elbaum on Thursday, December 7 at 10 AM ET. Register here.

 

The Latest



  • As fighting continues, following the collapse of the ceasefire, three more soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the ground offensive began to 76, (and to 401 since October 7). See details of all the fallen soldiers.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

 

  • The IDF is now striking targets across Gaza, including the city of Khan Younis in the south, as ground forces continue to operate in the Strip, following the end of the ceasefire. The military said that it has expanded its ground offensive into the southern half of Gaza, promising to carry out its campaign with the same intensity as it has used in the Strip’s north.
  • IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the military was expanding the ground offensive to “all areas of the Gaza Strip.” Watch this footage, and watch the IDF Spokesperson, speak about the IDF’s operations against Hamas in Gaza and efforts to mitigate civilian harm.
  • The IDF also carried out strikes against some 200 Hamas targets in Gaza overnight. Among other targets, the military destroyed Hamas infrastructure inside a school in north Gaza which terrorists used to attack troops. Inside the school complex, IDF soldiers found weapons, as well as two tunnel entrances, including one that was booby-trapped.
  • The Israeli Navy also carried out strikes overnight, targeting Hamas observation posts and other infrastructure along Gaza’s coast.
  • Referring to the resumption of fighting, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “Hamas will not determine what happens – only the IDF will. Hamas’ morale is low. Eight weeks have passed since the start of the war – including 3 weeks of strikes, 4 weeks of maneuvering, and one week during which hostages returned home. The [military] achievements so far are great – thousands of terrorists have been eliminated, we have struck dozens of headquarters, hundreds of terabytes of information have been transferred to us, hundreds of terrorists have been apprehended and are being interrogated in Israel, and much more… All this was achieved as a result of the IDF’s determination and successful operations.” (See these photos).
  • Hamas says the Israeli military campaign has killed more than 15,500 people, mostly civilians. The numbers have not been independently verified and are believed to include combatants as well as Palestinian civilians killed by errant rockets launched by terror groups.
  • The IDF also announced yesterday that troops have discovered more than 800 tunnel shafts in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the ground offensive and that around 500 of them have already been destroyed. Watch this footage.

Hostages

 

  • As part of the hostage-release deal, a total of 105 hostages were released (of whom 81 were Israelis) from Hamas captivity.
  • In exchange for those let out, Israel released some 250 terrorists from prison and granted a seven-day ceasefire.
  • It is believed that 136 hostages remain in Gaza including 17 women and 2 children. The two children are the now famous red-headed boys of the Bibas family. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli bombing along with their mother, but this remains unconfirmed.
  • Based on information from released hostages, at least four of those kidnapped have been confirmed to have died while in captivity. Over the weekend, the body of one hostage was recovered by IDF troops
  • New details continue to emerge about the harsh conditions under which hostages were, and are, being kept. See this New York Times story based on information from released hostages.
  • See these stories:
  • The parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speak about their ongoing agony.
  • Survivors expose Hamas horrors, and demand rescue of remaining hostages.
  • Released hostage Ofir Engel, 18, ‘physically okay,’ says his father; emotionally, ‘we’ll see.’

International Response

 

  • A senior delegation of US Administration officials arrived in Israel today to discuss planning for post-war Gaza. The delegation is led by US Vice President Kamala Harris’s national security adviser Phil Gordon, who was with her for meetings with Arab leaders on the subject in Dubai over the weekend. He will be joined by Ilan Goldenberg, Harris’s Mideast adviser along with several others. The US delegation will meet with Israel’s National Security Council chair Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer along with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
  • In signs of increasing US military involvement, as well as a more significant threat from Yemen, an American destroyer shot down multiple drones today while assisting commercial ships in the Red Sea that were targeted by attacks “from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. “Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea,” a CENTCOM statement read.
  • US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the existing Palestinian Authority lacks the credibility to govern Gaza once Israel’s military campaign to oust Hamas from the enclave is over.
  • Israeli actress Gal Gadot has strongly criticized the international community for its silence over cases of sexual assault on October 7, and the continued holding of women hostages by the Hamas terror group in Gaza. “The world has failed the women of October 7th. We claim we stand against rape, violence against women. We will not let women be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women, stand with women, speak out for women.”

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Watch these inspiring videos from Jewish Federations:
  • Reena - foreign caretaker
  • Yael Beit Issie – Therapists working with children
  • Read about a Fund for the Victims of Terror recipient: On the morning of October 7, Oshri Tuito, 27, woke up early at his home in Sderot. He and his father, Eliyahu, enjoy fishing and would often go to Zikim beach together, but that day, Eliyahu felt too tired to join Oshri so Oshri took his fishing gear and drove to Zikim beach by himself, not knowing what was about to unfold.

 

Further Reading

Additional Resources

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:
  • Pastoral Guidance
  • Bedouin Communities
  • Food Security
  • People with Disabilities
  • Details: See this update for full details about the home front and military operations. For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats here.
  • Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read about the work that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: December 1, 2023

New Resources

See these newly produced resources by Jewish Federations that give insight into some areas of Federations’ emergency allocations:

The Latest

  • The week-long ceasefire in Gaza ended this morning after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on a list of hostages to be released today. Also, the Prime Minister's office accused Hamas of not fulfilling its promise to release all the female hostages. 
  • In a terror attack in Jerusalem on Thursday morning, three people were killed when two brothers, Hamas-affiliated terrorists, opened fire at a bus stop. At least six other people were injured. Among those killed were a 24-year-old woman, and a Rabbinical Court Judge, Dayan Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman.
  • Israeli security forces arrested 15 people last night in the West Bank on suspicion of terrorism.
  • A rocket landed this morning in a kibbutz in the south of the country; no casualties, however, were reported.

Hostages

 

  • As part of the hostage-release deal, a total of 112 Israeli hostages have now been released from Hamas captivity and have been reunited with their families, in six separate groups, over the last six days.
  • On Wednesday night, 12 Israeli hostages and four foreign laborers from Thailand were released. Two of the Israelis also held Russian citizenship. Initially, Hamas said that the two hostages with Russian citizenship were not part of the deal, but were, instead, a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, since it has become clear that the two were also Israeli citizens, Hamas has announced that the two will count towards the 10 hostages slated to be released this evening. As a result, only 8 hostages were released Thursday. Some reports have suggested that Hamas will also return the bodies of three Israelis it is holding.
  • In what is likely a form of psychological warfare, last night’s releases were repeatedly delayed, with questions arising as to whether the exchange would indeed take place.
  • The hostages set free so far have been young children, their mothers, elderly women, and foreign workers (mainly from Thailand).
  • In exchange for those let out, Israel has released some 240 terrorists from prison and granted a six-day ceasefire. Terrorists released as part of the deal were all women, and under-18 minors, most serving sentences for attempted murder, stabbings, stone-throwing, and other terror attacks. Prominent Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi was among the 30 prisoners freed by Israel yesterday.
  • There are still around 139 hostages in Gaza, (including 14 women and 4 children) although not all may be alive.
  • Hamas has suggested that some members of the Bibas family are no longer alive, although this has not been confirmed. Kfir Bibas, now nine months old was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his 4-year-old brother Ariel and parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32.
  • Additional details continue to emerge about the harsh conditions under which hostages were, and are, being kept. Food was severely limited (often to less than one pita per day per hostage), and many were beaten by their captors.
  • See these stories of some of the hostages who have been released:
  • Released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, revealed in an interview that she met Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in a tunnel during her time in Gaza — and was not afraid to tell him what she thought. “Sinwar was with us three days after we got there. I asked him how he wasn’t ashamed of himself, for doing such a thing to people who for years supported peace. He didn’t answer. He was quiet.”
  • After hours of anxious waiting, dozens of members of Kibbutz Be’eri shouted for joy Wednesday night as they watched footage of six hostages from their kibbutz among 10 coming home to Israel after being held captive in Gaza by Hamas for the last 54 days.
  • One of the hostages, recently released from Gaza, revealed on Wednesday that he was held for nearly 50 days in an attic by a teacher from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
  • Still-captive hostage Shani Goren took care of Eitan Yahami while in captivity.
  • Gali Tarshansky, 13, who was returned last night, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists from her home on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. Gali was in the family’s safe room with her brother, Lior, 15, and their father, Ilya, when Hamas terrorists entered and killed Lior, as Gali and Ilya jumped out of the window. Ilya survived and was not taken captive.
  • The Times of Israel: Hamas hostage releases are a daily mix of horror and relief. And this is the easy part
  • See these stories of hostages still being held in captivity.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

 

  • Israel is now continuing its war on Hamas. Watch this video of the IDF Chief of Staff planning the next stages of fighting.
  • While not officially party to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah, as an ally of Hamas has also held fire from the north. An exception to this came yesterday as a drone crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon, sounding sirens in towns along the border. The IDF shot down the drone.

 

International Response

 

  • US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told members of Congress that the White House isn’t seeking conditions on aid to Israel. Several progressive Democrats have called for conditioning aid to Israel, as the civilian casualty figures in Gaza increase.
  • Meanwhile, an American destroyer shot down a drone headed for Israel on Thursday that was launched from a part of Yemen controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The US military’s Central Command stated, “At approximately 1100 (Sanaa time), while in the South Red Sea, the Arleigh-Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) shot down an Iranian-produced KAS04 unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.”
  • U.S. Senators have been left silent, after viewing shocking footage of the October 7 massacres.
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the first time called for an investigation into allegations of sexual violence committed during the October 7 Hamas massacres. He said that “There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere.”
  • Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan addressed the UN Security Council on Wednesday and said, “This war can end tomorrow, even today. If Hamas returns all of the hostages and turns in all the terrorists who took part in the massacre, a real ceasefire can be achieved that will last decades. Demand this of Hamas. This is the solution.” Read his full remarks.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Watch this JDC video about the multitudes of volunteers working in agriculture to save crops during the current war.
  • Tamar Kam was shot in the stomach by Hamas and her boyfriend was killed as they took shelter in a kibbutz apartment after escaping the Nova Music Festival massacre. Now, she is receiving support from The Jewish Agency's Fund for Victims of Terror as she recovers.
  • Caregivers like Edita Umila from the Philippines often faced dilemmas about whether to save themselves or save their employers. Watch the moving video.
  • Magen David Adom, a recipient of Jewish Federations allocations, has been at the forefront of saving lives during the current war. Watch more.

 

Further Reading

Additional Resources

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats here.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here

Jewish Federations

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: November 29, 2023

The Latest

 

Since October 7 :

  • 1,225 Israelis have been killed, including 395 soldiers.
  • 88 hostages have been freed, but 155 remain in captivity.
  • 10,500 rockets have been fired at Israeli civilian targets.
  • 9,038 Israelis have been injured.

Hostages

 

  • As part of the hostage-release deal, 88 hostages have been freed from Hamas captivity in five groups over the last five days and reunited with their families in Israel. An additional 10 Israelis will be released tonight. Additionally, two hostages with Russian citizenship, and possibly Israeli citizenship, will be released in a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • The hostages set free so far have mainly been young children, their mothers, elderly women, and foreign workers (mainly from Thailand).
  • In exchange for those let out, Israel has released some 210 terrorists from prison and granted a six-day ceasefire. Terrorists released as part of the deal were all women, and under-18 minors, most serving sentences for attempted murder, stabbings, and other terror attacks.
  • There are still 155 hostages in Gaza, including 9 children.
  • One of the children is Kfir Bibas, now nine months old. Kfir has spent a fifth of his life in captivity. He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his 4-year-old brother Ariel and parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32.
  • The White House has confirmed that nine American citizens remain in captivity.
  • After the initial exchange of 50 hostages for 150 terrorists and a four-day ceasefire, the agreement has been extended by two days and may be further prolonged by four days. According to the terms, releasing more hostages prompts the release of three terrorists per hostage, and every ten hostages released result in an extra day of ceasefire from Israel.
  • While most hostages were returned in reasonably good health, many are suffering from malnutrition, and have spoken of harsh conditions and the psychological warfare waged against them.
  • Reports emerge that most hostages were kept in the darkness causing them to lose track of day and night without seeing daylight for almost two months.
  • One hostage, 12-year-old Eytan Yahalomi, witnessed his father being killed on October 7 before he was kidnapped alone. During captivity, Hamas terrorists beat Yahalomi and forced him at gunpoint to watch footage taken by them as they were massacring Israelis in his kibbutz.
  • One 9-year-old girl lost all track of time and upon release was certain that she had been held for a year.
  • A number of the children released from captivity, including 9-year-old Irish-Israeli Emily Hand, are only speaking in whispers and have not yet acclimated to being able to speak in a normal voice. Hostages are reporting that any time children spoke loudly, Hamas terrorists aimed rifles at them.
  • Most adults lost 30-40 pounds due to lack of food.
  • Nonetheless, Hamas attempts a positive image by releasing hostages on camera, featuring gentle treatment and instructing children to wave. One hostage was forced to thank Hamas.
  • Elma Avraham, 84, who was returned to Israel in critical condition on Sunday night after her release, has now been taken off a ventilator and her health is continuing to improve.
  • See these stories of some of the hostages who have been released:
  • Adina Moshe, 72, was the first hostage released on Friday. A resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, she was kidnapped on October 7th while her husband was murdered. In a widely-viewed video, even after weeks in captivity, Adina was shown swatting away the hand of a Hamas terrorist during her transfer to the Red Cross. She told her family that until that moment she thought she was being taken to her execution and that she had been held underground for the duration of the fifty days in captivity.
  • Ohad Munder, 9, marked his birthday in Hamas captivity as was reported by NBC News. He was released along with his mother and grandmother but his grandfather remains in captivity. The IDF released footage from the helicopter voyage taking him to safety. In an Israeli hospital, he was able to celebrate his birthday with friends, including a visit from his favorite soccer team, Hapoel Beer Sheva.
  • Yaffa Adar, 85, was one of the more well-known hostages, as a result of images of her being taken captive to Gaza on a golf cart. Her family recalled the story surrounding the events of October 7th.
  • Hagar, 40, Ofri, 10, Yuval, 9, and Oriya Brodutch, 4 were released on Sunday. Their father Avichai was interviewed by ABC News in October describing how he felt like he won the lottery after finding out that his family was kidnapped and not dead. The image of him reunited with his family alongside a picture taken several weeks ago of him alone is being widely shared on social media. 
  • Jimmy Pacheco is a Filipino caregiver who was released. He lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz where he cared for Amitai Ben Zvi, 80 who was killed in the attack. Ben Zvi’s daughter had written, “Jimmy had been working in Israel for five years, caring for Amitai Ben Zvi for the last four years, serving his employer with “quiet, admirable devotion, always attentive to his needs and supportive in countless ways.” Following his release and reports of his remarkable dedication, the Israeli government said it would provide lifetime benefits and stipends for Pacheco.

Israel Defense Forces Operations



  • As part of the hostage deal, Israel has paused operations in Gaza. The deal also includes six hours per day when Israel suspends drone movement over Gaza.
  • Nonetheless, several soldiers were lightly wounded on Tuesday in a Hamas attack which appeared to be the first serious violation of the temporary pause in fighting. Three explosive devices were detonated near forces at two separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip. The army said that in one of the incidents, gunfire was also directed at troops, who returned fire.
  • The IDF says that it will continue its war on Hamas, to eliminate the terror organization, as soon as the ceasefire expires.
  • The IDF announced the deaths of three soldiers from the Hamas attack of October 7 and said that their bodies are being held by the terror group in Gaza. The three soldiers were initially believed to have been kidnapped and were classified as such by the IDF. However, after examining new evidence, the military determined that they had been killed on the day of the attack, making them “fallen soldiers held hostage by a terror group.”
  • The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 13,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

International Response

 

  • The US military has also paused its flights of surveillance drones over Gaza during the truce. The Pentagon announced that, “In compliance with the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, we are not currently conducting (drone) flights. And so those have been paused for now.”
  • For the second time in a week, an official Qatari plane landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Tuesday morning. Israel and Qatar do not have diplomatic relations but have held close meetings in recent weeks, with the Gulf state playing a crucial role in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the deal to release hostages.
  • Following weeks of criticism over its silence about evidence of sexual violence during the attack, the women’s rights group UN Women issued a statement condemning the terror group on Friday. Sadly, the group deleted the post shortly afterward. “We condemn the brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7 and continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” read the initial statement, posted on UN Women’s Instagram page. It was soon replaced with a statement that dropped the condemnation of Hamas and only called for the release of the hostages.
  • A ship dispatched by France has docked off the coast of El Arish in Egypt’s northern Sinai and will serve as a floating hospital for Palestinian civilians wounded in the Israel-Hamas war in adjacent Gaza. The Dixmude contains 40 hospital beds and is also equipped with a helicopter landing pad to allow for the speedy transfer of patients from Egypt’s Rafah crossing with Gaza, onto the ship.

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • Read about Aviv Baram, who died defending his home in Kfar Aza on October 7, and watch the difficult video of his father (who worked for the Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror) speaking about him.
  • A powerful interview on CNN with a woman whose father was murdered on October 7, and now has seen six family members freed.
  • Watch this video about JDC’s unique trauma therapy tool, “Hibbuki.”
  • Eritrean national, and foreign worker, Mulugeta Tsagi received permanent residency status in Israel on Sunday in appreciation for saving the life of an Israeli soldier on Oct. 7. Tsagi administered life-saving first aid to an IDF officer shot by Hamas terrorists in Sderot, and then stayed with the officer for several hours until he finally reached a hospital.
  • Role Reversal: The evacuated residents of Sa’ad, on the Gaza border, have been living at the Nevo Hotel these past seven weeks. The evacuees have been so taken by the service, warmth, and love shown to them by the hotel’s employees that they organized to swap roles and prepare a special meal for the employees. The evacuees prepared and cooked the meal, decorated the hall, served the food, and applauded the workers.
  • Diaspora Jewry has raised $750 million to aid Israel’s post-war recovery efforts, according to a joint Knesset meeting on Monday by the Economy and Aliyah, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs committees in the Knesset.

Further Reading

Additional Resources

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats.
  • Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federtions update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

Jewish Federations



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 27, 2023

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Join a JDC Webinar, focusing on the organization’s efforts to respond to the current crisis: Wednesday, November 29th at noon (ET). Register here.
  • Arab and Jewish Israelis joint responses: Join this webinar to hear from Shira Ohana and Hanan Alsanah about inspiring joint emergency responses from the earliest days of the war, and what they are doing today to preserve a shared future for all residents of the Negev. November 28, 12 noon ET. Register here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Hostage Release

 

  • As part of a deal negotiated by Qatar (with assistance from the United States and Egypt) 39 Israeli hostages have now been released from Hamas captivity and have been reunited with their families in Israel, in three separate groups, over the last three days.
  • The hostages set free have mainly been young children, their mothers, and elderly women. In addition, one young man with dual Israeli-Russian citizenship, Roni Krivoi, was released as a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Krivoi initially managed to escape from Hamas and hide in Gaza for four days before being recaptured. Krivoi had initially been held in a building that ended up collapsing as a result of IDF airstrikes and then managed to make it out and flee. He then hid alone for several days, but Gazan residents captured him and returned him to Hamas.
  • As well as the Israeli hostages, some 18 foreign laborers, mainly from Thailand, have also been released, while 15 more Thai workers remain captive.
  • An additional set of 11 hostages may be released later today.
  • In exchange for those let out, Israel has released 117 terrorists from prison and granted a four-day ceasefire. Those released were all women and under-18 minors, many serving sentences for attempted murder, stabbings, and other terror attacks.
  • If Hamas agrees to release additional prisoners, Israel will let out three imprisoned terrorists for every hostage, as well as grant an additional day of ceasefire for every 10 hostages let go.
  • While each release has been received with immense joy; celebrations are often bittersweet. Almost all of the hostages still have immediate family members being held in Gaza, and most have come out to discover that loved ones had been killed on October 7.
  • Despite the hostage deal stipulating that minors would be released together with their mothers, Hila Rotem, 13 years old, returned Saturday night from captivity alone. She told Israeli media today that her mother was present with her during the entire period of captivity, except for the last two days. “Hamas separated us two days before the liberation,” she said.
  • Most hostages have been released in reasonable health, although many had lost considerable weight. See emerging details on their conditions in captivity.
  • Nonetheless, one of the hostages, 84-year-old Elma Avraham, was returned in critical condition and is now fighting for her life in Beer Sheba’s Soroka hospital. Her family says that she was not given critical medications during her captivity and was mistreated.
  • Israel has said that the last-minute confusion, stalling, misinformation and uncertainty surrounding each release is a psychological warfare tactic being used by Hamas.
  • See more in “Stories,” below.
  • new opinion poll shows that the majority of Israelis see the release of the hostages as the number one goal of the war, followed by toppling Hamas.

 

Israel Defense Forces Operations

 

  • As part of the hostage deal, Israel has paused all operations in Gaza. The deal also includes six hours per day when Israel suspends drone movement over Gaza.
  • The IDF says that it will continue its war on Hamas, to eliminate the terror organization, as soon as the ceasefire expires.
  • Hamas announced on Sunday that the IDF eliminated the Commander of the Northern Brigade Ahmad Al Ghandour and the Commander of the Rocket Division Ayman Siam a few weeks ago. Al Ghandour was one of the senior members of the terrorist organization, and leader of the armed forces in one of five regions in Gaza, and has been in his position for at least 18 years, and is a key personality in the organization’s hierarchy. See more here.
  • Just before the cease-fire took effect, the IDF confirmed that it had arrested the director of Shifa Hospital. The IDF said that the director was apprehended and taken in for questioning following evidence showing that the Hospital, under his direct management, served as a Hamas command and control center. An underground tunnel and numerous supply caches belonging to Hamas have been located in the hospital since the IDF entered the building last week. IDF footage of the building proves that the terrorists made their way to the hospital, bringing the hostages with them. The attack itself, it is believed, was planned in the hospital. The IDF has since published additional footage from some of the tunnels under the hospital, including blast doors, command centers, functional sinks and restrooms, and evidence that the hostages were held there for some time.
  • Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza yesterday, where he received security briefings with commanders and soldiers and visited one of the tunnels that has been uncovered. "We are here in the Gaza Strip with our heroic soldiers. We are making every effort to return our hostages, and in the end, we will return them all. We have three goals in this war: Eliminate Hamas, return all of our hostages, and ensure that Gaza will not go back to being a threat to the State of Israel. I am here to tell the soldiers, who all tell me the same thing, and I repeat it to you, citizens of Israel: We are continuing until the end – until victory. Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the force, the strength, the will, and the determination to achieve all of our goals for the war, and this is what we will do.” See more here.
  • The IDF coordinated the entry of 200 trucks of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, 42 of which were loaded with shelter equipment (see photos). As part of this aid, some 3,600 tons of tents, blankets, and mattresses have been transferred to the civilian population ahead of the winter. Over 2,000 trucks have entered the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, transferring water, food, supplies, and medical equipment.
  • While Hezbollah is not a formal party to the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese terror group has also refrained from firing rockets at Israel since the deal began.
  • The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 13,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

International Response

 

  • US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with relatives of the 4-year-old Israeli-American who was released from Hamas captivity. Avigail Idan was freed on Sunday, over 50 days after Hamas terrorists murdered her parents in Kibbutz Kfar Azza. Idan saw her mother Smadar killed in front of her and then ran to her father Roee who shielded her with his body as terrorists shot him dead. She then ran to a neighbor’s home, where she was kidnapped along with the others inside.
  • Israel’s President Isaac Herzog today welcomed President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier who is making a solidarity visit to Israel. The German Chancellor visited Israel on a similar mission last month.
  • The Prime Minister of Ireland has been widely condemned for tweeting that the Israeli hostage children were “lost” and had now been “found,” as opposed to “kidnapped.” Read more.
  • Tech leader and X owner Elon Musk arrived in Israel today to meet with Israeli politicians and victims of the October 7 attacks. Musk visited by Kibbutz Kfar Azza - among the worst hit on October 7 – together with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Musk was shown some of the horrors of the Hamas attack and visited the home of the Israeli-American toddler Avigail Idan, 4, who was kidnapped to Gaza and was released yesterday as part of the hostage deal.

Stories Of Heartbreak, Heroism And Hope

 

  • See details, photos, and moving videos of hostages being reunited with their families.
  • Nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand was among those released. Due to confusion, her family had originally been told that she had been killed. Read more.
  • More than 17,000 babies have been born in Israel since October 7, many given names like “Yisrael Chai,” (Israel Lives). There have also been 45 called “Be’eri” (named after the Kibbutz that was hit so hard that day), and 3 called “Nova,” after the Rave where hundreds of young people were murdered. Read more.
  • Watch here as released hostages Ohad Monder (aged 9), his mother Keren, and his grandmother Ruthie are reunited with Ohad’s father at an Israeli hospital.
  • Read about HaOgen, an Israeli organization supporting families of those reserve soldiers called up during the current war. HaOgen has received funding from the Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Fund.
  • Watch as Doron Asher and her two toddler girls, Aviv (2.5) and Raz (4.5), released from Hamas captivity on Friday night, are reunited with the family’s father Yoni.

Further Reading

 

  • Op-ed by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “If Hamas and Iran win, the rest of the civilized world is next.”
  • Read Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog’s opinion piece in Newsweek, expressing the sense of outrage and betrayal over the international community's failure to condemn the use of gender-based sexual violence by Hamas. The op-ed was published ahead of this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and following the widespread testimonies and evidence of rape and molestation of dozens of women by Hamas terrorists in the attack on Israel on October 7.
  • See this background on the legal aspects of hostage exchanges.
  • Read more about the relationship between Hamas and Iran.

Additional Resources

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats.
  • Volunteering: Read this update from Jewish Federations on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read about the work that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Previous updates can be found here.

JEWISH FEDERATIONS



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: November 22, 2023

A note on these updates: Due to Thanksgiving, there will be no update tomorrow or the next day. As of next week, we will move to a three-times-per-week format, with updates typically to be sent out on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable Thanksgiving, and praying for the release of the hostages, the safety of the soldiers, and peaceful times for all.

 

The Latest:

 

Overnight, the Israeli government voted to approve a limited hostage deal with Hamas, brokered by Qatar, with assistance from the US, Egypt, and others:

 

  • Following a marathon eight-hour meeting, Israel’s government voted late last night to approve a deal that would enable a limited hostage exchange. See details below.
  • From recent polling research by Jewish Federations: 72% of public supports humanitarian pause for hostage release; only 20% want unconditional ceasefire. Read more.
  • Hamas will release at least 50 women and children, and will not release children without their mothers. A full list of those being released will be provided by Hamas tonight (Wednesday evening, Israel Time). The hostages will be released at a rate of 12-15 each day for four days, with the first set likely to come out on Thursday.
  • The 50 slated for release include 30 children, eight mothers, and twelve elderly women whose lives are considered to be at risk. Read more here about the children.
  • All 50 hold Israeli citizenship. Nonetheless, there are reports that, separately from this deal, Hamas will also release some Thai captives, 
  • In exchange, Israel will release 150 terrorists from a list of 300. None will have been convicted of murder. The vast majority, 287 of the 300, are males aged 18 and under; most of them are being held for rioting and rock-throwing in the West Bank or East Jerusalem. The other thirteen prisoners are adult women, most of them convicted of attempted terror stabbings.
  • Israel will also agree to a four-day ceasefire.
  • During the cease-fire, Hamas will also try to locate some 30 other hostages (children and their mothers) being held by other groups. For each of these hostages who is let go, Israel will release three additional terrorists. For every ten additional hostages released, Israel will grant an additional day of the ceasefire.
  • The ratio of one Israeli to three Palestinian terrorists is meager. Gilad Shalit, the captured Israeli soldier, was exchanged for more than 1000 Hamas prisoners (many of whom had been convicted of multiple murders). See a table of previous deals here.
  • Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu described the deal as “difficult, but correct.” The IDF, the Mossad, and the GSS (Shin Bet), all approved of the deal.
  • Also in the agreement, Hamas will allow representatives from the Red Cross to visit the hostages who will remain in captivity and supply them with medicine. In addition, fuel can enter Gaza during the pause in the fighting.
  • The deal was first approved by the Inner Security Cabinet (comprising Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Galant, and Minister Gantz, with Ministers Dermer and Eizenkot observing), then by the full security cabinet, and then, finally, by a meeting of the entire government. In the last meeting, discussions and heated debates over the deal continued for more than eight hours. Ultimately, Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party voted against the deal, while Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism and all other coalition party members voted in favor.
  • Israel’s President Isaac Herzog stated, “The reservations are understandable, painful, and difficult, but given the circumstances I back and support the decision of the Prime Minister and the Government to move forward with the deal to release hostages. This is a moral and ethical duty that correctly expresses the Jewish and Israeli value of securing the freedom of those held captive, with the hope that it will be the first step in returning all the hostages home. The State of Israel, the IDF, and all the security forces will continue to act in every way possible to achieve this goal, alongside the restoration of the absolute security of the citizens of Israel."
  • The Almagor Terror Victims Association says that it will now file a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice against the deal.
  • “I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” US President Joe Biden said after the vote.
  • Read here the behind-the-scenes story of the negotiations that led to the deal.
  • For 46 days, a refugee Kfar Aza family ‘sits shiva’ for their dead and awaits their hostages. Read more here.
  • Read more about the Nova Music Festival rave, and the massacre that took place on October 7, here.
  • Carolin Bohl, 22 was a German student who wanted to make the world better through art. She was killed by Hamas on October 7 at Kibbutz Nir Oz while on holiday with her boyfriend. Read more here.
  • 69 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 389 soldiers since October 7. See a list of all soldiers that have fallen (with details, in Hebrew) in this war, here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, despite almost daily barrages.

 

In the north, rocket and other fire by Hezbollah continues at a steady pace, as do Israel’s retaliations against Hezbollah. Hezbollah has fired more than 1,000 rockets and other projectiles at Israel since fighting began on October 7.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

Despite the upcoming cease-fire (see below), the IDF is continuing to operate in Gaza, with ground forces clashing with Hamas terrorists, and strikes being carried out against the group’s infrastructure. The truce has not yet gone into effect. Overnight, troops raided Sheikh Za’id, near Jabaliya. They destroyed several Hamas observation posts and also attacked in the Beit Hanoun area, where they found a weapons cache inside a home. The Navy also carried out strikes against Hamas sites along the coast, including against a residential building from where Hamas snipers had opened fire at ground forces. See the video here, and photos here, as well as video footage of the IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi addressing troops here.

The IDF announced that in fighting since the ground war began, it has exposed and destroyed approximately 400 terror tunnel shafts. See video footage of the destruction of tunnel shafts here.

See here for new details, provided by the IDF, about how Hamas operates inside hospitals.

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 13,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.

International Response

In another sign of deep, ongoing US involvement in the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel again early next week, making his latest of multiple visits since October 7.

 

Newly appointed British Foreign Minister (and former Prime Minister) David Cameron welcomed the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, saying, “This agreement is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I urge all parties to ensure the agreement is delivered in full.”

 

France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna said, “We hope that there will be French people among the first batch of hostages to be released.”

 

In Russia, the Kremlin praised the ceasefire agreement as the “first good news for a long time,” and said that humanitarian pauses were the only way to build efforts for a sustainable settlement.

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • In this heartbreaking photo, see the mother of Yonatan Samo, a soldier who fell in battle last week, listen to her son’s heart beating after it was transplanted, following his death, into the body of Yaakov Malka, a father of four.
  • The first wave out of 7,000 foreign doctors wanting to help amid the war has arrived in Israel. See more here. Federations are helping support this effort through the collective emergency campaign.
  • Yisrael Atlow, who is currently serving as a reservist, thought he was heading for a 24-hour break from the army. To his surprise, when he arrived, he was met with a surprise wedding planned by his fiancé. His entire unit attended the wedding, where Atlow wore his uniform instead of the suit he had planned. In an interview with Channel 13, his now-wife, Anna, was asked how she managed to keep the wedding a secret, to which she responded, “He wasn’t reachable. He didn’t have a phone. It was easy.” Atlow reflected on the celebration, saying, “We have a lot of pain in our nation right now, but we need joy. And that is what we are doing here.” See here.
  • One reserve soldier tweeted in Hebrew that, “The sweetest hour on Reserve Duty is between 7:00 and 8:00pm when all the reserve soldiers are on the phone, putting their kids to bed.”
  • An Israeli Orthodox mother of 10 worked for 12 hours to rescue young people from the rave on October 7. See here.

Additional Background Reading

 

 

Additional Resources

 

  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats here.
  • Arab and Jewish Israelis joint responses: Join this webinar on Tuesday, November 28 at noon ET to hear from Shira Ohana and Hanan Alsanah about inspiring joint emergency responses from the earliest days of the war. They will report on what they are doing to preserve a shared future for all residents of the Negev. Register here.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

 

Update: November 21, 2023

The Latest:

 

  • 68 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 388 soldiers since October 7. See a list of all soldiers who have fallen (with details, in Hebrew) in this war, here. Vered Benvenisti, who tragically lost her father and then her brother in previous Israeli wars, has now lost her son, who fell in battle in Gaza last night.
  • Reports continue of an imminent deal on some hostages. Commenting on a possible agreement, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, “We’re closer now than we’ve been before.” According to many media outlets, the deal will likely involve the freeing of around 50 hostages (comprised of women, children, and non-Israeli nationals) in exchange for an unknown number of Hamas prisoners, alongside a 3-5 day ceasefire.
  • The IDF announced that the residents of the Gaza Envelope in communities that are located within four kilometers or more from the Gaza Strip can now return home, although, for many, their houses have been destroyed. Yesterday, media circulated a photo of the reopened dining hall at Kibbutz Be’eri.
  • See details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats here.
  • Webinar: "Key Concepts in Zionism and the History of Israel." Join Rabbi Mike Uram, Chief Jewish Learning Officer of JFNA, today, Tuesday, November 21 at 3 pm ET to unpack Israel’s history and gain a better understanding of the key features of Israel and Zionism. No prior knowledge is needed; questions of all kinds are encouraged. To learn more and register, click here.
  • Arab and Jewish Israelis joint responses: Join this webinar to hear from Shira Ohana and Hanan Alsanah about inspiring joint emergency responses from the earliest days of the war, and what they are doing today to preserve a shared future for all residents of the Negev. November 28, 12 noon ET. Register here.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

As the ground operation progresses, the IDF has completed the encirclement of Jabaliya in northern Gaza. It says that heavy strikes were carried out by artillery and air force units in the area to “prepare the ground for battle.” On the outskirts of Jabaliya, three tunnel entrances were struck with Hamas operatives inside.

 

The military also found and destroyed rocket launchers nearby. See footage here of the IDF operating around Jabaliya, and see photos here.

 

The IDF also carried out airstrikes against an additional 250 Hamas targets over the past day and hit terrorists, rocket launchers, and military infrastructure. Troops continue to discover large quantities of weapons hidden in civilian locations including in mosques, and even one anti-tank missile was even found under the mattress of a baby’s crib). See the photos here and the video here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, presumably due to Hamas’ diminished capabilities. However, following one barrage last night, a 54-year-old woman was pronounced dead after she collapsed while running to a shelter in the center of the country.

In the north, rocket and other fire by Hezbollah continues at a steady pace, as do Israel’s retaliations against Hezbollah. Hezbollah has fired more than 1,000 rockets and other projectiles at Israel since fighting began on October 7.

 

Meanwhile, 29 premature Palestinian babies arrived in Egypt yesterday after they were evacuated from Shifa Hospital. The babies were transported across the border, a day after they were evacuated from Gaza’s largest hospital, which has become a focal point of fighting. The infants were evacuated with Israeli assistance after troops took control of the hospital over the weekend (see video here). Also yesterday, the first Jordanian field hospital was set up in southern Gaza. See here footage of a captured Palestinian giving information about Hamas’ use of hospitals.

 

It has also been revealed that two weeks ago, two Hamas terrorists were arrested in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat, after having apparently hidden out in the town for a month following their part in the attacks of October 7.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 13,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

The Home Front

After meeting with the families of the hostages, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed his commitment to securing their release, calling it “a sacred and supreme mission.” He said, “We will not let up until they are returned, and this is the responsibility of me and the war cabinet. I listened to the pain of the families. We spoke heart to heart. I shared with them as much as I could about the diplomatic, intelligence, and operational efforts we are leading around the clock… We will not stop fighting until we bring our hostages home, destroy Hamas, and ensure there will no longer be a threat from Gaza.”

 

The country continues to mourn the victims of the massacre of October 7 and soldiers who have fallen in the fighting; and to demand the return of the hostages:

 

  • In London, the father of Hamas hostage Emily Hand (who turned 9 in captivity last week) pleads, ‘Help me bring her home.’ See here.
  • Watch this video footage from the dashboard of a truck belonging to Oz Davidian, a farmer from the area near the Gaza border who rescued some 120 young people trying to escape the rave on October 7. Davidian made 20 trips between Re’im and his moshav (a 9-mile journey), under fire, taking a different route each time to try to avoid the terrorists.
  • Ori Danino, 25, is presumed captive from the rave. Danino and a friend each left the party in separate vehicles, filling their cars with as many people as possible to help them escape the terrorists. At one point, Danino asked his friend for the phone number of people they had just met at the party, telling him that he was going to go back and save them. That was the last time his friend heard from him. Read more here.
  • A new settlement to be built in the Negev was chosen to be named after Ofir Liebstein, the former head of the Saar Negev Regional Council, who was murdered during the October 7 massacre while trying to save the lives of his neighbors. The decision was made by the prime minister and the housing minister with the intention of "honoring the memory of our friend. It is still hard to comprehend that he is not at our table."
  • Read here about Matan Rosenberg, 17, who was murdered by Hamas on October 7 near Kibbutz Nirim.



Israel’s coalition government has announced that it will advance legislation to enshrine the status of Israel’s Druze community, amid the climbing death toll among Druze soldiers in the current war. Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior figures suggested they would find a way to complement the 2018 Basic Law: Nation-State of the Jewish People, which the Druze community says marginalizes them. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and coalition whip Ofir Katz, both of Likud, said the following over the weekend, “In the coming days, we will promote a draft Basic Law for the Druze community, which aims to anchor the important status of the Druze community in the State of Israel.”

International Response

Roughly 300 UN diplomats attended a screening at UN headquarters in New York of footage showing atrocities on October 7. The screening of the 40-minute video, compiled by the IDF and featuring uncensored, difficult-to-watch scenes, many taken from Hamas terrorists’ bodycams, was organized by the Israeli Mission to the United Nations. While the footage will not be released publicly, Israeli diplomats have been holding special screenings for journalists, members of parliaments, diplomats, and other influential personalities

.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a UN protectorate involving US and Arab forces remaining in Gaza for a transitional period after the war.

 

International Committee of the Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric met yesterday with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar. Following the meeting, the Red Cross issued a statement that read, “The ICRC has persistently called for the immediate release of hostages. The ICRC is insisting that our teams be allowed to visit the hostages to check on their welfare and deliver medications, and for the hostages to be able to communicate with their families. Agreements must be reached that allow the ICRC to safely carry out this work. The ICRC cannot force its way in to where hostages are held, nor do we know their location. The ICRC does not take part in negotiations leading to the release of hostages. As a neutral humanitarian intermediary, we remain ready to facilitate any future release that the parties to the conflict agree to, as ICRC staff have already done on two occasions.”

 

Dramatic footage has been released of Houthi rebels from Yemen seizing a ship in the Red Sea that they say is Israeli-owned. According to Israel, the ship is British-owned and Japanese-run, and no members of the crew are Israeli.

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy is developing a strong fan following due to his articulate answers in international media. See his latest interview here.
  • Two couples in Israel were celebrating weddings in adjacent halls when rocket sirens interrupted the festivities. Both families gathered in a bomb shelter - but didn't allow it to ruin the atmosphere. Instead, they continued the celebration together in the shelter, in a perfect showcase of Israeli resilience amidst hardship. Watch here.
  • A touching family reunion unfolded when a father, who had been on reserve duty for over five weeks, surprised his daughter Noga on her 13th birthday. He arrived with a cake in the middle of his daughter’s classmates singing her “Happy Birthday.” While her dad has been away serving the country, Noga has been doing her part as well, preparing care packages for soldiers. Watch the special moment here.
  • Cindy Seni of Netflix’s “Jewish Matchmaking” married her fiancé Eldad, surrounded by 50 close friends and family. (Read more about Cindy on the show here). When the war broke out, exactly one month before her planned wedding date, she struggled with whether to proceed, writing on Instagram: “When the war hit, nothing seemed less important than my wedding. Joy was a commodity we couldn’t afford anymore.” Ultimately, she chose to celebrate her wedding as an act of defiance against Hamas, hoping it would be a “ray of hope and joy in the darkest hour.” Watch here.

 

Additional Background Reading

 

Additional Resources

 

  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

Jewish Federations

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground and is in close contact with both the Government of Israel and with the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 20, 2023

The Latest:

  • As the ground war continues, Israel has uncovered extensive tunnels under the Shifa Hospital, with concrete evidence that hostages were held there. Israel has also recovered several bodies of hostages at the hospital who were likely killed by Hamas. See the map here.
  • 67 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 387 soldiers since October 7. See a list of all soldiers that have fallen (with details, in Hebrew) in this war, here.
  • Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis have hijacked a ship in the Red Sea they claim is Israeli. According to Israel, the ship is British-owned and Japanese-run, and the international crew does not include any Israeli citizens. Read more here.
  • Watch a special message from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to global Jewish communities.
  • See details on these developments, and more, below.

 

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations have now raised a total of more than $659 million system-wide and allocated close to $200 million to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel. See our impact stats here.
  • Webinar: Key Concepts in Zionism and the History of Israel: Join Rabbi Mike Uram, Chief Jewish Learning Officer of JFNA, on Tuesday, November 21 at 3 pm ET to unpack Israel’s history and gain a better understanding of the key features of Israel and Zionism. No prior knowledge is needed; questions of all kinds are encouraged. To learn more and register, click here.
  • Arab and Jewish Israelis joint responses: Join this webinar to hear from Shira Ohana and Hanan Alsanah about inspiring joint emergency responses from the earliest days of the war, and what they are doing today to preserve a shared future for all residents of the Negev. November 28, 12 noon ET. Register here.
  • March: Close to 300,000 people of all faiths and backgrounds thronged the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the March for Israel, which featured political leaders from both parties, family members of hostages, students from campuses that are experiencing antisemitism, top Israeli and American entertainers, and many more. The event, which also attracted a quarter-million viewers on the livestream, was featured in worldwide media. Watch the interview that Eric Fingerhut did with CNN This Morning in advance of the rally. During the rally, Board Chair Julie Platt declared on Fox News that turnout “far exceeded our wildest dreams.” And read here, a personal account of the march by the Jerusalem Post’s Editor in Chief, Avi Mayer.
  • Volunteering: Read this updated Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. The CMC is also holding a training on Tuesday, November 28 from noon to 1 pm ET on combating antisemitism in the K-12 education space. Click here to register.
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

As the ground operation progresses (see footage here), Israeli forces continue to find weapons that Hamas has kept in civilian locations. Over the weekend, IDF forces engaged terrorists in a fierce battle that took place inside a high school, after which the military discovered large amounts of weapons of all types and ammunition on site. Also, for the first time since fighting began, a mixed-gender IDF unit has been operating in Gaza. Watch the unit’s commander here, and see footage of the unit’s rescue operations here.

 

The Director of Gaza’s Shifa Hospital has requested the IDF’s assistance in evacuating patients from the hospital. Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry says 30 premature babies have been evacuated from Shifa and will be transferred to medical facilities in Egypt. The Israeli military has provided humanitarian aid to the hospital and will assist in evacuating patients. Some patients who cannot be moved will remain in the hospital with medical staff and will not be harmed. The IDF has announced that contrary to some reports, it did not order the hospital to evacuate. Rather, the decision was made by hospital management. See photos here of food and water being delivered to the hospital by Israeli troops.

 

Meanwhile, Israel disclosed a video showing Hamas bringing two foreign hostages, a Thai man and a Nepalese man, to Shifa Hospital on October 7. One video shows a group of Hamas terrorists dragging a man into one of the hospital entrances, clearly against his will (since he openly resists), although he is overpowered. Another video shows a man on a stretcher who appears to have been badly wounded. (Although faces are blurred here, the men’s identities can be made out in the original footage). The videos were obtained by internal hospital CCTV footage (see still photos here). In addition, the terrorists are seen entering Shifa on a captured IDF military jeep (see photos here). Besides these videos, the IDF has also shown (see video here and map here) that it found bodies of Israelis killed on October 7, including pathology evidence that 19-year-old Israeli hostage, Noa Marciano, was killed at the hospital. Earlier, the IDF had revealed that Noa’s injury was not life-threatening and that she was murdered by a Hamas terrorist at Shifa.

 

CNN team was escorted into the area around the hospital leading the news channel to report, “It is arguably the most compelling evidence thus far that the IDF has offered that there may be a network of tunnels below the hospital.” 

 

Israeli troops have also raided the homes of senior Hamas officials in Gaza City’s upscale Rimal neighborhood and battled operatives in the area. Soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade, tanks, and combat engineers, with air support, are battling Hamas in Rimal, as well as in the Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood, and are working to locate Hamas infrastructure. Much of Rimal, once one of the Strip’s most expensive neighborhoods and home to many senior Hamas leaders, has been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. The military has located some 35 tunnel shafts, dozens of weapons, and seven rocket launchers in the two neighborhoods; they have also killed several Hamas operatives. See the footage here.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 12,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

The Home Front

While reports persist of an imminent deal on some hostages, no formal announcement has yet been made. According to many media outlets, the deal will likely involve the freeing of around 50 hostages (comprised of women, children, and non-Israeli nationals) in exchange for an unknown number of Hamas prisoners, alongside a three to five day ceasefire.

 

The country continues to mourn the victims of the massacre of October 7 and soldiers who have fallen in the fighting; and to demand the return of the hostages:

 

  • Aryeh Zalmanovich, an 85-year-old founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was taken hostage on October 7. Hamas released a video showing Aryeh still alive but then announced that he had died. The circumstances of his death, like that of other hostages who are known to have died, remain unclear.
  • Read the story of Yuval Baron and Moshe Shuva, an engaged couple who were planning to wed next February. Yuval had already purchased her wedding dress. The two were murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova Rave. 
  • 22-year-old Clemens Felix Matanga who lived in Kibbutz Nahal Oz was from Tanzania and participated in an agricultural training program as part of an agreement between Israel and his own country. He and a fellow countryman were abducted to Gaza on October 7. Over the weekend, Matanga was found dead at Shifa Hospital, where he had been held hostage. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. (See here).
  • The remains of 12-year-old Liel Hetzroni, who was killed in the October 7 Hamas assault on her home in Kibbutz Be’eri, have been formally identified by forensic archaeologists. Liel was killed along with her twin, Yanai, their grandfather, Avia Hetzroni, and their aunt Ayala. Omri Shifroni, a relative of the family, said that no one came out alive from the Hetzroni home on October 7.
  • The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel said that “our hearts were broken” when the director of the sexual assault center at Canada’s University of Alberta signed an open letter denying Hamas-led terrorists raped women during the October 7 attacks. The Association tweeted that “It is incredible that an organization that is familiar with the mechanism of silencing [rape victims], chooses it and denies victims.” The director has since been removed from her position. Watch this dramatized video, staged by an Israeli advocacy group to highlight the issue.

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, presumably due to Hamas’ diminished capabilities.

In the north, rocket and other fire by Hezbollah continues at a steady pace, as do Israel’s retaliations against Hezbollah. It seems that the Lebanese terror group is intent on continuing to hit Israel in a show of solidarity with Hamas, without trying to escalate further, for fear of massive Israeli retaliation. Most border towns in the north remain evacuated.

International Response

US President Joe Biden received a vote of confidence in his support of Israel’s fight against Hamas from inside his party last week, in a letter signed by over 100 former senior Democratic figures. The letter praised Biden’s “moral clarity, courageous leadership, and staunch support of Israel.” Signatories to the letter included Biden’s former chief of staff Ron Klain, former secretary of defense for policy Colin Kahl, and former ambassadors such as Joseph W. Westphal, who served as the US envoy to Saudi Arabia under former US president Barack Obama.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to mounting international pressures on Israel over the weekend when he said, “Even if the pressure increases, I will not stop from adhering to the three tasks that I have set and which all of must adhere to. The first task was to achieve absolute victory, to destroy Hamas. The people, the Government, and the fighting forces show that we have the will, the capability, and the unity to achieve this goal. The second task is to bring back the hostages. We will not relent in this sacred task. It guides us always. The third task is to ensure that after victory, Gaza will never again threaten the citizens of Israel. I will not agree that any element enters there that supports terrorism, pays terrorists and their families, and educates their children to murder Jews and eliminate the State of Israel. Without such a revolution in the future civil administration in Gaza, it would only be a question of time until the terrorism returns and I am not willing to agree to this.” Read the Prime Minister’s full remarks here.

 

The Palestinian Authority has put out a statement, denying that Hamas was responsible for at least 350 young people killed during the Re'im music festival massacre. The statement falsely states that "preliminary Israeli police investigations" showed that Israeli claims in the media were false, followed up by saying that this was then used by "the occupation to justify its aggression against Gaza."

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • An uplifting video of some of the love in Israel at this time.
  • Watch these reserve soldiers trying to make the most of a difficult situation.
  • Read here about how reserve soldiers from abroad drop everything to help out.
  • Among the more emotional videos being shared is that of a reservist who missed his son’s birth but made it to the hospital soon afterward.
  • Watch this video message by Israeli teens for the world.

 

Additional Background Reading

 

Jewish Federations’ Israel Educational Travel Alliance has produced the Voices We Must Hear series, including reports by Masa participants, Taliya Shurki, Ryan Benjamin Knopp, and Isaiah Kriegman, who chose to stay in Israel after the war started. Shani Teshuva, an evacuee from Kibbutz Zikim, shared her harrowing experience with her husband and two teenage children on October 7 and the challenges of picking up the pieces of their lives since then. Dalia Cusnir, who is the Director of Immersive Experiences at The Jewish Agency, joined to sadly share the frightening stories of her brothers-in-law, who are being held hostage in Gaza, and the desperate efforts of her family to bring home the hostages. You can watch the recordings using these links:

 

 

For additional stories, see here.

Other Resources

  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federation information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federations

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend itself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 17, 2023

Join with Jewish Federations, ADL, AJC, and Jews around the country to come together this weekend for a Shabbat of Unity. We ask that all Jews light a memorial candle in honor of those who were murdered in Israel and those who have sacrificed their lives fighting for the Jewish State. We also suggest that you light an extra pair of Shabbat candles, that you recite prayers for Israel and for the hostages, and that you end Shabbat by reciting Psalm 121. Please refer to AJC’s Everything You Need To Know About The Attack on Israel. Find suggested discussion materials and copies of prayers at www.adl.org/unity-shabbat.

We have raised more than $650 million to date systemwide and allocated close to $200 million. For details, click here.

 

THE LATEST

 

• As the ground war continues in Gaza, Israel says that its forces have made significant progress and are close to achieving their goal of destroying Hamas's operations in the northern Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the military have eliminated all terrorist threats from the western side of Gaza City. Watch the IDF Chief of Staff briefing troops here and read here about possible next steps for the Israeli offensive.

 

• Yesterday, Israeli troops attacked an Islamic Jihad outpost in northern Gaza; they found Iran-made Badr-3 rockets, drones, and other weapons. The Badr-3 has a range of 100 miles and includes a 550-pound explosive warhead. The Islamic Jihad outpost was later destroyed. Meanwhile, troops from the Givati Infantry Brigade battled Hamas terrorists holed up in a school. Several gunmen were killed in the fighting, and the troops later recovered weaponry. (See photos of captured weaponry here, and footage of the fighting here and here).

 

• 51 soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began. See details of all fallen soldiers here.

 

• Three days after announcing she had been killed in Hamas captivity, the IDF recovered the body of Cpl. Noa Marciano from a building adjacent to Shifa Hospital in Gaza, . Her funeral is slated for later today. Marciano, 19, was serving at the Nahal Oz IDF base when it was overrun by terrorists on October 7. She lived in Modiin and was the oldest of three siblings. On Monday evening, Hamas published a propaganda video of Marciano, showing her speaking to the camera four days after being taken hostage; she identified herself and recited the names of her parents and her hometown. The video then cut to showing her body.

 

• Yesterday, the IDF also recovered the body of Yehudit Weiss near Shifa. She was abducted by Hamas on October 7.

 

• Watch this video about how Hamas exploits hospitals for its military goals and see here weapons captured in the hospital grounds.

 

• In this video, soldiers discover weapons stored in a child’s bedroom.

 

• Read here about how Israel uses robots and other tactics to conquer Gaza’s tunnels.

 

• In an interview with CBS News, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would consider a “temporary cease-fire” only if Hamas frees hostages. Netanyahu also said Israel has “concrete evidence” Hamas was using Shifa hospital as a military command center. Watch here.

 

• Yesterday, U.S. President Joe Biden said that “Israel’s Gaza operation will end when Hamas is no longer able to murder Israelis.”

 

• An opinion poll of Israelis’ voting intentions was conducted for the first time since October 7.

 

The results show support for Prime Minister Netanyahu plummeting, while backing for Minister Benny Gantz has surged.

 

The Channel 12 survey gave the parties seats as follows (current number of seats in parentheses):

 

-Gantz’s National Unity Party 36 (12)

-Netanyahu’s Likud 17 (32)

-Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid 15 (24)

-Shas 10 (11)

-Yisrael Beytenu 9 (6)

-United Torah Judaism 7 (7)

-Otzmah Yehudit 7 and Religious Zionism 4 (currently 14 combined)

-Hadash-Taal 5 (5)

-Me-retz 5 (0)

-Ra’am 5 (5)

-Labor 0 (4)

 

In this scenario, the current opposition parties, led by Benny Gantz (who has recently joined the war-time coalition) could easily form a government of 70, without Netanyahu’s Likud, or other religious and/or right-leaning parties.

 

An alternate question showed that if Naftali Bennett stood at the head of a party, he would receive 17 seats, mainly at the expense of Benny Gantz.

 

Following Jewish Federations’ massive March for Israel in Washington DC, read here how the show of solidarity from the Diaspora gives Israelis hope.

KEY RESOURCES FROM JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

• Webinar: Join Jewish Federations for an informative training session to share best practices and learn from other communities that are tackling anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the K-12 education space. Register here.

 

• The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

• Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services: Read here about the work to date that Federations are supporting in this field through collective Israel emergency dollars.

 

• Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 

 

• Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.

 

• Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

• Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.

 

• Webinars: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society are speaking every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.

 

• Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.

 

• Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

 

• Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

 

• Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

 

• Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact JFNA’s Dani Wassner at dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: November 16, 2023

The Latest:

 

  • As the ground war continues, Israeli forces reportedly dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to leave parts of southern Gaza, signaling a possible expansion of operations.
  • 51 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 371 soldiers since October 7. See a list of all soldiers who have fallen (with details, in Hebrew) in this war, here.
  • A checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem was attacked by terrorists this morning. Three armed Palestinian gunmen stopped their car at the checkpoint, jumped out, and started firing at Israelis, wounding six including one who is in critical condition. The three terrorists, presumably headed into Jerusalem to carry out a major attack, were shot and killed. In their car, IDF soldiers found ammunition as well as axes.
  • See details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

 

  • Unity Shabbat for Israel: November 17-18. Join Jewish Federations, ADL, AJC, and Jews around the country to come together this week for a Shabbat of Unity. We ask that all Jews light a memorial candle in honor of those who were murdered in Israel and those who have sacrificed their lives fighting for the Jewish State. We also suggest that you light an extra pair of Shabbat candles, that you recite prayers for Israel and the hostages, and that you end Shabbat by reciting Psalm 121.
  • Supporting Pastoral Guidance and Rabbinic Services. Read here about how Federations are supporting grieving Israelis who have lost loved ones during the war through collective Israel emergency dollars.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federation update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Webinar: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

As the ground operation progressed, Israeli forces reportedly dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to leave parts of southern Gaza, signaling a possible expansion of operations. The leaflets were dropped near the city of Khan Yunis, and warned civilians to evacuate the area, saying anyone in the vicinity of terrorists or their positions “is putting their life in danger.” Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion there. Watch a statement by the head of the IDF’s Southern Command here.

 

Meanwhile, Israel struck the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh — who lives in Qatar — in Gaza overnight. The IDF says the home was “used as terror infrastructure and, among other things, as a meeting place for the senior officials of the organization.” (See video of the strike here). Hamas has previously said the IDF hit two homes belonging to Haniyeh and his family, but this is the first strike confirmed by the military.

 

Watch the video of IDF battles with Hamas yesterday, here, and see photos here. See photos of captured weapons here.

 

Also yesterday, Israeli forces successfully captured Gaza’s port. See footage of the operation and photos here.

 

Watch an IDF video of the MRI department at Gaza’s recently captured Shifa Hospital here where large quantities of weapons were stored by Hamas, in the hospital facilities themselves. The IDF is still operating underneath the hospital and other hospitals in Gaza where terror tunnels are used to store weapons and house command and control centers and refuges for terrorists. The IDF says that some of the tunnels under the hospitals may also hold hostages. Watch a report on this by FOX News, from inside Gaza. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a briefing “We have information that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.”

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 11,200 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the victims of the massacre of October 7 and soldiers who have fallen in the fighting; and to demand the return of the hostages:

 

  • Israel is said to be considering a deal that would involve the release of some 50 hostages – all women and children – in exchange for the release of imprisoned Hamas terrorists (all women and minors), and a three-day ceasefire.
  • Read here about Staff Sgt. Aner Elyakim Shapiro who was killed at the Rave is being hailed as a hero for saving the lives of up to seven others. (Graphic content warning).
  • In its empty kibbutz’s dining hall, Nir Oz survivors set places for the 38 killed, and 75 hostages from among its members. Read more.
  • It is now confirmed that a pregnant Israeli woman, kidnapped by Hamas during their October 7 attack, has given birth in Gaza. See more here.
  •  

Reports continue to suggest that a deal between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of 50 - 100 women and children being held in Gaza could be announced within days. Under the emerging outline, the hostages would be released in groups, in exchange for Palestinian women and young people being held by Israel. According to the reports, Israel would also agree to a temporary ceasefire of three days, to allow safe passage for the hostages and an influx of aid for Gazan civilians.

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, presumably due to Hamas’ diminished capabilities.

 

In the north, rocket and other fire by Hezbollah continues at a slow, but steady pace.

International Response

U.S. President Joe Biden said that Israel’s operation in Gaza, “will end when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder, abuse, and do horrific things to the Israelis.” Biden said that Israel’s military has “an obligation to use as much caution as they can in going after their targets. Hamas said they plan to attack Israelis again and this is a terrible dilemma.”

 

Germany’s interior minister announced raids in seven of the country’s regions on an Islamist association suspected of links to Hezbollah. She stated, “At a time when numerous Jews feel particularly threatened,” Germany will “tolerate neither Islamist propaganda nor antisemitic incitement hostile to Israel.” The police raids targeted the Hamburg Islamic Center and five affiliated groups.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron says his country is making real efforts to help secure the release of the hostages. In separate tweets in French, English, and Hebrew, Macron says France is “putting all our efforts, all our strength, into freeing the hostages held by Hamas and allowing their families to be reunited with their loved ones.”



Yesterday, the UN Security Council approved a resolution calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip” after four failed attempts to respond to the war. The vote was 12-0 with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia abstaining. The final draft watered down language from a “demand” to a “call” for humanitarian pauses. It also called for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.”

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • “Hamas’ evil unleashed a fierce love in Israel.” Read more.
  • 130 Gaza border area kids traveled to Hungary to watch the Israeli soccer team compete. See here.
  • Read here about one branch of Israel’s famous Aroma Coffee chain that has closed its cash registers and turned the entire successful café into a hub for volunteers to make thousands of sandwiches a day, to feed IDF troops.
  •  

Additional Background Reading

 

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

 

  • 20 Bedouins with disabilities are benefitting from an online support group opened by JDC and partners. Through weekly meetings, participants gather in a safe space for socialization and support, where they can share their unique challenges and receive professional guidance. Also, 500 kits with toys and craft materials are being distributed to Bedouin families with small children and toddlers. These families live in unrecognized villages with no sheltered spaces, face the ongoing threat of rocket fire, and need help keeping their young children who are still not in school engaged.
  • The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute is developing a comprehensive dashboard to monitor the status of Arab society in Israel during the war. The dashboard was commissioned by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry for Social Equality and will measure progress in key areas including employment, education, welfare, and social resilience. Dashboard indications will help decision-makers address the needs of Arab Society and mitigate disparities during this time of crisis.
  • JDC procured first aid supplies including 6,288 burn treatment kits, 3,000 IV kits, 300 first aid kits, and 200 basic life support kits for Jewish and Israeli-Arab local municipalities in areas under threat, and which lack basic medical equipment. JDC continues to source critically needed supplies for local emergency response units in towns close to Israel's borders.
  • 400 youth counselors doing National Service are receiving JDC training to provide educational activities for evacuated children residing in hotels. Some 20 training courses are currently taking place across Israel, empowering the trainees with tools for informed trauma intervention and to help build resilience.
  • JDC released 7 informational videos and leaflets containing guidelines and tips for effective communication with people with disabilities during emergencies. These resources are being circulated by government ministries and are available to all volunteers and professionals who work with people with disabilities. Watch a sample video (in Hebrew) here.

 

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack, and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $635 million. We have allocated a total of more than $175 million to date from the Emergency Fund; for our blog post on the subject, click here and for the updated list of recipients and amounts, click here.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend itself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 15, 2023

 

In the largest pro-Israel march in history, close to 300,000 people gathered yesterday in support of Israel on the National Mall in Washington DC. An additional 250,000 people watched the livestream of the event. The march, which also called for the release of the hostages being held by Hamas and against rising antisemitism, was organized by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. If you were unable to attend in person, watch it here. Read more here

 

The Latest

  • As the ground war continues, the Israeli military says that it has made considerable gains toward destroying Hamas’ fighting capability and asserts that the terror group has now lost control over the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
  • 48 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 367 soldiers have perished since October 7. Read more about some of the recent soldiers who fell, here.
  • See details on these developments, and more, below.

 

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

 

  • Live Briefing: Join the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) for a live emergency briefing about the situation on the ground and JDC’s efforts to support vulnerable Israelis. Thursday, November 16 at noon (ET). Register here.
  • Unity Shabbat for Israel: November 17-18. Join Jewish Federations, ADL, AJC, and Jews around the country to come together this week for a Shabbat of Unity. We ask that all Jews light a memorial candle in honor of those who were murdered in Israel and those who have sacrificed their lives fighting for the Jewish State. We also suggest that you light an extra pair of Shabbat candles, that you recite prayers for Israel and the hostages, and that you end Shabbat by reciting Psalm 121.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources hereand can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federations update on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Call: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and of the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

As the ground operation progresses, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas had lost control in the northern Gaza Strip. See the video of IDF troop activities in the area hereand watch here a statement from the field by the Commander of the 603rd Battalion, LTC Gilad.

 

After surrounding Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa, with its vast underground system of tunnels built by Hamas and its housing of one of the terror group’s main command and control centers, lIDF forces entered the hospital last night for the first time and are currently operating inside its walls. The IDF has defined the mission as a “precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area” within the large hospital compound which includes multiple buildings.

 

As the forces were entering the compound, they encountered several terrorists as well as explosive devices surrounding the buildings. The operation is aimed at locating terrorists and their infrastructure inside and underneath the hospital, as well as searching for hostages. Most of Shifa’s patients had been evacuated, under the protection of the IDF. At the same time as troops were operating inside and underneath the hospital, the IDF also brought in medical supplies and baby equipment- including incubators - that were brought into Gaza in Israeli tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers and then delivered to the hospital (see footage here and photos here and here).

 

IDF forces in the operation include medical staff and Arabic-speaking soldiers who are facilitating support to the limited number of patients and civilians who remain in the hospital. Listen to this phone call between the IDF and the Shifa Hospital Director General, coordinating the rescue of children, provision of equipment, and more; and watch this IDF statement on the transfer of incubators.

 

Meanwhile, yesterday the IDF presented proof that the basement of the recently-captured Rantisi Hospital in Gaza was used by Hamas to hide arms and possibly also hold hostages kidnapped on October 7. The evidence shows Hamas weapons being stored underneath the children’s hospital, as well as rooms seemingly used to hold hostages. One room staged to look like a living room featured window curtains covering a tiled wall and a calendar of guard shifts starting on October 7. In an adjoining room was a chair with a woman’s robe and rope next to one of its legs, which seemed to be evidence of the constraints used. The chair sat under a piece of equipment donated by the World Health Organization, with a baby bottle on top and diapers on the floor. There was also a motorcycle thought to have been used by a Palestinian to transport hostages into Gaza, as well as what appeared to be makeshift bathrooms, a kitchen, and ventilation pipes. See photos here, and watch this video of tunnels connecting Rantisi Hospital with the home of a leading Hamas terrorist.

 

Israel has continued its policy of opening humanitarian corridors for a few hours each day. Recent fighting has led to an additional 200,000 people fleeing south in the past ten days. More than two-thirds of Gaza's population has fled their homes since the war began.

 

An image that is circulating on social media shows troops of the IDF’s Golani Brigade inside Hamas’s military police headquarters in the Gaza Strip, after capturing the site. The soldiers are seen holding an Israeli flag and a flag of Golani’s 13th Battalion. On Monday, a photo showed Golani troops inside Gaza’s parliament building, which has since been destroyed.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 11,200 Palestinians have been killed since October 7 as a result of the war. 

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the victims of the massacre of October 7 and soldiers who have fallen in the fighting; and to demand the return of the hostages:

 

  • There are unconfirmed reports that a pregnant Israeli woman among the hostages has given birth while being held in Gaza.
  • Read here about the beloved principal of the Ort Pelech High School in Jerusalem, Yossi Hershkovitz, who fell in battle in Gaza.
  • On Monday night, Hamas released a video of a 19-year-old female soldier Noa Marciano, who was abducted from the Nahal Oz base on October 7. In the video, she reads a text in which she introduces herself to the camera and gives details about her family. She says that she was abducted “4 days ago” and that there are other hostages with her and they could die from Israeli bombing. At the end of the 55-second video, there are still photographs of her dead body, and the IDF now confirms she has been killed. As is common practice, Israeli media is not showing the video to the public, in order not to “contribute to Hamas’ psychological warfare.”
  • Watch this difficult video about those members of the IDF Rabbinate who serve at the base dealing with the more than 1200 bodies of those killed since October 7.
  • At least ten survivors of the Nova rave massacre have been committed to psychiatric institutions since October 7. Israel’s national commissioner for involuntary hospitalization, Daniel Raz, who works within the Justice Ministry, told a special Knesset Health Committee session yesterday that “quite a few people” from the festival had been involuntarily committed.
  • Watch this difficult video about Yula, a young child who has been kidnapped by Hamas.
  • Authorities identified the body of 12-year-old Liel Hezroni in Kibbutz Be'eri on Monday. She was killed along with her aunt on October 7. 
  • Forensic examiners have also identified the remains of peace activist Vivian Silver, confirming she was killed during the October 7 massacres in southern Israel by Hamas-led terrorists. The Canadian-born Silver, 74, had been listed as missing since her home in Kibbutz Be’eri was attacked last month. She was a founder of AJEEC, a non-profit organization working to improve co-existence between the Beduin community and Jewish society. Vivian was also a founder of “Women Wage Peace” and was active in other similar organizations empowering women and promoting co-existence. She frequently volunteered to drive Palestinian patients from the Gaza border to Israeli hospitals for treatment. Following her murder, her body had been so badly mutilated that it took over a month to positively identify her.
  • Read here about difficult recordings of phone conversations with emergency services made on October 7, including one where a 15-year-old girl pleads with the terrorist, “Please leave me. I have school tomorrow.” The terrorist then killed her.

 

Reports continue to suggest that a deal between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of 50 - 100 women and children held by the terror group in Gaza could be announced within days. Under the emerging outline, the hostages would be released in groups, in exchange for Palestinian women and young people being held by Israel. According to the reports, Israel would also agree to a temporary ceasefire of up to five days, to allow safe passage for the hostages and an influx of aid for Gazan civilians.

 

Israeli universities have announced that due to the war, and in light of the large number of students conscripted to reserve duty, the opening of the new academic school year has been postponed again, until at least December 24.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, although there was one barrage towards Tel Aviv and the center and a number fired at Israel’s south. One boy was injured in Tel Aviv. Last night, Israeli air defense systems intercepted a Houthi missile launched toward Israel over the Red Sea area. Previously, sirens had sounded in Eilat, but the target was brought down by Israel's long-range Arrow missile defense system it crossed into Israeli territory. Meanwhile, the IDF’s Home Front Command issued this list of Israeli cities that have experienced the most number of rockets since October 7:

  • Ashkelon - 253
  • Ashdod - 187
  • Sderot - 130
  • Beer Sheva - 129
  • Tel Aviv - 124
  • Rishon Lezion - 114
  • Netivot - 58
  • Holon - 56
  • Ramat Gan - 55
  • Yavneh - 43
  • Rehovot - 40
  • Nes Ziona - 38
  • Bat Yam - 38

 

In the north, rocket and other fires by Hezbollah are increasing. Yesterday, two IDF soldiers were wounded by an anti-tank guided missile attack near the Lebanon border. One is in serious condition; the other was only moderately hurt.

 

The Biden administration and some Israeli officials have recently spoken about their concern over an uptick in incidents where Jewish residents who live beyond the Green Line have been "taking the law into their own hands,” during the war.

 

According to the United Nations Office of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, there have been more than 145 “attacks against Palestinians” since the start of the war.

 

  • The UN says that Palestinians were injured in 22 of these incidents and Palestinian property was damaged in 100 cases.
  • Unsubstantiated reports from Palestinian sources say that seven Palestinians have been killed in this violence since October 7.
  • In one incident three weeks ago, a Jewish man allegedly shot dead a Palestinian man harvesting olives near the West Bank city of Nablus. According to Yossi Dagan, a representative of the Jewish communities that reside over the Green Line, the shooter fired in self-defense. The IDF said it received a report of a “violent confrontation” between Palestinians and Israeli civilians, and that a Palestinian was reported killed. Police have opened an investigation, it said.
  • See this piece from the New York Times.
  • Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently downplayed the issue, saying the isolated incidents were carried out by a tiny, fringe minority, and did not represent a trend. Similarly, Israel’s Yisrael Hayom Daily, in this piece, argues that the number of these incidents has decreased recently.
  • Members of Jewish communities claim they have only acted in self-defense, have been living in a new and fearful environment since October 7; and must remain constantly vigilant, as they worry about a Hamas-style attack on their communities and populations, from neighboring, hostile, Palestinian towns. Even before October 7, more Israelis had been killed in the West Bank this year than during any year since the Second Intifada.

 

International Response

Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East, has arrived in Israel. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told McGurk that Israel will not end its Gaza campaign until Hamas has been destroyed and the hostages held in the Strip are returned home. McGurk is participating in a tour of multiple countries in the region to try to quickly reach a US-brokered deal to secure the reease of the hostages.

 

The BBC has apololgized after a presenter falsely claimed that Israel was targeting medical staff and Arabic speakers during its operation at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital. “This was incorrect and misquoted a Reuters report,” the UK broadcaster said. “What we should have said is that IDF forces included medical staff and Arabic speakers for this operation. We apologize for this error, which fell below our usual editorial standards.” (Israel’s satirical television show, Eretz Nehederet, continues to poke fun at the BBC, as can be seen in this “interview.”)



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for saying Israel must stop “this killing of women, of children, of babies” in Gaza. During a news conference yesterday, Trudeau called on Israel to “exercise maximum restraint” while fighting against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. He said, “The world is watching.”

 

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • Watch here as a man in the reserves bumps into his son, who serves in the standing army, in the middle of the fighting in Gaza.
  • Watch this account by an Israeli, Muslim Arab who volunteers with Zaka rescue services.
  • More and more soldiers are getting married whenever the opportunity allows. Read this moving account of one family’s wedding.

 

Additional Background Reading

 

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program in which people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market. They include sorting, packing, and distributing goods to be sent to both civil and military personnel.  
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federation information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. The campaign unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $635 million. We have allocated a total of more than $175 million to date from the Emergency Fund; for our blog post on the subject, click here and for the updated list of recipients and amounts, click here.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend itself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: November 13, 2023

Join the March for Israel, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14th in Washington DC to show your support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages, and condemn antisemitism. Read this editorial from today’s Jerusalem Post: DC Israel march is American Jews' moment to rise to the occasion.

 

The Latest

 

  • As the ground war continues, Israeli forces have made considerable gains toward destroying Hamas’ fighting capability.
  • It is confirmed that 44 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began; a total of 363 soldiers have been slain since October 7. In addition, 239 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7, and at least 7,000 have been injured. Some 9,500 rockets have been fired at Israel in that time, and more than a quarter of a million Israelis have been internally displaced. Read more here about some of the soldiers who fell recently.
  • More details on these developments are below.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools, and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Volunteering: Read this Jewish Federations update on volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.
  • Call: The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI): Daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency are offered. A rotating team of analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system, and the country’s diverse society will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11-11:30 am ET. No registration is required. Join here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

As the ground operation progresses (see video footage here), IDF troops continue to find Hamas weaponry and infrastructure during raids in Gaza, including inside schools, mosques, and the homes of terror operatives (see footage here). Yesterday, IDF forces located Hamas infrastructure in Al-Quds University and seized a cache of explosives inside the Abu Bakr mosque. Troops seized dozens of weapons, military equipment, and Hamas battle plans, while others raided the home of a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in the Beit Hanoun area, where they found a weapons cache, including in a child’s bedroom. In other raids, troops found tunnel shafts, intelligence materials (see photos here), weapons – including some inside a kindergarten (see video here), and a copy of Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, in Arabic.

 

Five soldiers were killed on Shabbat when they entered a booby-trapped terror tunnel. It is estimated that there are 300 miles of Hamas tunnels under Gaza. Read the background on Hamas tunnels here.

 

In one battle over the weekend, the IDF overran Hamas’ Badr Outpost. In fierce fighting, some 150 Hamas fighters were killed; remarkably, there were no casualties on the Israeli side.

 

Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has struck over 15,000 terror targets in the Gaza Strip and located 6,000 weapons. The military has been utilizing the combined efforts of infantry, tanks, artillery, naval and air support. In this video, see how a ground unit called in for a helicopter-led precise strike against terrorists who were holed up in an apartment building.

 

Fierce fighting also continues around Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa where Israel maintains it is working to ensure that patients remain unharmed in the battles. A safe corridor has been opened for civilians wanting to leave the area of the hospital (listen to this call between the IDF and hospital management and see this map).

 

The IDF said it supplied 80 gallons of fuel to Shifa Hospital, in coordination with its staff, but that Hamas prevented the medical center from accepting it. The army has accused Hamas of having its main base of operations under the hospital and has called on Palestinian civilians in the area to evacuate south. The IDF placed jerry cans of fuel near the hospital for “urgent medical purposes,” on Sunday, and had coordinated the delivery in advance with hospital officials (listen to this phone conversation coordinating the delivery; and see this video footage of the delivery). Later, it said, “the IDF received evidence that Hamas officials prevented the hospital from receiving the fuel.” The military published a call (listen here) between an IDF officer and a senior Gazan health official, who said that Yousef Abu-Al Rish, the deputy health minister in Gaza, forbade the hospital from receiving the fuel.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 10,560 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. 

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7, and await the return of the hostages:

 

  • Following the destruction, does Kibbutz Be’eri have a future?
  • See this story of a Beduin family from Rahat’s bravery, saving a Jewish woman at the same kibbutz on October 7.
  • See October7.organ online repository of firsthand accounts of the massacres taken from Israeli social media and translated into English.
  • Read here about the long road to recovery ahead for a severely injured survivor of the Rave.
  • Among those killed in the fighting in Gaza is Matan Meir, 38, a member of the production crew on the hit Israeli television series, Fauda.
  • Read this story of 81-year-old Varda Harmati, a child of Holocaust survivors, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists in her home on Kibbutz Re’im on October 7.
  • Watch this interview with retired general, and former MK Yair Golan, who, upon hearing of the attacks in the south on October 7, grabbed a weapon and headed south.

 

According to NBC News, a US administration official has confirmed that a potential deal is being discussed that would see some 80 women and children being held hostage by Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza released in exchange for Israel freeing imprisoned female and underage terror convicts. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal “could happen.”

 

Watch the Netanyahu interview on Meet the Press here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low. The IDF has released some figures about rocket fire in the last month. Around 9,500 rockets have been fired on Israel by Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north since the start of the war on October 7. Of those 9,500, around 3,000 were fired in only the first four hours by Hamas. Some 900 rockets (12% of those fired) have fallen short and landed inside the Gaza Strip itself. See the infographic about rocket fire here and see footage of the IDF’s rocket and missile defense crews at work, here.

 

In the north, rocket and other fires by Hezbollah are increasing. Yesterday, one civilian was killed and at least 20 people were injured in attacks from over the Lebanese border. Israel has now retaliated as far as 25 miles into Lebanese territory.

 

International Response

The U.S. appears to be incrementally increasing its military involvement in the war. In addition to the very significant presence of carrier groups and other forces, which are on stand-by in the region, the U.S. military has reportedly hit missiles headed to Israel from Yemen, has drones above Gaza assisting in the search for the hostages, and has struck pro-Iranian forces in Syria. Last night, at least six pro-Iran fighters were killed in U.S. strikes on eastern Syria in response to attacks on American forces.

 

During a visit to Israel yesterday, Republican US presidential candidate, and former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie rejected calls for a ceasefire; he said it would not make sense for Israel to halt fighting now. Read more here.

 

According to unconfirmed media reports, Israel is seeking to install former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a humanitarian coordinator for the Gaza Strip.

 

In France, more than 1,250 anti-Jewish acts have been recorded since October 7. Last night, 180,000 people marched in Paris to protest antisemitism. Read more hereMeanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his support for Israel and its right to defend itself in a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog yesterday. The call came after Macron's interview last Friday on the BBC, when he said, “These babies, these women, these old people (in Gaza) are being bombed and killed. So there is no reason for it and no legitimacy. So we do plead with Israel to stop.” Speaking to Herzog, Macron said he hadn’t intended to accuse Israel of intentionally harming innocent civilians.

 

The UK’s Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has come out unequivocally supporting Israel. “If Britain had been subject to an attack of terrorists coming and murdering [1,200] people and cutting off heads, and we knew where those terrorists had gone, no one would say to Britain to stop going after them,” Shapps said. Read more here.

Inspiration

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, with many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • The ultra-Orthodox moshav of Bet Hilkia is located right next to a major air force base (Tel Nof). Haredi residents made a giant sign out of LED lights that says “Toda” (“thanks”) to the pilots flying overhead. See here. And read more here on the changing face of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population emerging from the war.
  • Despite the war, the Ethiopian-Israeli community will mark the Sigd festival tomorrow; the observance is becoming increasingly mainstream in the Jewish state. Read more here. Jewish Federations sends warm holiday greetings to our friends at the Ethiopian National Project and the entire Ethiopian Israeli community.
  • Watch here scenes of unity, solidarity, and inspiration from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, where Israelis and French Jews were about to board a flight to Tel Aviv; and see here locals in Tokyo supporting the Jewish state.
  • Read more here about the Christian cowboys from Montana who are volunteering in Israel right now.

The Jewish Agency for Israel

The Jewish Agency for Israel continues to undertake emergency relief and other work in multiple sectors. To date, it has: 



  • Distributed 4,760 grants from its Fund for the Victims of Terror.
  • Provided $2.6 million for humanitarian relief to eight regional councils in the south.
  • Given 593 emergency grants to small businesses in the south.
  • Delivered 13,000 food baskets to residents of the Agency’s Amigour elderly care facilities.
  • Provided 1,100 hand-held computer tablets for the children of evacuated new immigrants, to enable online learning in their temporary homes/ hotels.
  • Given 185,820 meals to evacuees.

Additional Background Reading

 

 

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, through which people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack, and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page by Jewish Federations.
  • Listen here to Rabbis Angela Buchdahl and Shlomo Nisanov’s testimony during a UJA New York mission to Israel.
  • Knesset: The heads of Jewish Federations of North America have received a letter from the Knesset, thanking the community for its unprecedented support during the country’s dark hour. See the letter here.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatherings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaignwhich symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations. It demonstrates to the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $650 million. We have allocated a total of more than $175 million to date from the Emergency Fund; for our blog post on the subject, click here and for the updated list of recipients and amounts, click here.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend itself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update you as the situation develops.

Update: November 10, 2023

The Latest:

 

  • March for Israel: Join the March for Israel on November 14th in Washington DC to show our support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages and condemn antisemitism. 
  • As the ground war continues in Gaza, Israeli troops killed several senior Hamas terrorists overnight, including some who took part in the October 7 massacres. In addition, the IDF raided a major Hamas military quarter situated near the Shifa Hospital, killing 50 Hamas members during fierce combat. Israeli forces also secured and neutralized a wide underground network of tunnels. See video footage here. And watch this video of the discovery of a major weapons depository inside a school.
  • The IDF reports that 36 soldiers have been killed in the fighting since the ground offensive began. See details of all fallen soldiers here.
  • Meanwhile, for the first time, IDF Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi and the Israel Security Service (Shin Bet) head Ronan Bar personally went deep into Gaza with IDF troops to conduct a situation assessment on the ground.
  • Yesterday, a drone attack on a school in Eilat caused damage, but no injuries. Israel says that it struck targets in Syria responsible for the attack. Meanwhile, Israel’s long-range Arrow defense system intercepted a surface-to-surface missile outside the earth’s atmosphere, over the Red Sea. The missile was launched, presumably from Yemen, towards Eilat. This was the first time ever that Israel’s most advanced air defense system, the Arrow 3, completed a successful intercept (limited previous uses involved the Arrow 2).
  • The IDF continues to facilitate humanitarian corridors to allow Palestinians in the north of Gaza to escape to the south. Yesterday, some 50,000 people used the safe passage in the seven-hour period that it was open.
  • Following mounting international pressure, Israel has agreed to formalize and broaden the pauses in fighting, in coordination with the U.S. Government and others. The “tactical, localized” pauses that Israel agreed to implement each day will build on the humanitarian corridor that it began operating on Sunday to allow Gazans to evacuate from northern to southern Gaza. The new four-hour pauses will take place in a different northern Gaza neighborhood each day, with residents notified three hours ahead of time, in order to prevent Hamas from exploiting the gesture for military purposes. Watch this video about IDF humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
  • Meanwhile reports suggest that two hostages with medical conditions may soon be released. They are Hanna Katzir, 77, and Yagil Yaakov, 12, both of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Negotiations for the release of other hostages continue.
  • Read this first-hand account of the IDF’s hunt for tunnels, and how Hamas hides their locations.
  • The Knesset has approved a wartime compensation package to help businesses continue operating. The aid package includes grants to businesses that have suffered indirect damages due to the war, a salary reimbursement program, and relief measures for employees put on unpaid leave. The cost of the package is estimated at $3.9 billion.
  • Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said he would be willing to take control of the Gaza Strip after Hamas falls, if Israel accepts the goal of a two-state solution.
  • Jewish Federations of North America released the first poll of the Jewish community since October 7. The poll found that:
  • 70% of Jewish respondents feel less safe than they did a few months before. None said they feel safer.
  • Three-quarters of Jews were concerned that their communities would face security problems due to the war.
  • Jews were twice as likely to say they worry about their personal safety compared to the general public.
  • Among Jews, those who wore distinctive Jewish items were twice as likely to say they felt worried about their safety “all the time” relative to those who don’t.
  • Support for military aid to Israel is widely popular, with 59% of the general population supporting it, and 87% of U.S. Jews agreeing.
  • For more information, please see here, as well as an overview presentationsurvey questions, and methodology statement.

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Listen here to Rabbis Angela Buchdahl and Shlomo Nisanov’s testimony during a UJA New York mission to Israel.
  • Knesset: The heads of Jewish Federations of North America have received a letter from the Knesset, thanking the community for its unprecedented support during the country’s dark hour. See the letter here.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatherings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is in close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 9, 2023

The Latest

 

  • As the ground war continues, Israeli forces have made considerable gains towards destroying Hamas’ fighting capability.
  • It is confirmed that 35 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 352 soldiers since October 7. In addition, 239 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed on October 7, and 7,260 have been injured. At least 9,000 rockets have been fired at Israel in that time, and more than a quarter of a million Israelis have been internally displaced.
  • A 55-year-old Kiryat Shmona resident, Meir Moyal, was killed on Monday after being hit by an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon's south.
  • More details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resource from Jewish Federations

 

  • March for Israel: Join the March for Israel on November 14th in Washington DC to show our support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages and condemn antisemitism.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operation

In an unusual announcement, (with further details still unknown), the IDF announced last night that, “An aircraft was intercepted and dealt with after sirens sounded in northern Israeli border towns amid suspected infiltration of a hostile aircraft.”

 

As the ground operation in Gaza progresses, IDF troops have discovered a Hamas drone manufacturing plant and weapons depot inside a residential building. The building, in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, is located next to a school. IDF forces found Hamas drones in the building, as well as equipment used to manufacture them, and instructions to make explosive devices. Soldiers also recovered a number of bombs at the site, located next to a children’s bedroom (see video footage here and photos here).

 

Also overnight, troops from the Nahal Infantry Brigade captured a Hamas stronghold in Jabaliya, known as Outpost 17, after 10 hours of heavy fighting. The IDF says the soldiers battled Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives in the stronghold, who were both “above ground and in an underground route in the area.” Dozens of terrorists were killed during the fighting. In the course of the battle, IDF forces located large supplies of weapons and uncovered tunnel shafts, including one located adjacent to a kindergarten that led to an “extensive underground route.” Watch video footage of the fighting here and here. Israel says it has already destroyed 130 tunnel routes during the ground offensive.

 

Among those killed in Israeli strikes last night was the head of Hamas's anti-tank missile unit for central Gaza, Ibrahim Abu-Maasib.

 

Yesterday, some 80 trucks of urgent humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip, according to US authorities. Also, a shipment of medical supplies arrived at Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa, yesterday. The IDF says that the hospital’s basement serves as a major command base for Hamas, where weapons, fuel and other resources are also kept. Tens of thousands of Gazans are currently seeking shelter from the fighting in and around the hospital and its parking area. Read more here about how Hamas is using hospitals in Gaza to hide troops, weapons and more.

 

Israel again opened a humanitarian corridor to allow those civilians who have remained in the north of Gaza to escape to the southern part of the Strip. Israel continues to urge Gazans to head to the south of the enclave, as close to 900,000 have already done. Around 15,000 additional residents of the north also made the journey yesterday, many of them waving white flags, as they passed through the evacuation corridor, with Israeli tanks protecting them from Hamas attacks (Hamas is trying to prevent civilians from leaving). See details here and footage here.

 

The IDF has revealed disturbing evidence of how Hamas uses ambulances to transport fighters and other supplies and exploits the military’s abstaining from hitting medical targets. See full details here. Listen here to a phone conversation where a terrorist explains that they have a supply of ambulances to transfer them when needed; and watch these testimonies from interviews with Hamas terrorists explaining how ambulances are not targeted by the IDF, so can therefore be used to transport fighters, weapons and more.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 10,560 Palestinians have been killed since October 7 as a result of the war. Hezbollah says that 63 of its fighters have been killed on the northern front.

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7, and await the return of the hostages:

 

  • American-Israeli Border Police officer Sgt. Rose Ida (Elisheva) Lubin was buried in the police section of the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem earlier today after she was killed in a terror attack in Jerusalem. Lubin, 20, grew up in Dunwood, Georgia before moving to Israel on her own after high school and joining the Border Police. The funeral can be viewed here.
  • See this photo-essay about Kibbutz Nirim and read here about the tragedy that took place at Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
  • Read this additional collection of stories compiled about some of the tragedies of October 7.
  • Some reports are emerging of a potential deal that would see the release of 10-15 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a 1-2 day humanitarian pause in fighting. The deal, brokered by Qatar, is said to include the release of around 6 American hostages. The IDF is concerned that even a limited ceasefire will allow Hamas to emerge from underground, place ambushes and snipers around Gaza City, set traps for the IDF and gain a valuable image of the present placement of IDF soldiers.
  • A new playground has been established in Holon in honor of the 38 children being held hostage by Hamas. In anticipation of the return of the 38 kidnapped children, the Holon Municipality established a playground where, rather than green grass and brightly colored equipment, everything--from the turf to the slide to the public tricycle--has been painted black. See more here.
  • Israel’s Transportation Ministry announced that it will provide free round-trip flights between Ramon Airport near Eilat and Ben-Gurion Airport to allow evacuees to move between the center of the country and the hotels where many from the Gaza area are being hosted in Eilat.
  • According to newsreports, journalists from news outlets, including the New York Times, AP, Reuters and CNN, joined Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip on October 7 to document the massacres with their cameras.
  • Photographers allegedly filmed up close the kidnapping of civilians and soldiers, an attack on a tank, and the killing of an IDF soldier. In addition, a CNN freelance journalist broadcast images of the burning tank and accompanied the terrorists into Gaza.
  • In response, AP said that it “had no advance knowledge of the October 7 attack. AP's role is to capture news and images from events happening worldwide, at any point, even if they are terrible and involve victims.”
  • The Prime Minister's Office stated that it “views with utmost gravity that photojournalists working with international media joined in covering the brutal acts of murder perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7th in the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip.”

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza has been lower in recent weeks, compared to the beginning of the conflict, Yesterday was a particularly quiet day, punctured only by occasional barrages. In the north, however, Hezbollah has continued its medium-intensity attacks across the border, without expanding its attacks significantly, while the IDF strikes at cells and the sources of fire.

International Response

The Brazilian Federal Police, working in cooperation with Israeli intelligence agencies, announced that it has prevented a domestic terror plot against Israeli and Jewish targets in the country. Brazilian authorities said that they had uncovered a plan that involved the recruitment of Brazilian citizens by Hezbollah, to carry out attacks against members of the large Brazilian Jewish community, including synagogues.

 

Two American F-15s conducted a strike on a weapons storage facility used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Syria overnight, killing at least 12 pro-Iranian operatives, in the country’s east. The US military said the hit was in response to another spate of attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by the IRGC and other Iran-backed forces.

 

Former US secretary of state, first lady and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has spoken out explaining the situation in Gaza and why she is not calling for a ceasefire. “Remember, there was a ceasefire on October 6 that Hamas broke by their barbaric assault on peaceful civilians. There was a ceasefire. It did not hold because Hamas chose to break it.” Watch the full interview here.

 

Italy will send a hospital ship to the coast of Gaza to help treat victims of the conflict, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Wednesday. The ship, with 170 staff, includes 30 people trained for medical emergencies, the minister said, adding that Italy was also working to send a field hospital to Gaza.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Jerusalem; he thanked him for his friendship, support, and solidarity visit at this time.



Henry Swieca, a Jewish billionaire investor and philanthropist, quit the board of Columbia Business School, saying the campus had become unsafe for Jews since the launch of the Israel-Hamas war. “With blatantly anti-Jewish student groups and professors allowed to operate with complete impunity, it sends a clear and distressing message that Jews are not just unwelcome, but also unsafe on campus… My resignation is an expression of my deep concern for the direction in which the university is heading.” Swieca, 66, is the founder in 2010 of Talpion Fund Management and the cofounder of Highbridge Capital Management, which was acquired by J.P. Morgan Chase in 2008. The child of Holocaust survivors, he has been a member of the business school’s Board of Overseers since 2014. Forbes lists his worth as $1.9 billion.

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • Watch this video of non-Jewish cowboys from Montana and Arkansas who are volunteering in Israel with the war effort.
  • See these Miami Beach firefighters who have come to Israel to help out.
  • One of Israel’s most beloved children’s entertainers in Israel is known as “Yuval Hamebulval.” Watch this touching video dedicated by Yuval to the kidnapped children.
  • Broadway stars have come together to record this special version of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, in honor of the hostages.
  • Watch here as Israeli troops inside the Strip raise the flag and sing Hatikva on Gaza’s beach.

Additional Background Reading

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering programwhere people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Listen here to Rabbis Angela Buchdahl and Shlomo Nisanov’s testimony during a UJA New York mission to Israel.
  • Knesset: The heads of Jewish Federations of North America have received a letter from the Knesset, thanking the community for its unprecedented support during the country’s dark hour. See the letter here.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatheings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaignwhich symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federation

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read more. And click here for the latest allocations report.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 8, 2023

The Latest:



  • As the second month of the war begins, the IDF has struck more than 14,000 targets in the Gaza Strip, destroyed over 100 tunnel entrances, and captured 4,000 weapons — including rockets — hidden in civilian infrastructure, since fighting began.
  • It is confirmed that 32 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and that 240 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
  • During a call with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden called for a humanitarian “pause in fighting." Netanyahu has said that there will be no ceasefire of any kind before the hostages are released; howeve, he has added that short term pauses for humanitarian reasons will continue.
  • More details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • March for Israel: Join the March for Israel on November 14th in Washington DC to show our support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages and condemn antisemitism. 
  • Jewish Agency Webinar: Federation partner the Jewish Agency for Israel will also be holding a webinar on “Antisemitism on College Campuses Since October 7.” It will take place tomorrow, Thursday, November 9, at 11am ET, and will feature Adam Lehman, CEO of Hillel International; Amira Ahronoviz, CEO & Director General of The Jewish Agency for Israel; Campus Leaders; Jewish Agency Israel Fellows & American Jewish student leaders. Register here.
  • Listen here to Rabbis Angela Buchdahl and Shlomo Nisanov’s testimony during a UJA New York mission to Israel.
  • Please listen to and share this video essay from Jake Tapper on how Hamas frames the civilians who are dying in Gaza as "martyrs."
  • Knesset: The heads of Jewish Federations of North America have received a letter from the Knesset, thanking the community for its unprecedented support during the country’s dark hour. See the letter here.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

The ground operation continues in full force. In its attacks overnight, the IDF killed Mohsen Abu Zina, Hamas' Head of Weapons and Industries in its manufacturing department. See video footage here and photos here, of IDF activity in Gaza yesterday. Read comments made by the general overseeing the war in Gaza, the IDF’s Head of Southern Command, here.

 

The IDF has confirmed that 32 soldiers have been killed in the battles in Gaza, and 240 people remain hostages. See an official IDF page (in Hebrew) listing all those who have fallen since October 7, with photos and details, here; and more on the latest fighting here.

 

Yesterday, the Paratroopers Brigade led an operation in northern Gaza, during which the soldiers completed taking control of the area. During the mission, soldiers exposed and then destroyed the shaft of an underground tunnel adjacent to an amusement park. In addition, in cooperation with soldiers of the Armored Corps, an underground tunnel shaft and a weapons warehouse were found near a university, containing chemical materials, RPGs, Claymore mines and more. See video here and here, and the destruction of tunnels discovered here.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday the IDF has been reaching deeper into Gaza “than Hamas ever imagined,” and said that the terror group “is discovering that we are reaching places they thought we would never reach.” Netanyahu also warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group that it would be making the “greatest mistake of its life” if it opens a new full-on war front. See Netanyahu’s full remarks here.

 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant added that the IDF was now operating “in the heart” of Gaza City and “tightening the noose” around Hamas there.

 

Israel again opened a humanitarian corridor to allow those civilians who have remained in the north of Gaza to escape to the southern part of the Strip. Israel continues to urge Gazans to head to the south of the enclave, as close to 900,000 have already done. Thousands of additional residents of the north also made the journey yesterday, many of them waving white flags, as they passed through the evacuation corridor, with Israeli tanks protecting them from Hamas attacks (Hamas is trying to prevent civilians from leaving). See images and details hereand video footage here.

 

Israel says that there is no lack of food, water, or other humanitarian supplies in Gaza, and that inventories of critical supplies are being monitored on a daily basis. See more here.

Read here about how Hamas is using hospitals in Gaza to hide troops, weapons and more.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 10,300 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. Hezbollah says that 63 of its fighters have been killed on the northern front.

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7:

 

  • Israel marked one month since the October 7 massacres yesterday. Read here about some of the events held in Israel, and here about how the date was observed by North American Jewish communities.
  • Listen here to episodes of Wartime Diaries to hear the voices and stories of victims, heroes and many others, since October 7.
  • Read here about May Hayat’s journey back to the site of the Rave, where she worked at the bar, one month after the massacre that took place there.
  • Trained to analyze ancient sites, Israel’s archaeologists are helping locate victims among kibbutz ashes. Read more here.
  • Watch these survivor stories from October 7.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, although there has been least one major barrage per day, sending millions to their shelters, and exposing them to the very loud iron dome interceptions above major cities. Once again, Tel Aviv and the country’s center were targeted yesterday.



In the North, Hezbollah has continued its medium-intensity attacks across the border, without expanding itsd attacks significantly, while the IDF strikes at cells and the sources of fire.

International Response

G7 foreign ministers, representing the most powerful western countries, are seeking to hammer out a common line on the war during their meeting in Tokyo. The ministers are expected to call in a joint statement for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, while stopping short of urging a ceasefire.

 

Earlier, US President Joe Biden called for a similar humanitarian “pause in fighting,” during a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has said that there will be no ceasefire of any kind before the hostages are released, but has added that short term pauses for humanitarian reasons will continue. Israel fears that Hamas would try to use any long pause to regroup.

 

Meanwhile, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog spoke by phone with US Vice President Kamala Harris about the war in Israel and the rise in anti-Semitism. Herzog said that “the immediate and unconditional return of the abductees is the main concern of the State of Israel,” and that there will be no ceasefire without the release of the abductees held by Hamas.

 

President Herzog also wrote a letter to the presidents of American universities. In his letter, he 

 

  • asked for them to condemn the acts of terrorism by Hamas in a clear and unequivocal way.
  • told them that this is a conflict between freedom and the forces of evil.
  • suggested that this is a "teaching moment" that moves us either "toward constructive action or...irreversible decline."
  • reminded them that they are "custodians of knowledge and culture" whose decisions will "shape history and be remembered.

 

Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog showed some of the graphic body camera footage from the October 7 Hamas massacres to a group of fellow ambassadors and foreign diplomats, during an event at Israel’s Embassy in Washington commemorating 30 days since the attacks.

 

Ambassador Herzog said, “This was one of the worst terror attacks in modern history and the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Every nation and human being must draw a line between those who uphold the values of humanity and those who desecrate them, and sound a clear moral voice. Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself and remove the Hamas threat while fighting for the unconditional release of each and every hostage. We will not rest until we bring them back home.”

 

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and new US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew held their first official meeting yesterday, and discussed efforts to obtain the release of the hostages, maintaining regional peace, and the continued fight against Iran and its proxies.



With an unprecedented spike in antisemitic incidents across the world, Israel’s Ministry of Aliya is seeing large increases in enquiries about Aliya (Jewish people immigrating to Israel). According to the Ministry, since October 7 there has been a 149% increase in enquiries from France and an 81% increase from North America.

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.



  • Watch this video of a bus that travels from base to base, repairing army uniforms and equipment for soldiers.
  • See this touching photo of Tamar Lavie, a mother of four, who months ago arranged to donate a kidney to save another’s life. Tamar had no way of knowing that by the time the date of the operation arrived, her husband would be serving on the front, having been called up with hundreds of thousands of other reserve troops. Lavie decided to go ahead with the operation, saying that “If my husband can give so much at the front to save lives, I can do the same.” The children are staying with their grandparents, and in the photo, Tamar’s two brothers (also drafted to the reserves) can be seen visiting her after they were given some time off.
  • Another new IDF trend: With Houthi rebels firing rockets at Israel, some soldiers have joked that they may end up fighting in Yemen. As a result, multiple videos are circulating of soldiers doing traditional Yemenite dances. (See, for example, here).
  • An Israeli tech executive passionately answers Irish tech icon Paddy Cosgrove’s criticism of Israel in this eye-opening video.
  • Reports continue to emerge that the motivation among IDF troops remains extremely high. See some video here.

Additional Background Reading

 

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

JDC is working with government ministries, municipalities, and organizations across Israel to respond to the immediate needs of Israel's most vulnerable, while also beginning to addressing mid and long-term needs.

 

Recent activity includes:

 

  • 400 foreign caregivers for the elderly participated in an English-language webinar on strengthening emotional resilience. JDC is working to empower caregivers to provide preventive care for elderly citizens during times of crisis in order to strengthen or maintain cognitive and physical ability, push off deterioration, and maximize independence.
  • 9,900 unique users have benefited from Kol Sherut, a centralized online resource for citizens' rights and benefits in times of emergency, and which offers guidance on how to actualize these rights.
  • 2,570 young-adults at risk and families in financial distress received vouchers for food and essential needs.
  • 170 employment professionals (employment councilors and welfare coordinators) participated in the launch of a unique website that provides employment resilience tools. The platform will serve employees who are struggling to remain in their jobs in a war environment, and assist the newly unemployed in seeking new opportunities.
  • 1,500 children at risk in the southern city of Ofakim, confined to their homes due to the ongoing threat of rocket fire, are receiving JDC kits with toys and craft supplies.
  • 180,000 evacuees are benefiting from a digital communications platform, which JDC partnered in developing for the government. Evacuees enter their personal details and specify their needs, and the system connects them with the appropriate government service department. Data collected from the platform allows national agencies to monitor and address immediate and long-term needs and requests in a timely and efficient manner.
  • 728 youth movement counselors responsible for more than 25,000 children and youth, received trauma counseling training.
  • 550 teachers and education professionals within the secondary school system participated in the first of a series of JDC and Ministry of Education webinars aiming to empower them with tools to support students grappling with emotional distress.
  • JDC expanded its home visitation program for Bedouin families with children aged 0-3 from 160 to 460 families. Visitation professionals are mentoring parents on parent-toddler activities amidst the war, maintaining healthy nutrition, safety precautions, and addressing trauma and anxiety in the home.
  • Watch this JDC video about October 7.

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatherings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read more. And click here for the latest allocations report.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 7, 2023

The Latest



  • Israelis held a day of mourning today, marking the shloshim, the traditional one-month period, since the October 7 massacres.
  • It is confirmed that 31 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 240 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. In addition, over the last week, the IDF has struck more than 2,500 Hamas targets by land, air and sea.
  • A 20-year old olah chadasha (Israeli new immigrant) from Atlanta, Georgia, Rose Ida Lubin, was killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem yesterday. The Israeli-American was serving as a Border Police Officer when she was stabbed by a 16 year-old Palestinian. Read more here.
  • An elderly Jewish man has died in Los Angeles following a confrontation between pro- and anti-Israel demonstrators. While circumstances are still unclear, many are saying that the man died after being pushed by a pro-Palestinian protestor. See more here.
  • More details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations



  • Join Jewish Fededrations at the March for Israel on November 14th in Washington DC to show our support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages, and condemn antisemitism. Learn more. Read this Jerusalem Post article about the March.
  • JDC Webinar: Federation partner JDC will be holding a webinar exploring the latest in the war, and its own activities bringing relief. The webinar will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8th at 12:00 PM (ET). Register here.
  • Jewish Agency Webinar: Federation partner The Jewish Agency for Israel will also be holding a webinar on “Antisemitism on College Campuses Since October 7.” It will take place Thursday, November 9, at 11am EDT, and will feature Adam Lehman, CEO of Hillel International; Amira Ahronoviz, CEO & Director General of The Jewish Agency for Israel; Campus Leaders; Jewish Agency Israel Fellows & American Jewish student leaders. Register here.
  • Knesset: The heads of Jewish Federations of North America have received a letter from the Knesset, thanking the community for its unprecedented support during the country’s dark hour. See the letter here.
  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 
  • MapThis site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

The ground operation continues in full force. Last night the IDF took control of a Hamas military outpost in the heart of Gaza City, locating anti-tank launchers and missiles, weapons, and intelligence materials at the site. Troops also found rocket launchers inside a youth group clubhouse (see video here) and others launched from a mosque (video here). Israeli planes, directed by ground troops, also struck a cell of 10 Hamas members who identified the terrorists and directed an aerial attack on the outpost. Troops later identified an anti-tank squad operating nearby and directed an additional airstrike.

 

Also overnight, the military targeted dozens of positions for mortar launches into Israel, while naval forces attacked a number of Hamas targets, using precision weaponry. The IDF also says that it is stepping up efforts to find and destroy Hamas tunnels. See video of the operations here and of an IDF explanation here.

 

The IDF has confirmed that 31 soldiers have been killed in the battles in Gaza, and 240 people remain hostages.

 

Israel again opened a humanitarian corridor in Gaza, to allow those civilians who have remained in the north to escape to the southern part of the Strip. The safe passage was open from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Watch video here of civilians using the route to escape south. Israeli sources reported that more than 7.5 million gallons of water are now entering Gaza daily with the opening of a second pipeline from Israel. 

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, as a result of the war. Hezbollah says that 63 of its fighters have been killed on the northern front.

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7:

 

  • Watch here the full interview that Piers Morgan conducted with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog about October 7, and the war that has followed.
  • Read this article where Avihai Brodutch, 42, describes “31 days of agony,” not knowing how his hostage family is being treated and feeling powerless to help.
  • The Knesset passed a law that would allow the families of people who are missing or were kidnapped to receive the same compensation given to families of fallen soldiers. The law also contained an amendment dealing with the families of fallen soldiers, adding the partners and spouses in single-sex relationships to be considered as IDF widows and widowers.
  • Separately, the Knesset cut its own budget by $20 million, redirecting those funds to the benefit of the war effort.
  • Three survivors of the Rave massacre gave a moving interview on the UK’s Channel Four. See more here.
  • Read here about the North American Jewish community marking 30 days since the October 7 massacres.
  • An Israeli-Bedouin family from Tel Sheva is offering $1 million for information regarding the Hamas terrorists who killed their son Osama Abu Assa on October 7. Read more here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, although there is at least one major barrage per day, sending millions to their shelters, and exposing them to the very loud iron dome interceptions above major cities.

 

In the North, Hezbollah has continued its medium-intensity attacks across the border, while the IDF strikes at cells and the sources of fire. Read this background piece on why a second front does not seem to be opening up.

International Response

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his first interview with foreign press since October 7, speaking to ABC yesterday, just after he held another phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden. During the interview, Netanyahu said that Israel will need to keep “security control” over Gaza for an “indefinite period.” Watch the full interview here.

 

Separately, Netanyahu met with foreign ambassadors based in Israel and told them that, “If we don’t win, Europe will be next… There is no substitute for victory. This battle is your battle and our victory is your victory.” See video here and read the Prime Minister’s full remarks here.

 

Meanwhile. former Israeli ambassador Alon Roth-Snir was appointed as coordinator of international efforts for the release of hostages in Gaza. Roth-Snir previously served as Israel's envoy in Norway, as well as deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Strategic Affairs unit.

 

It has been confirmed that the U.S.’ proposed $14 billion aid package to Israel, will contain significant funds for Iron Dome expansion, including 100 new anti-rocket interceptors.

 

The United Arab Emirates is setting up a field hospital at the edge of the Gaza Strip with some 150 beds, a surgery department and intensive care units for adults and children. Five aircraft flew out of Abu Dhabi for Arish in northern Egypt today, carrying equipment and supplies for the facility.



South Africa has decided to withdraw all of its diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultations for what it called Israeli "genocide under the watch of the international community," Minister Khumbudzo Ntshaveni announced following a South African cabinet meeting on Monday.

 

See this very interesting photo, from a historical perspective, of the commander of the German Air Force donating blood in Tel Aviv’s Sheba Hospital earlier today.

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • A second intake of 120 ultra-Orthodox volunteers was drafted into the IDF yesterday.
  • The Resilience for Our Children program is supporting the emotional and mental well-being of approximately 9,600 children and youth aged 6 to 18 in Sderot and the Eshkol Regional Council. Founded and led by social entrepreneur Ronny Douek, and supported by Jewish Federations, the program has already been funded with $7.7 million, including a personal donation of $1.3 million from Douek himself. Read more here.
  • A group of non-Jewish cowboys from Montana and Arkansas have arrived in Israel to volunteer in the south and help Israel. See here.
  • The owners of a small plant nursery in Kibbutz Be’eri, thought they had lost their business when they evacuated. When they returned for the first time, a month later, they discovered that soldiers had broken into the nursery. They discovered a small miracle - their thriving nursery and a handwritten note explaining. “Sorry we broke into the nursery, we had to water the plants. With love, the soldiers.”
  • Watch this unique, Gaza War-style, gender reveal from an IDF soldier expecting a child.

Analysis

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatheings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue -Ribbon Campaignwhich symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read more. And click here for the latest allocations report.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 6, 2023

The Latest

 

  • Tomorrow marks one month of Israel’s War with Hamas, as heavy fighting continues in Gaza. It is confirmed that 31 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began, and 242 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. In addition, over the last week, the IDF has struck more than 2,500 Hamas targets by land, air and sea.
  • An Israeli civilian in Kiryat Shemona was killed when his car was hit by a Hezbollah rocket. In other violence, two police were stabbed by a terrorist in Jerusalem – one of whom has sadly now died, and over the weekend, a 30-year-old Israeli father of three was shot and killed by a terrorist in the Shomron region.
  • Ukrainian leader Vlodimir Zelensky is set to visit Israel in the coming days.
  • In an extraordinary move, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council have issued a travel advisory for Israelis, calling on them to consider canceling any travel to any country; and where travel is unavoidable, to hide or downplay their Israeli and Jewish identities. Watch here.
  • Over 1,000 Federation professionals from across North America gathered in Chicago for FedPro, where they engaged in skill-building workshops, learnings, and discussions about the war in Israel, how it's affecting our community, and how to improve our advocacy going forward.
  • More details on these developments, and more, below.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations



  • Resources: Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here, and can refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and other resources. 
  • Map: This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • Details: For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

Israel Defense Forces Operations

The ground operation continues in full force. Overnight, IDF troops captured an important Hamas stronghold near Gaza City, and hit over 450 Hamas sites. One airstrike killed Jamal Musa, the head of Hamas’s special operations forces. The IDF also says that it has now effectively divided Gaza in two, cutting the south from the north, while allowing for a humanitarian corridor for those fleeing the fighting. Rocket launches from areas captured by Israeli troops have completely halted. Watch video footage of the fighting here, and here; and see photos here.

 

The IDF has confirmed that 31 soldiers have been killed in the battles in Gaza. Read here the story of one fallen soldier, Sgt. Roi Daoui, and here about another, Sgt. Itay Yehuda; and see the full details of all those from the IDF killed since October 7, here.

 

The IDF continues to discover terror sites in the middle of residential neighborhoods, as Hamas hides behind the civilian population. In this video, the IDF has uncovered rocket launch sites inside a mini “Luna Park” for Gazan children.

 

Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, directly threatened Hamas supreme leader yesterday, telling reporters that “Hamas leadership is responsible for this, and we will get to them. We will get to Yahya Sinwar, and we will eliminate him.” Gallant continued, “I can tell you that 12 Hamas battalion commanders have already been eliminated. We will reach everyone, to the chain of command and to the terrorists in the field. One thing I can say to the citizens of Israel - at the end of the war there will no longer be Hamas in Gaza, there will be no security threat from the Gaza Strip to Israel, and Israel will have complete freedom of action to carry out any security actions it needs against anyone who [threatens us].”

 

Over the weekend, some 61 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza from Egypt, despite repeated reports that Hamas is using emergency supplies for its own terror purposes. At the same time, the IDF opened a humanitarian corridor (the main north-south route in the Strip, Salah-al-Din Street) to allow civilians to leave the north to the safer zones in the south. During this time, the IDF refrained from conducting military activities. Sadly, the IDF safe passage was attacked by Hamas with mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and anti-tank rockets, preventing Palestinians from fleeing, as it has blocked those trying to escape in the past (listen to testimony here and see photos here). The IDF said they will open the passage again today. And overnight, in coordination with the IDF, the Jordanian Air Force airdropped medical supplies into Gaza.

 

Watch this video message of an Arabic-speaking IDF officer instructing civilians to use the corridor. The IDF has sent millions of text and voice messages (listen here), as well as dropping pamphlets from the sky (see footage here), urging civilians to leave. See fuller details here.

 

Yesterday, the IDF also attacked a Palestinian ambulance in the Gaza Strip after intelligence was received that the vehicle was carrying Hamas terrorists and weapons under the guise of a humanitarian mission. And at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, it has been established that a full third of the medical emergency evacuees that were allowed to cross into Egypt turned out to be Hamas personnel in good health. Israel also continues to warn the world of the extensive Hamas activities taking place beneath hospitals in Gaza, including the storage of weapons, fuel supplies, terror command headquarters and more. Watch this video that includes scenes of Hamas terrorists emerging from hiding under the Sheik Hamad Hospital, and see here as terrorists shoot from inside the hospital.

 

The Geneva Convention, Part II, Article 19, states: “The protection to which civilian hospitals are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy. Protection may, however, cease only after due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriate cases, a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has remained unheeded.” In other words, once terrorists use hospitals to harbor personnel and weapons, and since the hospitals serve as entrance shafts to terror tunnels, alongside the fact that terrorists shoot from within a hospital, that hospital ceases to be protected from attack under the Geneva Convention.

 

The Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry says that 9,770 Palestinians have been killed since Israel was attacked on October 7. Hezbollah says that 61 of its fighters have been killed on the northern front.

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7:

 

  • The IDF has found the remains of Ruth Peretz, a severely disabled 17-year-old who went missing along with her father during the October 7 Rave. Ruth suffered from muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Her wheelchair was found near the Gaza border a few days after the massacre, leading to initial fears she had been kidnapped and was being held hostage. Her father’s body had been found earlier. Read more here.
  • The family of Emily Hand, an eight-year-old Irish-Israeli child, had been told that Emily had been murdered by Hamas on October 7. However, new evidence suggests that she is alive and is being held captive in Gaza.
  • Watch this video of the Bedouin family of a hostage speaking of their ongoing ordeal.
  • According to authorities in Paris, at least 40 of those killed on October 7 held French citizenship.

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low, although there is at least one major barrage per day, sending millions to their shelters and exposing them to the very loud iron dome interceptions above major cities.

 

In the north, Hezbollah has continued its medium-intensity attacks across the border, while the IDF strikes at cells and the sources of fire. Yesterday, an Israeli civilian in Kiryat Shemona was killed when his car was hit by a rocket launched from Lebanon.

 

Following her comments that “Hamas did not kill babies,” Member of Knesset Iman Khatib-Yasin has been asked to resign from the Knesset by Ra’am Party leader, MK Mansour Abbas. Abbas said there was no place in his party for those who belittled Hamas’ atrocities. Ra’am became the first Arab party to join an Israeli government when it helped form the Bennett-Lapid government two and a half years ago.

International Response

CIA Chief William Burns has arrived in Israel for talks with leading political and defense officials. And, in an unusual move, the U.S. announced that it has brought a nuclear-capable Ohio-class submarine to the region. The American military does not typically announce the location of its submarines. Also, read this backgrounder on U.S. military aid to Israel during the current conflict.

 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have arrived in Israel on a solidarity visit. They met with President Isaac Herzog and relatives of hostages held in Gaza; and also toured southern towns that were attacked by Hamas on October 7. In comments to reporters, Johnson said that Hamas is an “ISIS-like death cult.” The two former leaders’ visit was hosted by Likud MK Danny Danon, who previously served as the Israeli ambassador to the UN.

 

In Lyon, a French Jewish woman was repeatedly stabbed by an unknown assailant who also daubed a swastika on the door of her apartment. The woman is hospitalized in serious condition. Read this article on the skyrocketing of antisemitism in France; as well as this disturbing article that argues that life for the Jewish community in the United Kingdom is all but over.

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

  • On Friday afternoon, a group of IDF soldiers in Gaza set up an array of very loud speakers where they broadcast a Kabbalat Shabbat service, in the hope that the hostages may hear the sounds, and give them some hope. And watch this video of soldiers making Kiddush in a tank as they drive in Gaza, and these soldiers singing just before Shabbat begins.
  • Since October 7, most residents of the largely agricultural-based kibbutzim and moshavim in the south have evacuated, leaving crops unattended. Volunteers from around the country have been descending on the area to pick fruit, harvest produce, water plants and more. See video footage here of dozens of motorbike gang members arriving in the south to join the effort.
  • One person posted on social media that they went out with a friend to a Tel Aviv restaurant, and noticed that nearby there was a table with six Givati soldiers, devouring their meal. The poster wrote that he quietly approached the Maitre d' and told him that he wanted to anonymously pay the soldiers’ check, but that he shouldn't say anything until he left, so that they wouldn't feel uncomfortable. In response the Maitre d’ gave the man a big hug and said, “Thank you so much. You're the best. But you're now the fifth person to come to me and ask to pay for their meal.”
  • See this post about the special task that these IDF soldiers based in the south have taken upon themselves.
  • Watch this moving video of an Israeli soldier, on leave from the fighting, surprising his little brother at school; and this school teacher, called up to the reserves, who surprises her class when she was given a short leave.

Analysis

Other Resources

 

  • Local Authorities: Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here. 
  • Volunteering: Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Critical Information: For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • Supplying Protective Equipment: See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • Funders: As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Solidarity Gatheings: Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Hostages: Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read more. And click here for the latest allocations report.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: November 3, 2023

The Latest:



  • At the end of the fourth week of the war with Hamas, the IDF has confirmed 23 soldiers dead in battles inside Gaza since the ground incursion began.
  • In the last 24 hours, fierce battles have been fought between the IDF and Hamas terrorists. In one attack, dozens of Hamas gunmen ambushed Golani troops, emerging from tunnels, climbing on to armored personnel carriers, and trying to gain control of IDF vehicles. The Hamas militants were successfully repelled. (Watch video footage from inside a tank during the battle here and here). In the evening hours yesterday, over 130 terrorists were killed in fighting. See more about the fighting on the ground here, watch descriptions of the battles by some of the soldiers here, and see photos here.
  • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel for his third trip since October 7. He is said to be here as another show of support for Israel, while also trying to help avoid a second front. At the same time, Vice President Kamala Harris said the United States would not seek to impose any conditions on the support it gives Israel to defend itself. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, the U.S. is flying surveillance drones over Gaza to help gather intelligence on the locations of hostages.
  • Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Emergency Fund has surpassed $600 million, $148 million of which has already been allocated to the most pressing needs on the ground through 116 partner organizations and NGOs. Read moreClick here for the latest allocations report.
  • Over 100 aid trucks entered Gaza yesterday, via the border crossing with Egypt.
  • The IDF has released a recording of a phone call from yesterday in which a Gazan medical official acknowledges that Hamas’s fuel reserves—over 260,000 gallons—are being stored directly under Gaza City’s Shifa hospital, the largest in the Strip. The IDF said “The call confirms that Hamas controls the energy and fuel resources in the Gaza Strip and chooses to direct them for terrorism. Moreover, if fuel is allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, Hamas plans to seize those resources.” (Listen to the call here).
  • The Israeli justice system is considering legislation to establish a special tribunal to try the more than 200 terrorists caught during the attacks on October 7.
  • Once again, sporadic heavy rocket attacks from Gaza were launched against Israeli targets yesterday, including strikes directed at Tel Aviv, Petah Tikvah, Bnei Brak, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Holon, and Givatayim.
  • In the north, attacks by Hezbollah, followed by Israeli reprisals continue daily. One rocket caused extensive damage, but no injuries, in Kiryat Shmone. In a veiled threat to the terror group in Lebanon, the IDF’s Chief of the General Staff said that “anyone thinking of attacking Israel” should know that “our Air Force is using up less than half its power in Gaza and planes are ready and armed with bombs for any development.”
  • Read here about Israeli preparations for the second month of war.
  • Watch this powerful video about two of the boys being held in Gaza, as narrated by their mother.

Key Resources from Jewish Federations:

 

  • The latest talking points, tools, and resources from the Community Mobilization Center can be found in the Resource Hub linked in the toolkit.
  • This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here.
  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack, and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

Update: November 2, 2023

The Latest:



  • More than three weeks into Israel’s War with Hamas, heavy fighting continues in Gaza. Eighteen Israeli soldiers have been killed, as well as hundreds of terrorists.
  • Israel's updated official numbers are now saying that at least 242 Israelis are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
  • Full details on these developments and more are below.
 
 

 

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • The JCRC of Greater Washington is holding a webinar with renowned Arab world affairs expert Ehud Yaari today (Thursday, November 2) at 4 p.m. ET. Register here.
  • The Jewish Agency for Israel invites you to join us on Sunday, November 5 at noon ET together with our partners at the National Institutions Building--the World Zionist Organization, Keren Hayesod, and the Jewish National Fund--to mark the Shloshim (traditional 30 days of mourning) since the tragic events of October 7. In memory of those who were murdered on that dark day, we will hold a ceremony at our Jerusalem headquarters, and it will be streamed live on the Jewish Agency's Facebook page.
  • In the latest episode of our podcast, The Glue, Eric Fingerhut talks about the ramifications of the war in Israel with Becky Caspi, the Director-General of Israel and Overseas and Aaron J. Goldberg, the Director of the Israel Office of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. To listen, click here.
  • Refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and resources to help you speak up for Israel. 
  • This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre, with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim, along with their age and last-known location.
  • For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.
 
 

 

Israel Defense Forces Operations

The ground operation continues in full force. Amid fierce fighting, Gaza City itself is now more or less surrounded by IDF forces after troops broke through Hamas’ forward positions and perimeter defenses. The fighting will now take place in a more dense urban area.

 

Overnight, IDF troops and tanks clashed with Hamas militants killing dozens of terrorists (watch video of ground troop operations here). The Golani Infantry Brigade led the extensive battles against Hamas members who had fired missiles, set off explosive devices, and hurled grenades at the forces. The military says the Golani troops fought back, assisted by artillery and tank shelling and by calling in an airstrike and missile strikes by the Navy. In addition, the Nahal Infantry Brigade also encountered a group of Hamas gunmen who opened fire at them and directed an aircraft to strike and kill the terror cell. Among the terrorists killed overnight was Muhammad A'sar, the head of Hamas’ Anti-Tank Missile Unit in the Gaza Strip.

 

The IDF has confirmed that 18 soldiers have been killed in the battles in Gaza. Read about the recently fallen soldiers here and see the full details of all those from the IDF killed since October 7, here.

 

In one incident overnight, Hamas sent a large group of women and children to act as human shields against IDF troops who were attacking a key compound of the terror group in the Gaza Strip. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the assault on Hamas’s Central Jabaliya Battalion base.

 

See a message from Lt-General Hertzl Halevi, the IDF Chief of Staff, to all troops here, and photos here.

 

According to the IDF, since the beginning of the war, more than 11,000 sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups have been hit.



Yesterday, 61 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza from Egypt, despite repeated reports that Hamas is using emergency supplies for its own terror purposes. Listen to this conversation between a commander of Hamas’s Western Jabaliya Battalion and a Gazan resident, with the participation of the director of the Indonesian Hospital. The call, which was intercepted by Israeli Military Intelligence, confirms that Hamas controls energy distribution in Gaza, prioritizing terrorist needs over the needs of their civilian population. In the phone call, a Hamas commander repeatedly alludes to Hamas taking fuel from the hospital’s stocks, “working as a government for the sake of the country.” See a photo of the hospital here.

 
 

 

The Home Front

The country continues to mourn the massacre of October 7 and learn more about the detailed planning in advance of the attack:

 

  • Read here about the Bedouin community in Rahat, which is mourning its losses away from the public eye.
  • Watch this chilling interrogation of one of the October 7 terrorists where he speaks clearly about the orders he was given for that day. Israel now says that it believes at least 3,000 terrorists crossed into Israel during the October 7 attacks.
  • Journalists, diplomats and others have been shown horrifying video footage of the massacres from October 7. Yesterday, a special viewing was held for members of Knesset, although many could not bear to watch (see here).
  • In this television interview, a Hamas leader says the group plans to commit additional massacres and attacks until it destroys Israel completely.
  •  See the names and details of all who were killed, here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, but there has been a barrage against Tel Aviv and the center almost every day. For reasons unknown, many rockets are fired “on the hour."

 

In the north, Hezbollah has continued its low-intensity attacks along the Lebanese border, while the IDF strikes at cells and the sources of fire. Late Tuesday night, the IDF intercepted a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanese territory.

 
 

 

International Response

Germany announced that it will completely ban all activities of Hamas, already a designated terrorist organization in the country, as well as the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun, effective next Wednesday. The country’s Interior Minister said, "With Hamas, I have today completely banned the activities of a terrorist organization whose aim is to destroy the state of Israel."

 

In the UK, the cover of The Sun newspaper featured the faces of the 32 Israeli children who have been held hostage by Hamas since October 7, under the banner “Bring them home.” The paper continued with a headline that read, “32 innocent children were snatched by terrorists. This is why Israel must fight the evil of Hamas.” See here.

 

Thai officials held direct talks with Hamas in Iran last week over the fate of 22 of the kingdom’s nationals taken hostage by the terror group on October 7. Negotiators met Hamas officials in Tehran on October 26 and were given a pledge that the Thais would be released at the “right time."

 

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry has earmarked $2.5 million for civic advocacy efforts to combat antisemitism and promote Israel’s stance globally. The financial injection comes as part of the 'Voices of Israel' initiative, a response to the heightened needs as a result of the war. The program encourages organizations and companies worldwide to engage in advocacy; they are offering a matching fund model to double their investment in these efforts.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu continued his conversations with world leaders yesterday, including with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, where he expressed his sincere condolences over the murder and abduction of Thai nationals and conveyed his appreciation for the Thai workers and their contribution to the economy. Netanyahu also spoke—for the third time since the outbreak of the war—with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and briefed him on the situation regarding the fighting. The Prime Minister thanked the Chancellor for his continued support of the State of Israel.

 

See this letter from the presidents of Israeli universities to their colleagues overseas.

 

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. Read about the struggles of the evacuees, and the help they receive, here.

 

Read here about how fallen Israeli soldiers’ organs are saving lives.

 

Israel’s economy has been hard hit by the war. Since October 7, more than 46,000 workers have been laid off or put on unpaid leave, according to data the Labor Ministry published. The majority, approximately 70%, are on unpaid leave.

 

Watch volunteers at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital helping raise spirits. And see this soldier’s request to people everywhere, as he goes into battle.

 

In a timeless tradition, soldiers often write messages on rockets or grenades before they are deployed. In this picture, you can see an IDF member has written “This one is for Chandler Bing,” a reference to the death this week of the actor who played Bing’s character on the beloved sitcom Friends.

 

Addressing the topic of the Israeli spirit in an address to the nation last night, President Isaac Herzog said, “I would like to speak of another source of great hope at this time, even now- in the fog, especially now. The Israeli spirit. An unbreakable spirit. The spirit of a storm which rose from ashes and destruction and is already blowing with all its might. This spirit has revealed itself mightily, in thousands of heroic stories from the frontline and the home front. It blows through each outreached hand, in the exemplary Israeli volunteerism and mutual responsibility, seeking to strengthen, to embrace, to support. It blows in every corner of our remarkable country – every corner. It is an eternal spirit, passed on to us from the generations before us, a spirit which will continue to guide us, generation to generation. This spirit is you--my sisters and brothers--the people of Israel. Israeli society is our true secret weapon. You are my greatest hope, our greatest hope... We have a solid country and a wonderful and magnificent people. We have important and powerful allies all over the world. We have Jewish sisters and brothers in the Diaspora who stand by us with all their might despite the attacks and threats against them. And above all, we have national resilience and unending strength.” (You can watch the President’s full address in Hebrew, here and read an English translation here).

 

 

Analysis

 

 

Other Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Read this Jerusalem Post piece on efforts by Jewish Federations of North America, who have announced that we have collectively raised $554 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign. The campaign was launched on October 12th with an initial goal of $500 million. To date, $111 million have been allocated to over 60 organizations in Israel to support frontline communities, the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, medical equipment, support for first responders and volunteer efforts. One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that can do the most good on the ground.
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

Jewish Federations

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact:

JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: November 1, 2023

The Latest:



  • More than three weeks into Israel’s War with Hamas, 13 Israeli soldiers were confirmed killed in heavy fighting in Gaza.
  • Long-range rockets fired at Israel by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen were intercepted over the Red Sea.
  • Full details on these developments and more are below.
 
 

 

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

 

  • Refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and resources to help you speak up for Israel. 
  • JDC will hold an Israel Emergency Briefing, with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin, media commentator and director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University in Herzliya, for an overview of the situation on the ground and the issues facing Israel’s society. The call will also feature speakers from the JDC team in Israel about their efforts to support those affected by the war. Today, Wednesday, November 1st, at 12:00 PM (ET). Register here.
  • Member of the Security Cabinet, Minister Benny Gantz, has sent this special video message to our Jewish communities.
  • This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre, with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim, along with their age and last known location.
  • For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.
 
 

 

Israel Defense Forces Operations

The ground operation into Gaza appears to have expanded considerably, with heavy clashes against Hamas reported. Thirteen Israeli soldiers have been confirmed dead. Commenting on the heavy losses, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We are in a difficult war. It will be a long war. We have important achievements in it, but also painful losses. We know that each of our soldiers is a whole world. The entire nation of Israel embraces you, the families, from the bottom of our hearts. We are all with you in your time of great sorrow. Our soldiers fell in an unjust war—the war for our home. I promise you, citizens of Israel: We will complete the job. We will continue until victory.”

 

Among the IDF soldiers killed in Gaza yesterday, eight from the Givati Infantry Brigade were in a single APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). One of them, Second Lieutenant Pedayah Marc, lost his father in a terror attack on their family car seven years ago. Pedayah, 13 years old at the time, was injured along with his mother. His uncle was among those murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. See photos and details of some of the fallen here.

 

Overnight, ground forces directed the Air Force to strike a building in Jabaliya where a number of Hamas operatives were gathered. The IDF says the multi-story building was “located near a school, medical center, and government offices.”

 

Another operation involved airstrikes and ground forces taking control of a compound that the IDF said was used by Hamas’s Central Jabaliya Battalion (see graphic here). Several buildings in the area were destroyed, and the IDF said they were brought down when Hamas terror tunnels beneath them collapsed following airstrikes targeting the head of the battalion and terror infrastructure. Some 50 terrorists were reported killed during the mission. See video here and photos here. And watch the IDF Chief of Staff Hertzl Halevi at a command center here.

 

Among those Hamas members killed was the terrorist Ibrahim Biari. Since the entry of IDF soldiers into the Gaza Strip, Biari has been in charge of all fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. He was also involved in sending terrorists to the attack at the Ashdod port in 2004, in which 13 Israelis were murdered, and was responsible for directing rocket fire at Israel for two decades.

 

According to the IDF, since the beginning of the war, some 11,000 sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups have been hit.



Read this piece for background on Israel’s ground invasion, and listen here to the radio message by the Head of IDF Southern Command to soldiers about to enter Gaza.

 

The IDF has significantly bolstered the Red Sea area with Navy missile boats, following several missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. See photos here and video here. The military says it has several layers of air defenses in the area to protect against Houthi attacks. The US military is also deployed in the Red Sea region and intercepted a number of missiles and drones heading for Israel from Yemen two weeks ago.

 

The Houthi strikes from Yemen, located more than 1,000 miles from Israel, included an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), two cruise missiles, and a ballistic surface-to-surface missile. The cruise missiles, flying more or less at the speed of a jet plane, are relatively easy to intercept given the lengthy flight time. The UAV, slower than a cruise missile, is similarly easy to detect and stop. However, the ballistic missiles supplied to the Houthis by Iran are a far more significant challenge. Yesterday, the ballistic missile was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow, a long-range missile designed to intercept ballistic missiles when their trajectory takes them outside the earth’s atmosphere. It is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles and detonate them far enough from the earth so as not to cause any damage should they be carrying chemical, biological, or nuclear warheads. It is not known whether the Arrow intercepted the Houthi missile inside or outside the atmosphere. This was the first operational use of the Arrow, which was jointly developed by Israel and the United States. Read more about the Houthi threat here.

 

Israel’s National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegbi, clarified Israel’s goals in the war yesterday. In his remarks, he said, “The operational goal that was defined for the IDF is unequivocal: to destroy the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad so that there will no longer be a threat to the citizens of Israel from the Gaza Strip... All of the terms of the past are gone and have dissipated. There are no more 'rounds', 'operations', or other amorphous terms such as'strengthening deterrence', 'exacting a price', or 'etching in their consciousness'. The massacre of October 7th dissolved the illusion that we are facing an enemy that would not dare to risk its own absolute destruction."

 
 

 

The Home Front

The government has released more information about the tragic aftermath of the October 7 massacres. It was announced that:

  • 20 children (aged less than 18) lost both of their parents.
  • A further 18 young people aged 18–25 lost both parents.
  • 96 children lost one parent.
  • Kibbutz Nir-Oz was one of the communities that were devastated on October 7. Of the 400 residents, 25 were killed and 75 were taken hostage. All but six houses in the Kibbutz were burned down or demolished by the terrorists. Despite the devastation, the Kibbutz treasurer sent a letter yesterday to all the suppliers the Kibbutz had worked with, apologizing that the Kibbutz’ computers burned down and all their files were gone, and asking suppliers to send him copies of the invoices they had sent over the last two months so that the Kibbutz can ensure that suppliers are paid as soon as possible.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, but there has been a barrage against Tel Aviv and the center every day. Many have noted that, for reasons unknown, many rockets are fired “on the hour.”

 

In the north, Hezbollah continues to attack along the Lebanese border area, including mortar shells toward Rosh Hanikra, rockets near Moshav Elkosh, and three anti-tank missiles fired towards Biranit. No injuries were reported. Late in the afternoon, there were shots fired at army positions on the border, and two mortars launched from Lebanon landed in open areas near Tel-Hai College. The IDF is continuously retaliating.

 
 

 

International Response

International ResponseFor the first time since October 7, Egypt is allowing some people to leave Gaza. Those holding foreign passports, as well as a number of severely wounded, are being granted permission to cross the Gaza border into Egypt starting today.

 

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jack Lew to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, despite opposition to President Joe Biden’s nominee by Republican senators over Lew’s defense of the Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement. Lew served as Treasury Secretary under President Obama. The United States has been without a confirmed ambassador for Israel since the summer, when Thomas Nides departed the role. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he will return to Israel this Friday, his second visit since fighting began.

 

According to The New York Times, U.S. commandos are in Israel to help with efforts to locate hostages held in Gaza. The report quotes Assistant Secretary of Defense Christopher P. Maier, telling a Washington conference: “We’re actively helping the Israelis to do a number of things.” He says the main task is to assist in the work to “identify hostages, including American hostages. It’s really our responsibility to do so.” The Times claims that several dozen US Special Operations forces have been sent, in addition to a team that was already in Israel for training. The report also says that several Western countries have secretly moved special forces closer to Israel to help with the potential rescue of hostages or for large-scale evacuations from Israel or Lebanon if the fighting widens.

 

Nearly 2,500 Holocaust survivors and their descendants sent President Joe Biden a letter thanking him for supporting Israel following the terrorist massacre Hamas carried out on October 7th. Read more.

 

Despite many in the Muslim world taking an anti-Israel stance in the current war, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Arab Emirates Federal National Council, said that the Abraham Accords, which brought normalization of relations between Israel and his country, were not at risk. "This is the third war in Gaza. Whenever there is something happening in Gaza, people come to us and ask, ‘What do you think of the Abraham Accords. Are you going to change?’ (But) the Accords are our future. It is not an agreement between two governments, but a platform that we believe should transform the region, where everyone will enjoy security, stability, and prosperity.” And see this post.

 

The Israel Foreign Affairs Ministry presented extremely graphic video footage of the atrocities done by Hamas on October 7 to approximately 70 ambassadors on Tuesday. The images have not been shared publicly but have been screened for journalists and others.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu held a series of conversations with world leaders yesterday, including Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister Netanyahu updated the leaders on the war and thanked them for their unreserved support for the State of Israel. The Prime Minister said that “Israel's war against Hamas-ISIS is also the war of the entire enlightened world.”

 

  • Read here some background on European views of the Gaza War.
 

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. See what these volunteers have accomplished.

 

See this video of one rabbi’s initiative to help soldiers with their laundry. The rabbi built a truck with multiple washing machines and dryers connected to water and a generator. He is able to turn up to the fields at the front and give the reservists the chance to wash their uniforms and more. much-needed, and appreciated service for the troops.

 

In a seemingly illogical twist, many Israeli news broadcasts are advising people to take a break from watching them, in order to help with their mental health. Watch here.

 

Read this article on how Israelis are being uncharacteristically polite and kind.

 

Watch this video compilation of fighting women soldiers, featuring some who have undertaken heroic missions in the past few weeks.

 

 

Other Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program, where people from outside of Israel can come to Tel Aviv and take part in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market, including work to sort, pack and distribute goods for civil and military personnel.
  • Read this Jerusalem Post piece on efforts by Jewish Federations of North America, who have announced that we have collectively raised $554 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign. The campaign was launched on October 12th with an initial goal of $500 million. To date, $121 million have been allocated to over 60 organizations in Israel to support frontline communities, the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, medical equipment, support for first responders and volunteer efforts. One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that can do the most good on the ground.
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (Jdc)

 

  • 10,500 students in 65 vocational schools are benefitting from JDC’s online portal for vocational schools. The portal offers teachers educational guidelines for emergency situations and lesson plans and activities to strengthen the teachers' and students' emotional health. The materials are designed for both remote and in-person engagement and are available in Hebrew and Arabic.
  • JDC is developing a network of community caseworkers in 47 local authorities in the north (11) and south (36) of Israel - home to 150,000 needy elderly and vulnerable people with disabilities. The community caseworkers work closely with local social service departments to locate the elderly and people with disabilities without a support network, provide immediate emotional support, and connect them to community-based services and assistance. The first 15 community caseworkers were recently deployed in 13 local authorities in the south of Israel.
  • JDC is working with municipal professionals in the southern cities of Ashkelon, Ofakim and Rahat to assist in the rehabilitation of those cities' infrastructure and services, promoting both immediate and long-term responses to the crisis. The combined population of the three cities is 260,000 - a high percentage of whom are vulnerable and poor citizens, with most residents not evacuated from their homes and enduring daily rocket attacks and ongoing trauma.
  • The city of Eilat received the highest number of evacuees - its population doubling from 60,000 to 120,000 within days. Eilat has faced significant challenges related to well-being, education, and youth services for its existing and new populations. JDC is working with local authorities to identify areas where it can facilitate government support and provide assistance to strengthen its welfare and social services.
  • JDC is working with nine Bedouin communities in the south, home to 120,000 Bedouin, to help them access emergency related government and public funding. Many Arab municipalities are unfamiliar with, and inexperienced in, the process of applying for public funding, and rely on JDC to help them navigate the bureaucracy and access the funding allocated to their region and population in a timely manner.
 
 

 

Jewish Federations

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: October 31, 2023

THE LATEST:

 

  • More than three weeks into Israel’s War with Hamas, the IDF has successfully rescued one of the hostages, leaving 240 still in captivity.
  • Israel’s ground campaign continues, with reports suggesting that Gaza City is now surrounded by Israeli forces.
  • Full details on these developments, and more, below.
 
 

 

KEY RESOURCES FROM JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

  • Refer to the Community Mobilization Center Resource Hub for the latest talking points, tools and resources to help you speak up for Israel. 
  • JDC will hold an Israel Emergency Briefing tomorrow, Wednesday November 1 at noon ET, with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin, media commentator and director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University in Herzliya. Hear an overview of the situation on the ground and the issues facing Israel’s society. The call will also feature speakers from the JDC team in Israel about their efforts to support those affected by the war. Register here.
  • Member of the Security Cabinet, Minister Benny Gantz, has sent this special video message to our Jewish communities.
  • This site shows a map of the October 7 massacre with a red dot for every person killed and a black dot for every person abducted by Hamas. Clicking on any dot will show the name and picture (if available) of the victim with age and last known location.
  • For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update. And for information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.
  • Birthright Israel has opened a volunteering program for people from outside of Israel to come to Tel Aviv and assist in food rescue operations to prevent shortages in the Israeli market; this includes sorting, packing, and distributing goods for both civil and military personnel.
  • Click here for the Jewish Federations toolkit of resources.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.
 
 

 

THE HOME FRONT

 

In a rare piece of good news, the IDF has successfully rescued one of the hostages. A 19-year old woman soldier, Pvt. Ori Megidish, was reunited with her family and is reportedly in good condition (see photo here). Megidish was an observation soldier, taken hostage by Hamas when terrorists stormed the Nahal Oz base over three weeks ago. See more here, and watch here as Ori embraces her grandmother for the first time. And see the IDF announcement here.

 

Meanwhile, Hamas released a propaganda video Monday showing three Israeli women held hostage by the terror group. In what appears to be a scripted statement, the women accuse Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to prevent the October 7 attacks and called on him to secure their release. Also yesterday, Israeli media reported that Mossad head David Barnea, made a secret trip to Qatar in an effort to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas.



Also yesterday, German-Israeli Shani Louk, who was seen paraded by terrorists in Gaza, has been confirmed dead. The Israeli ZAKA rescue organization identified pieces of skull belonging to the young woman, and informed her family that she cannot be alive without it. Louk’s parents expressed some relief that she’s not suffering, but understand that a funeral is not possible right now.

 

 

  • Natalie Raanan has arrived back in Chicago, ten days after being released from Hamas captivity along with her mother Judith. Raanan was visiting family in Israel and was taken hostage into Gaza by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks.
  • Read this story of how a Harry Potter fan’s murder on October 7 reverberates from Israel to Boston.
  • See this story about a 75-year-old Holocaust educator being held hostage in Gaza.
  • And read this account by Robert Tiviyaev who lost 17 friends and neighbors on October 7.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, but there has been a barrage against Tel Aviv and the center every day. Yesterday rockets were fired at Jerusalem for the first time in over a week.

 

Following a drone infiltration alert in Eilat, reports suggest that a projectile, possibly launched from Yemen, was intercepted over the Red Sea before it reached the resort city. Residents of Eilat, which has doubled in size over the last three weeks (with Israelis displaced from both the south and the north moving in), reported hearing explosions. The unidentified projectile was shot down near the Saudi-Jordanian border; it had likely been fired by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

 

In a second incident, a surface-to-surface missile was fired toward Israeli territory from the area of the Red Sea and was successfully intercepted by the “Arrow” Aerial Defense System. IDF systems tracked the trajectory of the missile, and the IDF added that “Air Force jets were scrambled at the time, and intercepted aerial threats identified in the area of the Red Sea. All aerial threats were intercepted outside of Israeli territory.”



In the North, rocket and other attacks continue to take place from both Lebanon and Syria, as do retaliatory Israeli strikes.

 
 

 

ISRAELI RESPONSE

 

As the ground operation continues, Israeli troops clashed with terror cells inside Gaza who launched missiles and directed heavy machine gunfire at the forces. The IDF says its soldiers killed members of the terror cells, and directed the Air Force to carry out strikes during the fighting. The IDF is said to have surrounded Gaza City from both the north and the south. Watch video here of IDF troops fighting on the ground, and view photos here.

 

Overnight, the military carried out attacks against some 300 Hamas targets in Gaza, from the ground, and through air and navy forces. Sites destroyed included anti-tank guided missile and rocket launch positions, tunnel entrances and Hamas military compounds.

 

IDF fighter jets killed the Commander of the Beit Lahia Battalion of Hamas' Northern Brigade, Nasim Abu Ajina, who directed the massacres on October 7 in Kibbutz Erez and Moshav Netiv HaAsara. Abu Ajina had commanded Hamas' Aerial Array; he took part in the development of the UAVs and paragliders of the terrorist organization. According to the IDF, his elimination significantly decreases the ability of Hamas to disrupt the IDF's ground activities.

 

An additional 39 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza yesterday, bringing to 171 the total number of trucks that have provided hundreds of tons of aid. The day before, 45 trucks bad entered the Strip. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that “Even as we work to provide fuel for essential humanitarian services, Hamas continues to maintain extensive fuel reserves. Rather than provide that fuel to hospitals or aid workers or for other civilian needs, however, it continues to hoard it for the benefit of its fighters and to carry out its terrorist attacks against Israel.”

 

Meanwhile, Israel has reopened the second of three water pipelines that provide water to the Gaza Strip, allowing for a total of 7.5 million gallons a day to flow from Israel. Israel says there is now enough water being supplied to Gaza for basic humanitarian needs and that there is no shortage of either food or water for the territory’s residents. Read more on humanitarian supplies and needs here.

 

In a message to foreign journalists, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “I want to make clear Israel’s position regarding a ceasefire. Just as the United States would not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the terrorist attack of 9/11, Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of October 7th.”

See his full remarks here.

 

Also, watch this clip in which the interviewer asks senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk, “When you built 500 km of tunnels in Gaza, why didn't you build shelters for civilians from the attacks?” Abu Marzouk answers: “The tunnels are for us (Hamas). The citizens in the Gaza Strip are under the responsibility of the United Nations.”

 

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan wore a yellow Star of David that read “Never Again,” as he addressed members of the UN Security Council at United Nations headquarters yesterday. Erdan told the Security Council he and his staff would wear the stars until members of the body condemned Hamas’s “atrocities.”

 

In response, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum director Dani Dayan said the move “dishonors both the victims of the Holocaust and the State of Israel.” He added that “The yellow patch symbolizes the helplessness of the Jewish people and being at the mercy of others. Today we have an independent country and a strong army. We are masters of our destiny. Today we place a blue-white flag on the lapel, not a yellow patch."

 

Tom Nides, who joined Wells Fargo Bank just over one month ago as vice chairman following the 20 months he served as the US ambassador to Israel, has resigned “to return his attention to events in the Middle East.” Nides said, “Watching the horrific events unfold in Israel and Gaza these past few weeks have had a profound effect on me, in ways that I could not have imagined.While my tenure as ambassador ended a few short months ago, I now feel an obligation to turn my attention back to the region, and continue to provide whatever assistance I can, outside of an official government role, to help find solutions for the people living there.” The former ambassador said he will work with UJA Federation New York and others “to bring whatever expertise I can, immediately.”

 

Meanwhile, in a sign of his strong backing of Israel, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired his fellow Conservative MP Paul Bristow, the parliamentary private secretary to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, for calling for a “permanent” cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

 

Six out of the seven living Australian former prime ministers signed a joint letter in support of Israel. The letter described October 7 as “the single largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust,” and likened the act's cruelty and violence to that of ISIS. Read more here.

 

Analysis:

 

 

EFFORTS ON THE GROUND

 

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. See what these volunteers have accomplished.

 

Read this story about how thousands of Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jews are volunteering for efforts.

 

Israel Channel 12 Television published a survey of the attitude of haredi Israelis towards the IDF. The survey was conducted by Dr. Nahumi Yaffe of Tel Aviv University comparing Haredi attitudes between March 2022 and October 2023. Results included:     

 

  • “I should contribute to Israel’s military effort": 35% in March 2022, 52% in October 2023.
  • “The Haredi public should find a way to contribute to Israel’s war effort”: 30% in March 2022, 60% in October 2023.
  • "Haredi men need to have basic military training for a time of need": 59% in March 2022, 76% in October 2023.
  • “Israel needs a strong army": 80% in March 2022, 85% in October 2023.

 

Watch these children in a school in Ra’anana welcoming evacuees from Netivot in the south. The school’s principal was given permission to leave his reserve unit for a few hours to be there, and lead the kids in.

 

Buildings in Israel constructed before the early 1990s do not have designated shelters, and, upon hearing a siren, residents are instructed to run to the internal communal stairwell. Inevitably, some people are caught in the shower or other difficult situations when a siren sounds, often leading to uncomfortable scenes, which many are humorously documenting. See here.

 

Watch this clip of a passenger's musical tribute to Israel on board at Southwest Airlines flight.

 

 

OTHER RESOURCES

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.
  • Read this Jerusalem Post piece on efforts by Jewish Federations of North America, who have announced that we have collectively raised $554 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign. The campaign was launched on October 12th with an initial goal of $500 million. To date, $111 million has been allocated to over 60 organizations in Israel to support frontline communities, the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, medical equipment, support for first responders and volunteer efforts. One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that do the most good on the ground.
  • Read this joint message from Jewish Federations’ Chair Julie Platt and President & CEO Eric Fingerhut.
  • Julie Platt appeared on Jewish Rock Radio’s “Unity in Harmony” virtual solidarity concert for Israel, sponsored by Jewish Federations, which featured David Broza, Rick Recht, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, and many other artists. To watch the concert, click here.
  • Watch this special video by the Maccabeats and other groups, singing a tribute with the prayer for Israel’s armed forces. The video includes a call to donate to Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Fund.
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch a compilation here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL

 

The Jewish Agency continues to be active on the ground. At present:



  • 3,946 grants have been transferred through the Fund for Victims of Terror and an additional 800 are in process (for a total of more than 4,800 cases to date). The Fund is also providing financial support for families of civilians taken hostage, and its Hotline has received 3,643 calls.
  • As of today, 1,250 olim from the south and 523 olim from the north have been evacuated to safer locations elsewhere in the country.
  • In buildings belonging to the Agency’s elderly care facilities, Amigour, workers have been stocking communal bomb shelters with food and supplies in case there is a need for long-term use.
  • Small businesses in the south can now apply to receive emergency grants of up to $5,000. Small businesses in the south can also apply for interest-free loans up to $25,000. The Agency already has some 1,500 initial enquiries, with 58 applications already in process.
  • More than 1,400 volunteers have been recruited for Jewish Agency efforts.
 
 

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: October 30, 2023

Key Points:



  • More than three weeks into Israel’s War with Hamas, a ground offensive has begun but has not, as yet, taken the exact form that many had expected.
  • The IDF has updated its numbers and now says that 309 soldiers have been killed and that 234 people have been confirmed to have been taken hostage, with 4 released, leaving 230 now in Hamas captivity.
  • Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Muslim rioters stormed a Russian airport trying to find “Israelis and Jews” they believed had landed on a flight from Israel. No Israelis were hurt.
  • Full details on these developments and more are below.
 
 

 

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Join our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, for a webinar, Israel at War: Media, the War, and Helping the Victims, October 31, 2023, 11am ET, featuring Avi Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, and Yehuda Setton, Chief Operating Officer of The Jewish Agency. Register here.
  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding-impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • Read this Jerusalem Post piece on efforts by Jewish Federations of North America, who have announced that we have collectively raised $554 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign. The campaign was launched on October 12th with an initial goal of $500 million. To date, $121 million has been allocated to over 60 organizations in Israel to support frontline communities, the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, medical equipment, support for first responders, and volunteer efforts. One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that can do the most good on the ground.
  • Read this joint message from Jewish Federations’ Chair Julie Platt and President & CEO Eric Fingerhrut.
  • Julie Platt appeared on Jewish Rock Radio’s “Unity in Harmony” virtual solidarity concert for Israel, sponsored by Jewish Federations, which featured David Broza, Rick Recht, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, and many other artists. To watch the concert, click here.
  • Watch this special video by the Maccabeats and other groups singing a tribute with the prayer for Israel’s armed forces. The video includes a call to donate to the Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Fund.
  • Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.
 
 

 

The Home Front



Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

  • On Shabbat, a nine-year-old Israeli girl died after she suffered cardiac arrest when an incoming rocket siren was activated in her home city of Ashdod.
  • Read this account of how a 19-year-old Israeli soldier died on October 7, shielding his friends from a Hamas grenade. The soldier, Matan Abergil, a resident of Hermesh in Samaria and the youngest of four children, saved six fellow soldiers from certain death.
  • Watch this moving video about three of the hostages, called “Bring Keith, Aviva, and Vivian Home!”
  • Read this article about a religious American woman who is an Israeli Air Force reservist who flew back to the Jewish State when the war began to help keep Israel's F-35 jets in the air.
  • Three men returned to Kfar Aza yesterday. They were among the first defenders of the Kibbutz on October 7 and were part of the team who killed over 100 Hamas terrorists. When they entered the Kibbutz in a tank that day, they ran over a tree and destroyed it. Yesterday, the three soldiers planted a new orange tree in the same spot, a sign of the rebuilding that will yet come. See the picture here, including the felled tree in the background.
  • See this piece about the experiences of a first-responder medic on October 7.
 

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, but there has been a barrage against Tel Aviv and the center every day. Since October 7, approximately 7,800 rockets have been fired toward Israel. Rocket fire from the north is ongoing. Yesterday, a house in Kiryat Shmone suffered a direct hit, but no injuries were reported.

 

For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

In the North, rockets and other attacks continue to take place from both Lebanon and Syria. Israel’s retaliatory strikes also continue, and the U.S. military has hit numerous pro-Iranian targets in Syria.

 
 

 

Israeli Response



The IDF has launched a ground offensive into Gaza. Over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “second stage of the campaign to destroy Hamas” had begun. Sitting next to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and fellow war cabinet minister Benny Gantz at a Tel Aviv press conference, Netanyahu announced: “This is the second stage of the war whose goals are clear—to destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home.” He stressed that the decision to begin ground operations had been made unanimously, both by the war cabinet and the security cabinet.

 

Read the Prime Minister’s full remarks here. And watch here a statement on the new phase of the war by the IDF Chief of Staff, Herzl Halevi.

 

Many had expected a mass incursion, with perhaps tens of thousands of troops entering Gaza at once. Instead, so far, the invasion is taking the shape of smaller forces entering strategic locations, completing specific missions, and, in many instances, withdrawing again. These missions include removing anti-tank weaponry, directing aerial strikes with real-time intelligence, and other tasks that could be preparing for a larger-scale incursion.

 

Overnight, the military carried out strikes against some 600 Hamas targets in Gaza, including weapons storage sites, hideouts, and staging grounds. IDF troops also killed dozens of Hamas members who had barricaded themselves in buildings in Gaza and tried to attack IDF soldiers. In one incident, ground troops directed the Air Force to carry out a drone strike on a Hamas staging ground, killing more than 20 operatives. In another incident, an Air Force fighter struck an anti-tank guided missile launch position and a number of Hamas operatives who were identified by ground troops near Al-Azhar University in Gaza City. See video footage of IDF activities inside Gaza here and photos here. And see here for photos of the IDF Chief of Staff on the ground near the Gaza front.

 

Read this analysis of whether Israel may actually topple Hamas during the war. And see this piece on the international legal aspects of the war.

 

Over the weekend, the IDF released footage showing an interrogation of Hamas terrorists, who confirmed that the terror group has a major center and hideout located under Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza. See footage of the testimonies here and here. The IDF Spokesperson had earlier held a briefing for foreign media in which he presented proof that Hamas' main headquarters are in a vast underground complex below Gaza’s most important hospital.

 

More than 30 aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, the largest convoy since deliveries began over a week ago.

 

The Hamas-run health ministry claims that at least 8,005 Palestinians have been killed and more than 17,000 others wounded. These numbers have not been substantiated.

 

 

International Response



The U.S. has announced that it will be sending military advisers to Israel, including an expert in urban warfare from American fighting in Iraq. The U.S. has already sent two Navy carrier groups to the region, which it says are meant to deter Iran and Hezbollah from trying to enter the war. In addition, it has also sent a 2,000-marine quick-response force to the area.

 

According to a new poll, 88% of Americans think that Israel has a right to respond to Hamas militarily. See more results here.

 

In harrowing scenes that spread across social media last night, hundreds of people stormed into the main airport in Russia’s majority-Muslim Dagestan region and onto the tarmac in an apparent attempt to attack Israeli and Jewish passengers arriving on a Russian flight from Israel. According to local reports, many on the flight were Muslim Dagestani children who had undergone medical treatment in Israel. On video, the protesters can be seen chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great), storming the airport, rushing past security, breaking through doors and barriers, with some running onto the runway. Earlier, many of the protestors had overtaken a local hotel where they had been told Jews were staying. The rioters went room-to-room, demanding to see guests’ passports in order to find Israelis, or those with “Jewish names.” No Israelis or other Jews were hurt in the incidents, and 60 protestors were arrested. During the riots, Israel’s National Security Council was in close contact with Russian authorities, demanding that they intervene and protect civilians. Watch dramatic footage of the rioters here.

 

Read here about the existential struggles that Lebanon will face if it becomes fully embroiled in the war.

 

As increasingly fierce protests against Israel – and local Jewish communities – take place across the world, read this opinion piece in the Times of Israel, “Shock at the October 7 catastrophe gives way to horror and fury at global immorality.” And watch actress Mayim Bialik speak out against growing anti-Semitism.

 

 

Efforts on the Ground



Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. In this video, see details about an amazing operation to coordinate thousands of volunteers to help soldiers, evacuate citizens, and others.

 

In a curious trend, thousands of those called for reserve duty are growing mustaches in an apparent attempt to fashion a “retro-look,” harking back to the days of the Yom Kippur War when mustaches were in vogue. See more here. And watch this fun video produced by some reserve soldiers, sporting their retro look.

 

One of the more emotional moments in any conflict, are scenes of soldiers returning from the front, and being reunited with family members, even if only briefly. See some footage here.

 

Watch this video attempt to raise spirits with a “Hatikva Flash Mob” aboard the Jerusalem light-rail.

 

Across the country, citizens are increasingly concerned about their personal security. In Jerusalem, dozens of women have begun self-defense classes. Read more here.

 

As far away as New Zealand, people have rallied for the hostages. Watch this video of a traditional Maori Haka Dance on behalf of those being held captive by Hamas.

 

Read here about how Ashdod Port, close to Gaza, continues to operate critical operations, even under intense rocket fire.

 

Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Fund is supporting a new venture to support dozens of post-traumatic children aged six to seventeen who need informal, comprehensive, care for at least two to three months. Israeli philanthropist Ronni Douek has launched Yeladenu, the Resilience for Our Children, with several million dollars of his own funds and with Federations and other groups also contributing.

 

 

Other Resources



  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

Jewish Federations

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 
 

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

Shabbat Shalom.

Update: October 27, 2023

The Latest

  • At the end of third week of the War with Hamas, Israel sent tanks and troops into Gaza for the second time. They went in overnight for a limited incursion that struck terrorists and sites on the ground. The raid, in eastern Gaza City, was carried out by infantry, combat engineering and armored forces, with Israeli Air Force drones and helicopters providing air cover. All Israeli forces left the areas several hours later, and no injuries to IDF troops were reported. See footage from the incursion here and video from the command center during the operation, here.
  • Jewish Federations of North America announced that we have collectively raised $554 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign. The campaign was launched on October 12th with an initial goal of $500 million. To date, $121.6 million has been allocated to over 60 organizations in Israel to support frontline communities, the Fund for Victims of Terror, trauma relief, medical equipment, support for first responders and volunteer efforts. One hundred percent of all funds raised are making it into the hands of the organizations that can do the most good on the ground.
  • Once again, sporadic heavy rocket attacks from Gaza were launched against Israeli targets yesterday, including strikes directed at Tel Aviv, Petah Tikvah, Jaffa, Bnei Brak, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Holon, and Givatayim. One rocket caused damage, but no injuries, in Rehovot.
  • Israel continues to strike Hamas targets from the air. One attack yesterday killed the deputy head of Hamas’s intelligence directorate, Shadi Barud, while another hit the head of Hamas’s North Khan Younis rocket array, Hassan al-Abdullah. In the evening, an IDF strike killed three senior commanders in Hamas’s Daraj-Tuffah Battalion: the battalion’s commander, Rifaat Abbas; the deputy commander, Ibrahim Jadba; and a combat support commander, Tarek Maarouf.
  • In the north, attacks by Hezbollah, followed by Israeli reprisals continue daily. Yesterday, the IDF targeted a cell of terrorists who attempted to launch anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from Lebanese territory towards an IDF position on the border. An Israeli UAV struck the terrorist position in response to the attack.
  • Meanwhile, on the Home Front, citizens of all stripes are contributing to the war effort. A study just released showed that 48% of Israelis have participated actively in some form of volunteer activity since the war began, including 3% from Israel’s Arab sector. In total, there are over 1,000 civilian initiatives in support of the IDF and of the communities that have been displaced in the south and in the north. Over 240 “command centers” for civilian volunteer operations have been set up around the country to coordinate these activities. See also, this article on why the ultra-Orthodox are suddenly enlisting in significant numbers in the IDF.
  • In a sign of both increasing American and Iranian involvement, the U.S. military used precision strikes in Syria, to attack weapons and ammunition storage areas that were connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Two F-16 fighter jets carried out the sortie on sites near the town of Boukamal near the Iraqi border. See this analysis by Ehud Ya’ari, one of Israel’s top specialists on the Muslim world, on Iranian involvement in the conflict.
  • Read this article by JUF Jewish Federation of Chicago’s Israel representative, “Resetting the Israel-Diaspora Relationship” in light of the war.
  • And read this account from one IDF Givati Company Commander who grabbed his weapon and headed south when fighting broke out on October 7
  • As the war continues, so does Aliyah. Yesterday, 26 French Jews immigrated to Israel together. See more here.
 
 

 

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

  • Listen to the new episode of our Podcast “The Glue,” in which we discuss our community’s response to the horrific Hamas attack on Israel, take comfort in the acts of hope we’re witnessing, and discuss how we can restore our sense of security. Listen now.
  • Join our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, for a webinar - Israel at War: Media, the War, and Helping the Victims, October 31, 2023 - 11am EDT, featuring Avi Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, and Yehuda Setton, Chief Operating Officer of The Jewish Agency. Register here.
  • Join Jewish Federations on Monday, October 30, at 12pm ET for a basic introduction on how to prepare for and navigate interviews with the press, tackle tough questions, and make sure your message gets through. The webinar is open to all Federation professionals and board members, but is specifically recommended for CEO/Presidents, Board Chairs, and Marketing/Comms professionals. This training is an offering of the newly launched Community Mobilization Center. To register for the webinar, please click here.
  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

Shabbat Shalom.

Update: October 26, 2023

THE LATEST

• On day 20 of Israel’s War with Hamas, Israeli forces, including tanks, again entered Gaza on land for a few hours, completed their mission, and then withdrew.

 

• The IDF has updated its numbers and now says that 309 soldiers have been killed, and that 228 people can be confirmed taken hostage, with 4 released, leaving 224 now in Hamas captivity. 

 

• Prime Minister Netanyahu said yesterday in a televised address that Israel is preparing to invade Gaza, but offered no details on the timing or other information.

 

• Full details on these developments, and more, below.

 

KEY RESOURCES FROM JEWISH FEDERATIONS

• Join us today, Thursday, October 26, at 1pm ET as we highlight the impact of our Federation advocacy and allocations. Hear personal stories from our leaders on the ground, and a briefing on community advocacy and the impact of our collective allocations. To register for the webinar, please click here.

 

• Join our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, for a webinar - "Israel at War: Media, the War, and Helping the Victims," on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 11am ET, featuring Avi Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, and Yehuda Setton, Chief Operating Officer of The Jewish Agency. Register here.

 

• Join Jewish Federations on Monday, October 30, at noon ET for a basic introduction on how to prepare for and navigate interviews with the press, tackle tough questions, and make sure your message gets through. The webinar is open to all Federation professionals and board members, but is specifically recommended for CEO/Presidents, Board Chairs, and Marketing/Comms. This training is an offering of the newly launched Community Mobilization Center. To register for the webinar, please click here.

 

• Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.

 

• Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.



• Additional resources can be found at the end of this update.

 
 

 

THE HOME FRONT

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas.

 

• Four more bodies of murdered Israelis were discovered in the vicinity of nearly-destroyed Kibbutz Be'eri. These join the 130 previously recovered bodies of civilians murdered by Hamas in the kibbutz on October 7. See newly released video here of the destruction of Be’eri, including the destroyed kindergarten.

 

• Read this story of Yisrael, from Kibbutz Kissufim, who discovered that his wife had been killed by fire during the attacks.

 

• Two months ago, like in thousands of other kindergartens across the country, an end of year party took place at the Nir Oz Kindergarten. Every child in this photo from that event was either killed, orphaned, injured, or taken captive by Hamas.

 

• See this piece of the experiences of a tank commander who rushed to the south to fight the terrorists on October 7.

 

• The IDF has in its possession hours of horrific and graphic footage of the massacres that took place. Some was taken from security cameras, some from liberating troops, and others from GoPro cameras mounted on the terrorists during their rampage. Some of these images, including those depicting rapes, beheadings, the murder of babies, and even the forced removal of a fetus from its mother, have been presented to international media, as well as global leaders, who have described the materials as incomprehensible and devastating.

 

Some of the less extreme (but still horrifying) footage is being shared on social media, but while Jewish Federations understand that it may be important for certain international players to see this, we prefer to extend as much honor and respect as possible to the victims and will continue to avoid linking to these materials. Read more here.

 

• The ANU Museum (formerly Diaspora Museum) in Tel Aviv is screening the names and faces of the hostages and artwork about them on the museum façade. Watch a short clip here.

 

The level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, but another large barrage was fired at the center of the country last night. One apartment building in Rishon LeTzion suffered a direct hit, and six people were lightly injured (see video here).

 

For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.



The government will be extending the period of time that approximately 200,000 residents from the south and the far north will remain evacuated from their homes. There are over 200 hotels currently hosting evacuated communities, where the displaced people will now remain until December 31, 2023. Areas around the Gaza Strip, and also near the Lebanese border, remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.

According to the Wall Street Journal, some 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists took part in training in Iran, one month before the October 7 attacks. See details here.

 

In the North, over the past 24 hours, the IDF struck five Hezbollah squads preparing to launch rockets into Israel. Overnight, Hezbollah launched a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The missile was intercepted over the Kinneret Sea, and the IDF bombed the location of the launcher.

 

Schools throughout much of Israel have been able to open as normal starting today, including those in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. However, in Ashkelon and the Western Negev, in-person learning has not yet been permitted. On the northern border, educational activities may resume in a restricted capacity, inside a sheltered safe room and subject to the guidelines of the IDF’s Northern Command.

 

More than 2,000 foreign journalists have now arrived in Israel to report on the war. A partial list of countries and the number of journalists they have sent includes:

U.S. – 358, Great Britain – 281, France – 221, Germany – 102, Türkiye – 71, the Scandinavian countries – 70, Italy – 63, Canada – 56, India – 55, Spain – 49, Australia – 36, Greece – 33, Russia – 24, China – 19, Belgium – 18, Romania – 16, Argentina – 16, Portugal – 14, Mexico – 10, Azerbaijan – 8, Slovakia – 7, Albania – 4, Uruguay – 4, Nepal – 4, New Zealand – 3, Georgia – 2, Ukraine – 2, Ghana – 1, Singapore – 1, Nigeria – 1, Armenia – 1 and Senegal – 1.

 
 

 

ISRAELI RESPONSE

Overnight, the IDF carried out a “targeted raid” in the northern part of the Gaza Strip with a large combined force of Givati Infantry Brigade forces and tanks. Troops struck numerous terrorists, infrastructure and anti-tank guided missile launch positions. The IDF says the raid is part of a process of preparing the border area for the “next stages of the war,” including carrying out some engineering works prior to a larger incursion.

 

A few hours after entering Gaza, troops left the area, with no reports of injuries. See video of the operation here, and of the IDF operational command post during the incursion, here.

 

There has been considerable speculation as to why a ground invasion has not begun yet. Presumably, the delay is a result of some of the following factors:

 

• Each passing day, the Israel Air Force destroys additional Hamas infrastructure, personnel and weapons through its strikes. This reduces Hamas’ capabilities to attack ground forces when they enter the Strip.

 

• Israeli troops continue to train and prepare, as well as gather intelligence, before a ground invasion begins.

 

• Hamas terrorists need to remain on alert for an invasion at any moment. Each additional day of waiting leads to fatigue and a letting down of their guards, giving Israel something of an element of surprise.

 

• While only four out of more than 200 hostages have been released, it is clear that some level of negotiation is continuing, and each day increases the chances that additional hostages may be released unharmed.

 

• It has been reported that Israel has agreed to a request from the United States to temporarily delay a ground incursion in order to give the U.S. military more time to deploy additional air defense systems to protect its troops in the region. See more here.

 

Despite these factors, it is also clear that with each passing day, IDF troops can become frustrated and even experience decreased levels of motivation (although current reports suggest that motivation remains very high), and as time passes from October 7, international support for Israel may begin to decrease. Read this editorial from the Times of Israel, “Why it’s time to go in.”

 

Nonetheless, last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is “preparing for a ground incursion. I won’t specify when, how, how many… this is the way, so that we protect our soldiers’ lives.” Netanyahu said the members of the narrow war cabinet and the IDF chief of staff had agreed “unanimously” on the timing of the ground incursion, possibly in response to reports of disagreement among the among the senior leaders, as well as of US pressure, to delay the move.

 

As a whole, Israeli leadership, the media and others, have repeatedly stated that the country’s only priority is to win the war and destroy Hamas, but that after the fighting is over, there will be significant questions about who was responsible for the intelligence, military and other failures that allowed October 7 to occur. Numerous Israeli leaders have already accepted levels of responsibility. Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that “everyone will have to give answers,” including himself, on the failures that led to the massacre, the closest he has come to taking responsibility for not anticipating or preparing for the surprise attack. Read the full remarks of the Prime Minister’s address to the nation last night, here. And see this opinion piece by Gil Troy, on how Netanyahu should respond.

 

Also, see this think-tank piece on what may come of Gaza, once the fighting ends.

 

Over the past few days, the IDF has notified residents in the northern Gaza Strip of the need to evacuate to the south for their safety. However, Hamas continues to use Palestinian civilians of Gaza as human shields and is not allowing them to evacuate to the south. Hamas has been using a variety of methods including roadblocks, and even shooting at residents trying to flee. Listen to this recording of a conversation between an IDF officer and a resident of Gaza, and see this translated transcript of the conversation.

 

Over the past day, IDF fighter jets struck over 250 Hamas terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including terror infrastructure, operational command centers, tunnel shafts, and rocket launchers placed in the heart of civilian areas that fired toward Israeli territory throughout the war. One of those killed was the Commander of Hamas' Northern Khan Yunis Rockets Array, Hassan Al-Abdulla. (See video here).

 

In addition, Israeli naval troops struck a Hamas surface-to-air missile launch post in the Khan Yunis area. The site is located adjacent to a mosque and kindergarten (see video here).

 

The Hamas-run health ministry claims that at least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed and 17,439 others wounded. These numbers have not been substantiated.

 
 

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

U.S. President Joe Biden’s held another phone meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to the White House, the two leaders discussed “ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release of hostages to include American citizens we believe are held by Hamas. They also reviewed ongoing discussions to ensure safe passage for foreign nationals wishing to depart Gaza as soon as possible,” according to a readout. “The President discussed ongoing US support for the continuous flow of humanitarian support to the civilian population in Gaza and welcomed efforts to increase this support over the coming period.”

 

The statement says Biden also stressed his support for Israel’s “right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law,” while calling on Israel to focus on ensuring “a pathway for a permanent peace” following the war.

 

The stream of western leaders arriving in Israel to express solidarity with the Jewish state continues. Yesterday Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited, as did Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

 

Saudi Arabia has agreed to continue talks on normalization with Israel, once the fighting ends. While the Kingdom has made many comments supporting the Palestinian population of Gaza, it has also called on Hamas to release the hostages it is holding. See more here.



Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to take an anti-Western stand, warning that Israel’s conflict with Hamas could spread well beyond the Middle East and said it was “wrong that innocent women, children and old people in Gaza were being punished for other people’s crimes.” See more here. For an analysis of Russia’s role in the war, see here.

 

 

EFFORTS ON THE GROUND

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. In this video, see details about an amazing operation to coordinate thousands of volunteers to help soldiers, evacuate citizens, and others.

 

Watch this teenager giving out free haircuts to soldiers and this moving video of a soldier couple whose families joined them and joined the celebrations.

 

In this video, you can see a talented Israeli child sing a stirring rendition of the prayer for Israel’ soldiers, and here see an El Al flight attendant raising spirits on his flight back to Israel.

 

light moment as this Israeli man jokingly “speaks” via megaphone to the US naval ships in the region, trying to explain a little about Israeli coastal/ beach culture.

 

 

OTHER RESOURCES

• For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

 

• See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

 

• Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

• As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

 

• Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch a compilation here​. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.

 

• Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated more than $70 million to organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center.

 

In addition to the extraordinary local allocations made in recent days, the Jewish Federations of North America allocations committee approved an additional $21.6 million in our Israel Emergency Campaign, bring our system's total allocation to $111 million. Click here for details.

 

The Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign allocations process combines a dynamic, holistic, and comprehensive needs assessment procedure with vetting and governance steps. Click here for an overview of the process.

 

These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: October 25, 2023

The Latest:

  • On day 19 of Israel’s War with Hamas, rockets continue to be fired at Israel, reaching as far south as Eilat and as far north as Haifa.
  • Stories of tragedy and pain, but also of heroism continue to emerge.
  • Full details on these developments, and more, below.

 

Key Resources from Jewish Federations

  • Join the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) for their daily, balanced, in-depth and inside analysis of the war in Israel. Daily at 11am ET. Click here. A rotating team of experienced analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system and the country’s diverse society, will guide you through the fog of war, the bombardment of news - real and fake - the barrage of tweets and posts and the confusion of chaos. Sponsored by Jewish Federations.
  • Join us tomorrow, Thursday, October 26, at 1pm ET as we highlight the impact of our Federation advocacy and allocations. Hear personal stories from our leaders on the ground, and a briefing on community advocacy and the impact of our collective allocations. To register for the webinar, please click here.
  • Join Jewish Federations tomorrow, Thursday, October 26, at 8pm ET, for "Unity in Harmony: Standing in Solidarity, Song, and Prayer for Israel” featuring music and words of hope, strength, and healing from David Broza, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Nefesh Mountain, Rick Recht and many more. Register here.
  • Last week, the Biden Administration sent Congress its supplemental funding request, which contains key priorities for the Jewish community, including emergency aid for Israel, domestic security funding, and continued aid to Ukraine. Click here to urge your members of Congress to support this critical aid package.
  • As Israeli Jews of Color grieve alongside their brothers and sisters following the deadly Hamas terror attacks on October 7th, American Jews of Color worry about their safety in the U.S. Jews of Color can click here to take action to urge their members of Congress to support the supplemental budget request, which provides emergency security assistance to Israel and American Jewish community institutions.
 
 

 

The Home Front

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas, and 220 remain in captivity:

 

  • Watch this interview with Galit Dan, whose mother and daughter are being held hostage by Hamas.
  • Read here about the Sharabi family, that has seen 3 family members murdered, one missing and one being held hostage.
  • Watch here the emotional appeal at the United Nations by American-Israeli Rachel Polin, whose son Hersh was severely injured on October 7, and is now being held captive by Hamas.
  • Here you can read about the emotional testimony of Sahar Ben-Sela, 30, from Herzliya, who describes how the festive Rave tragically transformed into a horrific massacre. “They mercilessly killed us from close range. They behaved like inhuman creatures, shooting and deriving pleasure from it, with smiles on their faces.” And watch this video from the October 7 Rave, filmed a short time before the attack began, and see some of the many who lost their lives, in happier times.
  • The IDF has released a recording of phone call made by a Hamas terrorist who took part in the October 7 attacks, bragging to his parents about slaughtering Jews. The man says he is calling from the phone of a Jewish woman he’s just murdered and can be heard excitedly telling his parents that he is in Mefalsim, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, and that he alone killed 10 Jews .“Look how many I killed with my own hands! Your son killed Jews!...Mom, your son is a hero.” In the call, his parents are heard praising him. Listen here.
  • This chilling instruction note found on the body of one of the terrorists from October 7 reads, in part, “Know that this enemy of yours is a disease that has no cure, other than beheading and extracting the hearts and livers!”
  • Another inspiring story that has now been told, is of a Filipino caregiver, Camille Jesalva, who was with Nitza, the 95-year old woman she cares for, when terrorists burst into their home in Kibbutz Nirim. She was unable to barricade their safe-room window, so when they were confronted by the terrorists, she took $350 of her own money that had been saved up for an upcoming trip and gave it to the terrorists, pleading that they leave the two of them alone. The bribe worked and the two women then remained clinging to each other in bed for two and a half hours, until the IDF rescued them. Camille subsequently cancelled the trip she had planned and saved up for, saying she now pledged to remain with Nitzan.
 
 

 

While the level of rocket fire from Gaza remains low compared to the early days of the war, a particularly large barrage was fired at the center of the country yesterday afternoon, injuring five people in Tel Aviv. Another rocket landed on a house in Alfei Menashe. Members of the family were taking shelter in their protected room, and remained unharmed, despite extensive damage to their home. Also, two longer-range rockets were launched in the last 24 hours: one towards Eilat and one towards Haifa.

 

Also yesterday, numerous terrorists from Gaza attempted to enter Israel via the sea. Navy special-forces engaged the infiltrators, killing them in a gun battle.

 

For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited. There are over 200 hotels hosting evacuated communities, where the displaced people will remain until at least November 14.

 

While most communities have been evacuated, in some kibbutzim a small number of members have been allowed to stay behind to look after the animals. Despite the security threats, dairy farmers from across the country have been traveling south to care for cows left behind. The cows can suffer severe pain if they are not milked.

 

Meanwhile, Google is temporarily disabling live traffic conditions on its mapping service apps, Google Maps and Waze, in Israel. “As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities,” a Google Maps spokesperson said.

Due to the war, and the fact that one-third of university students have been called to military reserve duty, Israeli universities announced that they will not be commencing the new academic year this week, but will delay opening until at least early December. 

 

In the North, Hezbollah continues to hit Israel, in ongoing attacks. In addition, yesterday rockets were fired from inside Syria, presumably from pro-Iranian sources. Israel directed air strikes and artillery fire at the source of the attacks, and Syria said that eight Syrian soldiers were killed as a result.

 

 

Israeli Response

The IDF carried out hundreds of strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight. One attack killed the commander of the North Khan Yunis Battalion, Taysir Mubasher. In the past, Mubasher served as the Commander of Hamas' naval forces and held several positions in weapons manufacturing. See video of overnight strikes here.

 

Hamas says that some 80 people were killed in those overnight Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

 

Speculation continues as to when a ground offensive may begin. One of the challenges is the vast network of tunnels that Hamas has created, reportedly second in length only to those that have been built in North Korea. Read more here about the challenges that the tunnel network poses to Israel.

 

According to the Jerusalem Press Club, there are currently 1500 foreign correspondents based in Israel, covering the war. The Israeli government, and many organizations are working hard to ensure accuracy in the stories being portrayed. Today, despite reports of acute fuel shortages in Gaza, the IDF distributed photos of massive fuel supplies being held in storage by Hamas for its own uses, while hospitals, civilians and others go without. See more here.

 
 

 

International Response

Israeli leaders and others expressed outrage over remarks made by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said that Hamas’ October 7 attacks “did not occur in a vacuum,” seemingly justifying the massacres. Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan called for Guterres to resign and announced the country will deny visas to UN officials. Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen cancelled a meeting scheduled for today with the UN chief.

 

Guterres tried to walk back his comments, tweeting “The grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the horrific attacks by Hamas. Those horrendous attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

 

In response to reports that the U.S. has asked Israel to delay a ground invasion of Gaza, reporters asked President Joe Biden whether he is pressuring Israel to delay the incursion. In answer, the President said, “The Israelis can make their own decisions.”

 

Delta Airlines said yesterday that it will cancel all flights to Israel through November 15 because of the ongoing conflict in the region. Since earlier this month, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta have all temporarily halted flights to Israel. Delta had said it planned to resume some flights on November 1. American has canceled flights through December 4. See details here of which airlines are still flying to Israel.

 

Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings announced that it was lowering Israel’s credit outlook from stable to negative, citing risks that the Israel-Hamas conflict could broaden, with a more pronounced impact on the economy.

 

 

Efforts On The Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

Stories continue to emerge suggesting the mainstreaming of Israeli haredi society in this conflict. See this story about thousands of ultra-Orthodox volunteers helping out.

 

Read this uplifting story about the 400 guests who joined a couple they didn’t know for a last-minute wedding.

 

Listen here as the Israel Opera sings a beautiful rendition of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Misérables as a tribute to the 220 innocent hostages being held by Hamas.

 

Also see this Muslim store owner in Lod who asked the local rabbi to put up a mezuzah for him as “I want every Jew that walks in to my store to feel protected”.

 

Israel’s top entertainers are all lending a hand by travelling the country and giving free performances to soldiers, evacuees, survivors, mourners, the injured and more. See here for details.

 

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (Jdc)

Recent JDC activity includes:



  • 500 child survivors of October 7 have received JDC’s "Hibuki" therapeutic dolls. This unique trauma intervention, which will ultimately reach 7,000 young evacuees over the coming months, is designed to help children cope with traumas they experienced and relive daily.
  • Hassidim from the Karlin Hassidic community volunteered to distribute hot meals to soldiers on Israel's northern front. JDC has recruited more than 1,000 volunteers to support emergency needs and national efforts.
  • 160 professionals who manage homecare services and day-centers for the elderly, welfare departments, and nursing institutions, participated in a webinar at JDC's National School for Optimal Aging. The session aimed to empower participants with strategies for trauma intervention, management skills in times of emergency, and tools for supporting nursing caregivers living with their own traumas.
 

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated more than $70 million to organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center. These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Additional Federation Resources

 

  • Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: October 24, 2023

THE LATEST:

• On day 17 of Israel’s War with Hamas, two more hostages have been released, leaving 220 more in Hamas captivity.

• French President Emmanuel Macron is in Israel in an additional show of the solidarity of western nations.

• Israeli media is reporting that behind closed doors, the U.S. is suggesting that Israel should not launch a ground invasion of Gaza now. 

• Full details on these developments, and more, below.

 

KEY RESOURCES FROM JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

• Jewish Federations have produced a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here.

• For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

• See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

• Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.

• Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

• As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

• Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch a video about this here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.

• Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 
 

 

 

THE HOME FRONT

 

Two more Israeli hostages, both elderly women, were released by Hamas yesterday, although the women’s family members remain under captivity in Gaza. According to authorities, the two, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, are in good health. Lifshitz' husband Oded (83) and Cooper's husband Amiram are still in captivity. Oded is a retired journalist and human rights activist involved in bringing Gazans to health facilities in Israel. Israel thanked Egypt and others for facilitating the release. (See more on the hostage release here).

 

The Israeli Ministry of Health says that 278 people injured in the October 7 attacks and ensuing war remain in hospitals across the country. Of these, 40 are in serious condition, 164 are in moderate condition, and 74 are in good condition.

 

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

• Watch this video account of the security officer from Kibbutz Nirim who repelled dozens of terrorists on October 7.

• Read this story of the wheelchair bound young woman Ruth Peretz who was killed by Hamas, along with her father.

• Israeli media is reporting that it is emerging from interviews with terrorists captured on October 7, that Hamas operatives were offered $10,000 for every hostage they captured. See more here

• During the fighting on Friday, IDF soldier Omer Balva was killed by a rocket fired by Hezbollah. Omer, an American-Israeli, was born in Maryland where he lived until he began his military service in Israel after graduating high school. Omer was in Maryland on October 7, but returned to Israel when his reserve unit was called up a few days later. See more here.

 

Yet again, there was no rocket fire from Gaza overnight, and overall sirens have remained low. However this afternoon, a very large barrage was fired at Tel Aviv and other towns in Israel’s center. Despite the overall slow-down, the IDF Spokesperson warned the Israeli public that “Complacency must not be shown in the home front. This is an attempt by the enemy to put us to sleep,” as he warned that Hamas still has significant rocket-launching capabilities.

 

For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.



In the North, Hezbollah continues to hit Israel, in ongoing attacks. Anti-tank missiles, mortars and rockets are frequently launched from Lebanon towards communities in Israel’s north. In response, the IDF strikes Hezbollah targets using aircraft, tank fire and artillery.

 
 

 

 

ISRAELI RESPONSE

The IDF carried out strikes against more than 400 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, killing several field commanders and other terror operatives. The strikes focused on Hamas staging grounds across the Gaza Strip — including several in mosques — and against terror operatives preparing rocket fire on Israel. The IDF also struck the entrance of a Hamas tunnel on the Gaza coast, and command centers, overnight. Recent strikes have left several more Hamas terrorists leaders dead, including the deputy commanders of the Nuseirat, Shati, and Furqan battalions.

 

Read here about a squad of female IDF combat troops who eliminated nearly 100 Hamas terrorists.

 

Overnight, the IDF used multiple channels to distribute the following message to citizens of Gaza: “If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area. The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security for you and your home, and you will receive a financial reward. We guarantee you complete confidentiality. The Israel Defense Forces. The contact details are: Secure phone call: *8619. Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal: +972503957992.”



Watch here, video of an address the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi to the media.

 
 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

 

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Israel on a solidarity visit today, following numerous other western leaders. Macron met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others. In his comments, Macron said, “The first objective should be the release of all hostages without any distinction.” He later added a message for Israel saying, “I want to make sure you are not left alone in this war on terrorism, because I speak on behalf of a country which experienced terrorist attacks, and you were there. And I think this is our duty to fight against this terrorism, without any confusion, without enlarging the conflict…. What happened will never be forgotten -- and we will be here today, tomorrow and the day after for peace and stability. Because these people were killed just because they were Jewish and they wanted to live in peace.”

 

Meanwhile the Biden administration is reportedly concerned that Israel lacks achievable military goals for its operations in Gaza, leading US officials to believe that the IDF is not yet ready for a ground incursion. See more here. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said a ground invasion could be costly and take considerable time saying, “Urban combat is extremely difficult. It goes at a slow pace. This may be a bit more difficult because of the underground network of tunnels that Hamas has constructed over time and the fact that they have had a long time to prepare for a fight.”



According to US media, the US sent Lt. Gen. James Glynn, a three-star Marine, and other officers to Israel to help build the battle plans for the expected ground offensive. Glynn, who has helped lead special operations forces against ISIS and served in Fallujah, Iraq currently serves as the deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs of the Marine Corps. Earlier in the day, President Biden hinted that he could support a Gaza ceasefire if Hamas released all the hostages it is currently holding.

 

 

 

EFFORTS ON THE GROUND

 

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

Read this story about Israelis trying to reunite pets caught up in the attacks of October 7, with their families, or to find adopters.

Two sisters have transformed their Tel Aviv cooking studio into a supportive volunteer community for olim in response to the ongoing crisis. See more here.

 

Watch this video some Israeli troops made for their worried mothers back home. Meanwhile, Omer Meidan, a soldier from Modiin was wounded in the fighting. See these photos and video of his community in Modiin welcoming him as her returned home.

 

AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE (JDC)

 

JDC will host an Israel Emergency Briefing, featuring updates from the ground in Israel and JDC's efforts to support those affected by the crisis on Wednesday October 25, at 12:00 NOON (ET). Register here.

 

 

 

JEWISH FEDERATIONS

 

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated more than $70 million to organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center. These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

 

Our Jewish Federations have responded to the horrific attacks against Israel with an unbelievable outpouring of support. Join us this Thursday, October 26, at 1pm ET as we highlight the impact of our Federation advocacy and allocations. Hear personal stories from our leaders on the ground, and a briefing on community advocacy and the impact of our collective allocations. To register for the webinar, please click here.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

For more information, please contact: JFNA’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

Update: October 23, 2023

 

 

Key Points



  • On day 16 of Israel’s War with Hamas, attacks from the north are ongoing, while Israel’s retaliation continues.
  • Over Shabbat, Hamas released two hostages “on humanitarian grounds.” The two were American (Chicagoan) mother and daughter Natalie and Judith Raanan. Ten members of their family remain captive.
  • Western countries, led by the United States, continue to strongly back Israel, and its right to self-defense.
  • Jewish Federations have allocated more than $70 million of the $388 million already raised.
  • Full details on these developments, and much more, below.
  • Register here for a webinar on October 24 at 11am ET - Israel at War: The Jewish Agency’s Response
  • JDC will host an Israel Emergency Briefing, featuring updates from the ground in Israel and JDC's efforts to support those affected by the crisis on Wednesday October 25, at 12:00pm ET. Register here.
 
 

 

 

Key Resources from Jewish Federations



  • Jewish Federations have a produced a new a document answering questions about funding impacted localities and municipalities in Israel. See here
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
 
 

 

 

The Home Front

On Shabbat, Hamas released two hostages “on humanitarian grounds.” The two were a mother and daughter, Natalie and Judith Raanan, who hold dual Israeli-American citizenship. Ten members of their family remain captive. Following the release of the two hostages, the IDF spokesperson released this video statement.

 

The IDF has updated its numbers and now says that 2 2 2 people were kidnapped into Gaza (including 30 babies and small children), and 306 soldiers have been confirmed killed.

 

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

 

  • Tragically, the massacres have left 21 children as orphans, with both parents killed by the Hamas terrorists.
  • Read here, this difficult, but moving piece by the Jerusalem Post’s editor in chief, on his visit to Kibbutz Be’eri, site of one of the worst of the October 7 massacres.
  • During recovery operations since October 7, IDF units have been searching for weapons carried by the Hamas invaders. Over 1,000 guns and rifles of various types, approximately 2,000 grenades, 1,000 RPG rockets and 1,200 explosive devices have been collected. A number of the weapons collected in the field were detonated in a controlled manner (see video here).
  • Also found after the massacre, among the hundreds of personal belongings scattered around the devastated communities and the site of the music festival, was a child’s pink backpack. IDF soldiers who located it took precautions and examined the innocent-looking bag using remote technology and found it contained an explosive device, probably meant to detonate days after the massacre, when the bag would be found. See video here.
  • One of the Hamas terrorists killed inside Israel after the massacre of October 7 was carrying a USB stick containing a detailed instruction booklet on how to build an improvised chemical weapon (using cyanide). The booklet was created by Al-Qaeda.
  • With 222 hostages still being held by Hamas, around 300 volunteers from multiple Israeli high-tech companies are working together in a “war room” in Tel Aviv, trawling through vast amounts of footage posted on social media in order to identify the Israelis who were abducted and to provide other information. See more here.
  • After an Arab bike shop owner in Israel donated children’s bikes to evacuees from communities in the south, his store was torched. See here.
  • Many communities are dealing with issues surrounding burial. There are families who have buried loved ones in temporary plots, expecting a permanent burial in their respective community cemeteries in the south at a later date.
  • Read (and view) here a touching interview with the parents of Roey Weiser, a sergeant in the Golani division of the IDF, who was killed in action on October 7.
  • At least 19 of the victims came from the Beduin community. See more on this here.
  • See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.
 
 

 

 

As we continue to report, every day new stories emerge of heroism from October 7. Read this moving account about “Grandpa Joe,” (summary of Facebook post, as translated by JUF Chicago Jewish Federation representative in Israel Ofer Bavly):

 

Shlomo Ron was not armed. Shlomo Ron was not in the special-forces or anything close. He was an older man. Rather sickly. A soft man. Shlomo loved the theater, music and books. He loved Hannah, his wife of many years. He loved his daughters. And he loved his little grandson deeply. He also loved the poetry of Rachel and the works of Naomi Shemer. He loved art. 

 

Shlomo and Hannah lived in Nahal Oz. They never left their community, even during the scariest of times. That’s where they lived, that’s where they chose to live. That’s where they were on the morning of October 7, 2023. Their daughters were visiting their home. Their grandson was in their home. It was Simchat Torah. Almost the end of the Sukkot vacation. They must have had a great time together. 

Mass murderers raided their kibbutz.

 

Shlomo was an elderly man with a mustache and glasses. He had a gentle soul. He came out of the safe room where his beloved Hannah and their daughters were hiding together with one of the daughters’ son, his little beloved grandson. He sat in the living room of his house. He sat there all by himself. He waited for the murderers. And they arrived. 

 

When they saw him alone in the living room of his house, the murderers shot him dead. They saw an elderly, sick man sitting in his armchair by himself. And they executed him. An elderly man. A solitary man, they thought to themselves. No reason to hang around any longer. That’s why the murderers left his home and continued on their way. 

 

That had been Shlomo’s plan: To wait for the criminals against humanity alone in his living room. So that they would think he was a lonely, elderly man. Solitary. Living alone. He knew they would murder him. He hoped that after they murder him, they would go on their way. They would think that he lived alone in the house. 

 

Shlomo Ron thus saved the life of his beloved Hannah. He saved the lives of his beloved daughters. He saved the life of his beloved little grandson. They were all saved, sitting quietly in their safe room. They were all saved thanks to Shlomo. 



Shlomo Ron was buried in the moshava of Kinneret, near the poet Rachel. Near Naomi Shemer.

Shlomo Ron was a soft man with no physical powers. With no weapon. With no counter-terrorism training. Just an elderly, sick man. Just a soft and gentle Israeli soul with a mustache and glasses. Just an Israeli with a good-natured look in his eyes who loves his wife and daughters and his little grandson. But Shlomo was a national hero. 

 
 

 

 

In other developments, yesterday, a terrorist from the October 7 massacre was captured after hiding inside Israel for two weeks.

 

Once again, there was no rocket fire from Gaza overnight, and overall sirens have decreased significantly. Despite this, among other barrages, there have been regular rocket attacks on Tel Aviv and other major cities. Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has identified about 550 failed rocket launches that fell inside the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, Hamas uses the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields, and launches rockets from civilian infrastructure, areas and buildings in Gaza. See here for footage of failed rocket launches that landed inside the Strip and here for an infographic on the subject.

 

For information on the latest overall numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.

 

In the North, Hezbollah continues to hit Israel, in ongoing attacks. Anti-tank missiles and mortar and rockets were launched from Lebanon towards a number of communities including Tziporen, Yiftah, Turmus and Shushan. In response, the IDF struck Hezbollah targets using aircraft, tank fire and artillery.

 

The military has now ordered the evacuation of a further 14 communities in the region. The government will pay for alternative accommodation in hotels for the evacuees.

 

Israeli Response

The IDF says it destroyed 320 Hamas sites in the last 24 hours, including tunnels containing Hamas terrorists, dozens of operational command centers, some of which concealed Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, military compounds, and observation posts. See video of some of the strikes here.

 

A new IDF mortar system called the “Iron Sting” (developed by Israeli Military Industries and Elbit Systems) was used operationally for the first time a few days ago. The new mortar is said to be the most accurate in the world with a dual guidance system using both laser and GPS. The mortar was used to hit a Hamas rocket launcher with perfect accuracy, immediately after it was used to attack Israel.

 

The War Cabinet convened on Friday at the headquarters of the IDF Southern Command (Beer Sheba) to discuss plans for the upcoming ground campaign in Gaza. Although it is agreed that the ground campaign is imminent, there is no firm information as to when it will begin. It is estimated that 700,000 Gazans have already left the northern Gaza Strip, while some 350,000 remain in the area. See here for video and here for photos of troops in the south training and preparing to enter Gaza. Read here analysis of what may be delaying Israel’s ground invasion, and see this article about international legal implications.

 
 

 

 

Following agreements reached between Egypt, Israel and the U.S., 20 Egyptian trucks entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing over the weekend, carrying food, water and medical supplies to southern Gaza. Israel reiterated its warning that none of the humanitarian aid could be taken by Hamas and that no trucks should go to northern Gaza areas. A further 17 aid trucks crossed the border today.

 

Large numbers of Arab-Israelis who served in the past in a variety of roles in the IDF have been recruited to the reserves to assist efforts to inform the world of what is really happening. See more here.

 

The death toll in Gaza since Israel declared war has risen to 3,785, including 1,524 children, 1,000 women and 120 older people according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.

 

International Response

Following the visits of many of the western world’s leaders, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Israel over the weekend. In her remarks she said, “We defend the right of Israel existing, of defending itself, security for its people. And we absolutely understand that terrorism has to be fought. We believe and we think that you are able to do that in the best way, for we are different from those terrorists.” See footage here.

 

Prime Minister Netanyahu also held a series of conversations with other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

 

Leaders of the major western nations issued a joint statement today, where they “reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism, and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.” The statement was signed by U.S. President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following a joint phone call they held earlier today.

 

Over the weekend, the 45th cargo plane of military equipment from the U.S. arrived in Israel. Around 1,000 tons of armaments aimed at bolstering the IDF’s capabilities has already been sent.

 

The U.S. has also brought forward by one month the commencement of Israel’s joining the Visa Waiver Program. Effective immediately, Israelis will no longer need to obtain a visa to enter the United States, but instead can apply online for a visa waiver. See more here.

 

Aviation war insurers have given notice to cancel cover for airlines based in Israel (as well as Lebanon) because of the conflict, with some cancellations already taking effect. The Knesset’s Finance Committee last week approved a plan to provide a state guarantee of $6 billion to cover insurance against war risks to Israeli airlines. See more here.



See also this article about the role of the international press in the current war.

 
 

 

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

 

In a massive operation, an astonishing 15,000 Israeli volunteers have been working to provide food, clothing and other needs to the evacuated residents of the south. Read more here.

 

In the coming week, an unprecedented 2,000 ultra-Orthodox youth are set to be inducted into the IDF, amid a surge of support in the haredi community for IDF service (see here). At least 150 volunteers already joined today (see here). Also, see this article by JPPI’s Shuki Freidman on how the war may be a step towards healing the religious-secular divide in Israel. And see this video clip of a large group of chassidim who came to try to cheer up evacuated, secular residents of the south.

 

On Friday evening, family members of some of the hostages being held by Hamas staged a large Shabbat dinner gathering across the street from IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. They set a long table on which they placed kiddush wine, challot, and 203 plates – one for each of the hostages. On each chair appeared the name of a hostage with their photograph. See more here. Similar “Shabbat table for the hostages” events were held in Jewish communities around the world.

 

One of the emerging needs for soldiers staged on the front, is a means for them to recharge their phones in order to be in contact with their families. Numerous citizens have voluntarily provided solutions, such as this generator-powered trailer that allows dozens of soldiers to fast-charge their phones simultaneously.

 

An electrically-powered sleeve that’s designed to enhance performance and accelerate recovery among athletes is now being repurposed for Israeli soldiers readying to battle Hamas. See more here.

 

And also see this article that discusses the role of the Police in the war, compared to the IDF.

 

The Israel Innovation Authority is launching a fast-track grant channel, with an initial allocation of $25 million, targeting around 100 Israeli start-ups facing funding constraints due to the fighting. See more here.



Watch this touching video of Israeli children appealing to the world to “stand by me,” at this difficult time.

 

 

Despite the war, North American Jews continue to make Aliyah during these dark days. Watch a video here of new arrivals from Nefesh B’Nefesh.

 

The Israel Antiquities Authority will be hosting an online lecture series in English, focusing on the country's past crises, and its revival, as seen through the eyes of the archaeologists that have unearthed the country's history. The lectures will be presented by experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority, who will present archaeological data alongside textual evidence, providing insights on the revival in the history of the people of Israel, who knew moments of drama and hardship, yet found the way to overcome. The lectures are open and free of charge. Details here.

 

Register here for a webinar: Israel at War: The Jewish Agency’s Response - October 24, at 11am EST with: 

 

  • Yossi Klein Halevi, renowned American-Israeli author and journalist.
  • Amira Ahronoviz, Director General and CEO of The Jewish Agency for Israel

 

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

Recent JDC activities include:

 

  • More than 850 vouchers for food and essential needs have been distributed to vulnerable individuals and families since October 7. This is part of a wider initiative to distribute 3,000 food vouchers to participants of JDC programs which provide mentoring and guidance for young families and adults living in extreme poverty.
  • At the request of the Ministry of Education, JDC is assisting in the establishment of temporary schools and kindergartens at Dead Sea hotels for the 2,000 children evacuated from the war region.
  • In 75 locations across Israel, youth movement counselors trained by JDC in trauma counseling are now engaging and supporting children (aged 5-15) that were evacuated from the Gaza border area. The training includes mentorship and tools to process the trauma experienced. See here for a short video of the initiative.
  • Some 16 JDC Up60+ Guidance Centers for Israeli elderly retirees have shifted from their physical centers to operating online. As a result more than 16,000 elderly retirees continue to receive skills and knowledge to minimize their health, social and economic risks during these challenging times. Center professionals have conducted hundreds of routine phone calls and group meetings with participants to check in on their physical and emotional needs and offer support and guidance. Through the national Up60+ network, in the past two weeks, 1,600 retired seniors agreed to volunteer at least 20 hours a month, visiting homebound seniors or families of fallen soldiers, as well as assisting seniors or needy families who require help with their day-to-day tasks.
  • JDC launched 'Nafshi', an online information system that provides information about available mental health services and recommendations for interventions based on individual needs.
 

 

 

JDC will host an Israel Emergency Briefing, featuring updates from the ground in Israel and JDC's efforts to support those affected by the crisis on Wednesday October 25, at 12:00 NOON (ET). Register here.

 

Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

Federations partner ITC opened a National Resilience Center to provide clinical support to people in areas not covered by the 12 existing regional Resilience Centers. Six other areas in the North and South have already been identified as the next areas in need. Resilience center teams also provide intervention and trauma care in hotels housing those who have been evacuated.

 

ITC is also engaged in on-going work to significantly expand the scope and capabilities of trauma response teams to deal with the massive increase in the number of referrals they receive.

 

Meanwhile, ITC also conducted short training sessions on the challenges of working in “shared realities” (doctor-patient, Arab-Jew) and psychosocial information for 70 Bedouin doctors and nurses from the Soroka and Barzilai hospitals, both located in the south.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated more than $70 million to organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center.

 

These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

Update: October 20, 2023

Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

Members from our community are welcome to pick up a Blue Ribbon from the Federation offices in Largo during regular business hours (13191 Starkey Road, Suite 8, Largo, FL 33773).

 

Key Points:

  • On day 14 of Israel’s War with Hamas, tensions continue to build in the north, and Israel has begun to evacuate the city of Kiryat Shemona, which has a population of some 22,000. Residents will be taken to hotels and other venues.
  • Over thirty rockets were launched today from Lebanon to Israel. Most were intercepted, others fell in open fields. One rocket fell in Kiryat Shmona causing some injuries.
  • Israel still hopes to avoid further escalation in the north, but did strike several more Hezbollah sites overnight in response to yesterday’s rocket and missile fire on northern Israel.
  • Separately, the IDF carried out a drone strike killing a terror operative in the area.
  • The US has warned Hezbollah to stay out of the war with Hamas, and the U.S. and Germany yesterday called on their citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.

 

Latest Developments

 

  • Once again, following another night without sirens, sporadic rocket attacks resumed this morning. Also again, there was a significant barrage fired at Tel Aviv yesterday evening.
  • Overnight, Israel struck more than 100 targets in Gaza including one that killed a member of Hamas’s naval forces , Amjad Majed Muhammad Abu ‘Odeh, who was involved in the murder of Israeli civilians on October 7.
  • The military also hit an underground tunnel, a weapons warehouse and dozens of command centers.
  • Intelligence sources suggest that Israel is working on a rescue plan for the more than 200 hostages being held by Hamas. See details here.

 

  • U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to request $14 billion in emergency aid to Israel from Congress today.
  • Another shipment of military supplies has arrived in Israel from the U.S., in the form of armored vehicles. See video footage of the arrival here.
  • A US Navy warship traveling near Yemen intercepted multiple projectiles yesterday. The missiles, according to Israeli media citing the Pentagon, were launched at Israel.
  • Also, in an affirmation of Israel’s stated goals, US State Department Matthew Miller said that the Jewish state’s position that Hamas must be ousted from Gaza is “appropriate.”
  • Thousands of pro-Israel demonstrators held a rally in New York’s Times Square, calling for the release of the Hamas-held hostages. A number of speakers addressed the event remotely, including US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Mayor Eric Adams.

 

  • The BBC has published an apology for broadcasting that Israel had struck a hospital in Gaza earlier in the week.
  • Israel has produced overwhelming evidence that the rocket was fired by the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.
  • Meanwhile, it is emerging that the number of deaths at the hospital was grossly misrepresented according to reports from a number of US intelligence sources as well as European news sources. Hamas said that 471 people were killed at the hospital; but foreign independent intelligence sources claimed instead that the number was under 50.

 

  • According to Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the government is currently preparing an economic aid package for those impacted by the war, that will be “bigger and broader” than during the COVID crisis.
  • Yesterday, international credit ratings agency Moody's placed Israel's A1 ratings on review for a possible downgrade, due to the war with Hamas. The agency warned that a prolonged conflict with Hamas could drag down Israel’s credit score.

 

  • Saudi Arabian Prince Turki Al-Faisal issued a surprising statement condemning Hamas for the attack on Israel, saying this attack contravened the rules of Islam. He said Islam does not allow the killing of women, children and the elderly. At the same time, he also said that all occupied people have the right to fight against occupation. 

 

  • Read this account of a Beduin bus driver who saved 30 youth from the Rave on October 7; and this story of a Givati soldier who fought during the crucial battles that day.

 

  • See this moving, and specially recorded message by the IDF Spokesperson to global Jewish communities. And also read this article in TIME Magazine “Sleep training my baby during war,” written by the daughter of Yadin Kaufmann, an Israeli business and civic leader who is a frequent partner in Federation work.

 

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • Jewish Federations collectively have allocated $55 million for immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs. Read more

 

  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

 

  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

 

  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.

 

  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.

 

  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.

 

 

  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.
  • Members from our community are welcome to pick up a Blue Ribbon from the Federation offices in Largo during regular business hours (13191 Starkey Road, Suite 8, Largo, FL 33773)

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: October 19, 2023

 

Key Points:

  • On day 13 of Israel’s War with Hamas, US President Joe Biden has concluded his visit and his strong show of solidarity. This morning, the UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak landed in Israel on his own mission of support.
  • As a result of an agreement brokered between Israel, Egypt and the United States, a “sustainable” passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza will likely open tomorrow.
  • Full details of these, and other developments below.

 

Key Resources From Jewish Federations

 

  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
  • As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this thorough page of guidance.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.
  • Jewish Federations of North America placed a full-page ad in the Jerusalem Post to welcome President Joe Biden to Israel on his mission of solidarity, thanking him profoundly for “his deep and sincere support of Israel during this dark hour.”
  • Jewish Federations have launched The Blue Ribbon Campaign, which symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas. Wearing a ribbon publicly unites people of all religions, races, nationalities, ethnicities, ages, and generations and demonstrates for the people of Israel that they are not alone and that good people across the globe are with them and their families during this dark time.

 

The Home Front

According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, 309 people injured in the October 7 attacks are still hospitalized. Of these, 80 are in serious condition, 159 are in moderate condition, and 70 are in good condition. A total of 4,629 injured individuals have been treated at hospitals around the country from the terror strikes.

 

The IDF has also updated its figures and now says that 203 people were kidnapped into Gaza, and 306 soldiers have been confirmed killed.

 

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

 

  • Yesterday, a bittersweet wedding took place for Yonatan Perez, the son of the head of the World Mizrachi Movement, Rabbi Doron Perez. Yonatan’s brother Daniel, a tank commander, has been missing since taking part in the battles of October 7. The groom, Yonatan, was also involved in the fighting. Heeding the call of his commander, he hurried to the south where he is being hailed as a hero for taking part in the rescue of some 20 women soldiers. During the four-hour battle when he was shot in the leg, Yonatan also killed numerous terrorists. See more here.
  • Read here and watch an interview with the parents of a 19-year old woman missing since the fighting began, when she served as a soldier on a base in the south.
  • JK Rowling, the famed author of the Harry Potter series, has posted on social media, paying respects to a 12-year-old girl on the autism spectrum (and Harry Potter fan) who was murdered alongside her grandmother, by Hamas terrorists on October 7. See here.
  • In a heartbreaking report, the Israeli milk bank has been active in providing breast milk to babies who were orphaned by the massacre, whose mothers were kidnapped or injured as well as mothers deployed by the IDF.
  • See here the difficult story of nine relatives living in Kibbutz Be'eri who were all kidnapped by Hamas during the attacks.
  • In this story from TIME Magazine, read about how the family and friends of Vivian Silver (currently being held hostage by Hamas), hold on to the memory of her work for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
  • See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.

 

Once again, there was no rocket fire from Gaza overnight, and overall sirens have decreased significantly. Despite this, among other barrages, there have been rocket attacks on Tel Aviv every evening for four straight days. Yesterday, Hamas held its fire for the duration of the Biden trip. As soon as the Presidential visit was over, Hamas launched a barrage of rockets at Israel’s center including Tel Aviv and the coastal region. 

 

As mentioned yesterday, there are still some terrorists believed to be hiding out or moving around Israel, probably in the south. One terrorist was apprehended today trying to make his way back into the Gaza Strip.

 

For infographics with the latest numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

There has been a gradual return to in-person schooling, with additional schools resuming in safer areas in Israel today. Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.

 

In the North, Hezbollah continues to hit Israel, in sporadic attacks. The IDF struck Hezbollah military targets in response, including an observation post near the coast where anti-tank missiles were launched toward Rosh Hanikra on Wednesday (see footage here). Hezbollah said that it conducted seven attacks directed at Israeli territory yesterday, including anti-tank missile attacks and shooting at soldiers and surveillance equipment. It also confirmed that three of its members were killed in those incidents.

 

Israeli Response

The IDF says it destroyed hundreds of Hamas sites in the last 24 hours, including anti-tank missile launch sites, tunnel shafts, intelligence infrastructure, terror leaders, and various command centers. See video images of the strikes here.

 

Among those terrorists killed was Jamila al-Shanti, the widow of Hamas co-founder Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi and the first woman elected to the terror group’s political bureau. (Rantisi was killed in 2004 by an Israeli airstrike during the Second Intifada). In 2021, Al-Shanti became the first woman elected to the Hamas political bureau, its highest decision-making body.

 

In separate strikes, the IDF also killed the head of the military wing of Gaza’s Popular Resistance Committees terror group, Rafat Abu Hilal, as well as more than ten members of Hamas’s “Nukhba Commando Forces,” who led the October 7 massacres.

 

See here for a video message, in English, by the IDF Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi.

 

Egypt announced the creation of a “sustainable” passage of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, as hundreds of aid trucks wait at the border. This is apparently as a result of an agreement brokered between Israel, Egypt and the United States. US President Biden praised the Egyptian and Israeli governments for “stepping up” and reaching a deal. Aid is likely to begin to flow tomorrow.

 

Despite Israel producing concrete proof (see here) that it was an Islamic Jihad misfired rocket that hit close to a Palestinian hospital on Tuesday night, many around the world continue to question this narrative, pointing a finger of blame at an Israeli air strike. See more here. See also this video message on this issue from the IDF Spokesperson.

 

IDF tanks assembling at the border with Gaza ahead of a potential ground invasion have been equipped with anti-drone “cages,” similar to those used in the Russia-Ukraine War, according to a report in The Washington Post. The Post published images showing Israeli vehicles with modified coverings whose purpose is to protect soldiers inside from any explosives dropped from drones, presumably a lesson learned by Israel from observing developments during the war in Ukraine.

 

The beginnings of discussions are starting to take place about long-term scenarios for the Gaza Strip. One of the options being contemplated is for Israel to dismantle Hamas and its infrastructure and then to establish a temporary civilian-international governing structure for Gaza for 5-10 years before the area can be turned over to local leadership or the Palestinian Authority. See more on this issue here.

 

The death toll in Gaza since Israel declared war has risen to 3,785, including 1,524 children, 1,000 women and 120 older people according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.

 

International Response

UK Prime Minster Rishi Sunak arrived in Israel today on a solidarity mission. He told Prime Minister Netanyahu that “we absolutely support Israel to defend itself in line with international law, to go after Hamas, to take back hostages, to deter further incursions, and to strengthen your security for the long term.”

 

Sunak added, “I know you are taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians, in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas, which seek to put civilians in harm’s way. We also recognize that the Palestinian people are victims of Hamas too I am proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend. We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people, and we also want you to win.”

 

Following US President Biden’s visit to Israel yesterday, and his strong show of solidarity and support for the Jewish state, the White House announced today that the President will make a special address from the Oval Office to discuss Israel and Ukraine. This unusual move follows Biden’s groundbreaking trip - the first ever visit of a sitting US President to Israel during wartime. During his trip, the President pledged to give Israel “whatever it needed” in its battle against Hamas and warned the country’s enemies against regionalizing the war.

 

In addition to the two US carrier groups, Ford and Eisenhower off Israel’s shores, the US Navy has announced that it is sending the USS Mount Whitney, a command ship which is also the flagship of the US Sixth Fleet. The UK has also sent a carrier group.

 

Evidence has come to light that the Hamas terrorists used some North Korean weapons during their October 7 invasion. North Korea has repeatedly denied that it sells weapons to Hamas. See more here.

 

A CNN poll, conducted October 12-13, found that over two-thirds of American respondents believe the Israeli military response in Gaza was either “fully justified” (50%) or “partially justified” (20%). Even among Democrats, the support for Israeli military countermeasures was nearly as high: Thirty-eight percent said they would be “fully justified,” while 30% said they would be partially justified. Nearly three out of four respondents (71%) feel “a lot of sympathy” with Israelis, while 41% say the same about the Palestinians. 

 

Meanwhile, some 76% of respondents in a new Quinnipiac poll think supporting Israel is in the national interest of the United States — including 84% of Republicans, 76% of Democrats and 74% of independents. Only 20% of Americans said that America was “too supportive” of Israel — with the greatest degree of opposition (30%) centered among the youngest voters aged 18-34.

 

JTA has produced the following updates about how the war is affecting Jewish communities outside of North America:

 

 

Efforts On The Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales. See this video of a reserve soldier and his message of “just do good.”

 

See this photo of a Druze woman who closed her Dalyat-el-Carmel restaurant (called “Nora’s Kitchen”) to volunteer to cook and serve food to reserve soldiers called up to serve on the front.

 

This wedding was scheduled for today but was postponed after the groom was drafted. His friends decided to surprise him and made arrangements for the bride to come to their camp near Gaza.

 

And watch this moving tribute to Israel by surfers in San Diego.

 

The World Zionist Organization (WZO) has launched a campaign whereby non-Israelis who own homes in Israel can allow those properties to be used by victims who have lost their residences, as well as families evacuated from the south. The WZO will take responsibility to ensure that the properties are returned to their owners in the condition in which they were given. See details here.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated over $50 million to 20 organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center. These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs.

 

The announcement follows a gathering of major philanthropists and community leaders in Washington, DC, who also participated in the "Unity in Crisis" event Federations co-hosted alongside the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, AIPAC, AJC, the ADL, among others. See more here.

 

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Update: October 18, 2023

Key Points

  • On day 12 of Israel’s War with Hamas, US President Joe Biden has landed in Israel in a highly significant show of solidarity and support. This is the first ever visit of a sitting US President to the Jewish state during wartime.
  • Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two-thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. For details, see here.
  • Despite Hamas claims of 500 Palestinians killed by an Israeli airstrike on a Gazan hospital, the IDF has presented conclusive evidence that the damage was from a Palestinian Islamic Jihad misfired rocket, and that the hospital itself was not hit. The governments of the US and the UK, among others, have agreed with Israel’s claims.
  • Israel has established a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza where international aid will be provided for fleeing Palestinians.

 

Key Resources

  • Jewish Federations of North America placed a full-page ad in the Jerusalem Post to welcome President Joe Biden to Israel on his mission of solidarity, thanking him profoundly for “his deep and sincere support of Israel during this dark hour.”
  • For those in Israel looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations. See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.
  • Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.
  • Over 120 communities have held solidarity gatherings. Watch it here. For a guidebook on hosting a gathering in your community, click here.

 

Gaza Hospital Strike

Last night, international media were reporting that an Israeli airstrike had hit the Al-Ahli Hospital, killing some 500 people. The IDF reiterated that it never targets civilians, and announced it was looking into the allegations but was puzzled because there had been no airstrikes in the area at the time.

Within a few hours, and after careful IDF examination of the issue, a clearer picture emerged, including conclusive proof that the damage was caused by a misfired Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket. Among the evidence presented by the IDF was the following:

 

  • The IDF did not carry out any strikes in the area at the time.
  • US President Joe Biden told Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “I am deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears it was done by the other team, and not you.”
  • British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly criticized those in the media who blamed Israel for the Gaza hospital blast, tweeting that “too many jumped to conclusions around the tragic loss of life at Al Ahli hospital. Getting this wrong would put even more lives at risk. Wait for the facts, report them clearly and accurately. Cool heads must prevail.”
  • Airstrikes leave a distinctive crater where they hit, and no such crater can be found anywhere near the hospital.
  • Images show that a large fire was caused in the area as a result of the blast (as would be expected from rocket fire), but there is no crater.
  • There are clear photos of terrorists launching rockets in a cemetery behind the hospital.
  • It is very common for rockets fired at Israel from Gaza to fall short of their targets and land inside the Strip. Some 450 such “failures” (see here) have been recorded since the start of fighting 11 days ago; and also see here.
  • Photos clearly show that the misfired rocket landed and caused extensive damage to the hospital’s parking lot as a result of the impact as well as the large amount of rocket fuel that was still in the projectile as it fell short. The rocket did not hit the hospital itself.
  • IDF radar detected outgoing rocket fire at the same moment the blast at the hospital occurred.
  • Similarly, video footage shows the rocket fire near the hospital, followed by an explosion.
  • An intercepted call between two Hamas officials shortly after the attack explained that Hamas understood it was an Islamic Jihad rocket that had misfired, but apparently decided to take advantage of the situation and launch a global media campaign against Israel. Listen to a recording of the Arabic conversation here and see the translated transcript here.
  • See photo evidence here presented by the IDF, and see the full IDF briefing here.

 

The Home Front

The IDF reiterated earlier today that it believes there may still be some Hamas terrorists hiding out in the south of Israel, and urged caution to all those in the area. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority will pay some $3 million to the families of the Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7 massacres. See more here.

 

Funerals continue for many of the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas:

  • Read about one of the victims, 23 year-old Tifferet Lapidot, here.
  • See this piece about Noa Ben Artzi who described the atrocities first hand, in Washington yesterday. 
  • Here you can read an account by the husband of a woman who is being held hostage in Gaza.
  • Read here a first-hand retelling of the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
  • The Israeli high-tech entrepreneur Eyal Waldman, founder and CEO of Mellanox Technologies, is also a well-known civil society leader. Five years ago, Waldman surprised the technology industry by creating an R&D center in the West Bank, and then two years ago another in the Gaza Strip itself, employing hundreds of Palestinian developers. At the time, he said, “Today we have 25 employees in Gaza. There are talented and smart people out there, economically it pays off. We have good staff… with high motivation, availability and opportunities. And I think it's very important for the two nations to come together. People used to be afraid of each other and didn't talk. But a positive thing is created when people begin to work together and see how tensions decrease and cooperation works. This is good for all sides.” Tragically, on October 7, Hamas murdered Waldman’s daughter Danielle near Kibbutz Reim, less than a mile from where her father opened a Gaza success story.
  • See new stories of civilian heroes that have emerged from October 7, here.
  • See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.

 

For the fifth straight night, there was no rocket fire from Gaza, but attacks resumed this morning, about thirty minutes before President Biden landed at Ben Gurion Airport. Following last night’s false report that a hospital in Gaza had been hit by Israel, a particularly large barrage of rockets was fired against many cities in the center of the country, including many parts of Tel Aviv.

For infographics with the latest numbers from the conflict, see here.

 

There has been a gradual return to in-person schooling, with additional schools resuming in safer areas in Israel today. Areas around the Gaza Strip and also near the Lebanese border remain closed military zones, to which entry by civilians is prohibited. See map here

In the North, Hezbollah continues to try to provoke Israel. Four Israeli soldiers were lightly hurt in an anti-tank guided missile attack from Lebanon early Wednesday morning, in what was the seventh such attack in 24 hours. According to Ofer Bavly, a former Israeli diplomat and now the representative of JUF- the Chicago Jewish Federation in Israel, a deeper Hezbollah involvement in the war would have far-reaching implications. Two US carrier groups are now in the eastern Mediterranean, which constitutes an unprecedented show of American firepower deployed off Israel’s coast. Bavly explains that once President Biden drew a line in the sand and warned third parties not to intervene, Hezbollah must understand that an intensified attack on Israel could lead to an American response which, if deployed, would likely be limited to an air attack, but would be very forceful. According to Bavly, it would then be up to Iran to decide how to react to an American attack on its proxy in Lebanon. See here for more on IDF warnings to Hezbollah about any further escalation.

 

Israeli Reponse

Israeli airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza continued overnight. Among those terrorists killed were Muhammad Awdallah, the head of the anti-tank guided missile array in Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade, and Akram Hijazi, a Hamas naval forces commander. See video image of the strikes here.

The IDF announced the creation of a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza where international aid will be provided, after days of negotiations with Egypt, the US and others to create a safe zone for fleeing Gazans. The IDF says Palestinians should head to the humanitarian zone which is located in the Al-Mawasi area, close to Khan Younis, where “international humanitarian aid will be provided as needed.” The military published a map of the zone (see here). See the announcement in English and in Arabic.

In a possibly cryptic message earlier today, an IDF spokesperson said that the military was ready to begin the next stage of its war on Hamas, but said that it may not necessarily be the ground invasion that everyone was expecting. See here for an analysis of why the ground campaign may not have begun yet. According to a multitude of reports, motivation among soldiers – both those in the standing army, and those reservists called up for emergency duty – is extremely high. See here for video of IDF forces preparing for battle.

 

International Response

US President Biden has landed in Israel in a highly significant show of solidarity and support. This is the first ever visit of a sitting US President to the Jewish state during wartime. In his remarks upon arrival, Biden said, “I wanted to be here today for a simple reason: I want the people of Israel and the people of the world to know where the United States stands…. I wanted to personally come and make that clear.”

 

Biden stressed that Hamas “slaughtered” over 1,300 people, “and that’s not hyperbole, just slaughtered… including 31 Americans. They have taken scores of people hostage, including children. You said, Imagine what those children hiding from Hamas were thinking. It’s beyond my comprehension to imagine what they were thinking.”

“They have committed evils and atrocities that make ISIS look somewhat more rational. Americans are grieving with you, they really are. Americans are worried… because they know this is not an easy field to navigate what you have to do. Israel, as they respond to these attacks, it seems to me that you have to continue to ensure that you have what you need to defend yourselves. And we’re going to make sure that occurs. Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and has brought them only suffering.….Israel has a value set like the United States does and other democracies, and they’re looking to see what we’re going to do.”

The President concluded with a message to Israelis saying “their courage, their commitment, their bravery is stunning. I’m proud to be here.” See video footage here.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was forced to lie down on the tarmac and cover his head as air raid sirens rang out at Ben Gurion Airport just as the leader of Europe’s largest country was boarding a flight to depart Israel. Chancellor Scholz’s entire delegation was forced to get off the plane when the sirens sounded, as per protocol. See video here.

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country, many sharing inspiring tales.

See here the story of a soldier on the front, watching the birth of his child via livestream.

At least 1,000 yeshiva students have responded to calls from ultra-Orthodox rabbis to enlist. Rabbi Raphael Kroizer, head of the Lemaan Daat Beit Midrash, has publicly called for thousands of yeshiva students to join the military, saying “Our people are in danger… It is incumbent upon us to be there in practice, with true devotion, and to put our lives on the line.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has issued a message of solidarity and thanks to the Jewish communities around the world, which reads:

 

“Dear brothers and sisters, Jews from all over the world, and all Jewish communities around the world. I have just returned from a kibbutz in southern Israel. The name of the Kibbutz is Be’eri, an incredible community who made the desert bloom, building immense industries, raising crops and families – a story that shows the incredible accomplishments of Israel and our people. Eight decades ago, the Jewish people saw the worst of human cruelty. We stood on our feet, fought for a home, and created something wonderful.

“When I returned from the kibbutz, I had to wash the blood off my shoes.

“Hamas terrorists murdered more than 100 people there. Ten percent of the Kibbutz. They took others hostage. The houses of the kibbutz are blackened shells. What we have seen in the past week has changed us forever. Israel was founded, as a response to the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II, as an expression of the values of civilization. These values have been violated with unimaginable cruelty - and live-streamed on social media by our enemies. Children were slaughtered, women raped. More than one-thousand-three-hundred innocent Israeli citizens, Jews, and people from all over the world, from thirty-six countries, were murdered in one day. I have seen things I don’t want to describe.

“This isn’t a fight between one small state and a Palestinian terror group – this is a battle between civilization and barbarity. If you are against the bloodthirsty disregard for human life – you stand with Israel. If you are on the side of human dignity and civilization – you stand with Israel.

“In 1948, when our new state was attacked and outnumbered by the Arab world, when our very existence was in doubt, our brothers and sisters in Jewish communities around the world mobilized and helped save the Jewish state and make it bloom and flourish throughout the ages. And you have continued to stand by us all along the way.

“I know that many of you have families in Israel who are worried. Many of you are watching in agony and pain. Your best friends are in Israel. I know you feel the same grief we do. And I know you share our pride and trepidation as our sons and daughters take the fight to the enemy. I know you share in our frustration and anger when our actions to defend ourselves are questioned – even when we abide entirely by international law.

“So dear friends, there are painful and decisive weeks ahead. Our history teaches us that when the Jewish people is united and resolute, there is nothing that is impossible. I thank you for all you have done to support and stand up for Israel. I am so overwhelmed by the incredible show of support, as if the entire Jewish Mishpacha has woken up again as a lion. And thank you for continuing to stand by us. This is moment of tragedy but also a moment of rebirth. The paradise in Be’eri which was turned into Hell, please God, will turn back into paradise. Am Yisrael Chai.”

 

The World Zionist Organization (WZO) has launched a campaign whereby non-Israelis who own homes in Israel can allow those properties to be used by victims who have lost their residences, as well as families evacuated from the south. The WZO will take responsibility to ensure that the properties are returned to their owners in the condition in which they were given. See details here.

 

World ORT

Amos Gofer, CEO of World ORT’s Kfar Silver Youth Village – just a few miles from the Gaza border – recent told his story to audiences on Zoom, of what transpired on October 7.

Amos explained how the day unfolded:

“There was an emergency alarm – but it is something we are used to. We woke up and we were calling the people in the boarding school, telling them to take all the students to the safe rooms. A lot of those students are from Russia and Ukraine, children aged 14, 15 – it was very upsetting for them. We understood within a few minutes that this was different because of the magnitude of the bombs and the noise.”

The students were quickly moved to a building which the village uses to keep safe for longer-term operations – with significant provision of food, activities and other essentials. But with many of Kfar Silver’s High School students living in the kibbutzim close to the Gaza border, calls and messages soon flooded in making clear the extent of the situation.

As Amos called police and other security services it became clear that no immediate assistance would be available as forces dealt with the emergency across the south of the country. “We were willing to die for the students,” he explained. “After a few hours I said I’m evacuating all the students and everyone from the village because no one was coming to help us.”

Thanks to the heroic actions of two bus drivers who were prepared to travel to the village despite the rocket attacks, it was possible to evacuate more than 60 students to safer areas in the north of the country. Thankfully, the vast majority of Kfar Silver’s 1,000-plus students were already off-site for the festival of Simchat Torah.

After the evacuation, only a small number of staff members now remain, ensuring that animals on the village’s farm are looked after and that the security of the village is not compromised.

Although thankfully the students and teachers are now in safer areas, tragically many of them have lost family members and friends in the attacks. It is thought that more than 30 people with ORT links have been killed or kidnapped by terrorists. Of those, a number of Kfar Silver graduates have been killed serving in the IDF.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. Already, Jewish Federations have allocated $10 million to 20 organizations providing emergency relief and support in Israel, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, World ORT, Israel Trauma Coalition, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, Barzilai Medical Center, and the Soroka Medical Center. These funds are being put to a slew of immediate and urgent needs, such as medical care, emergency services, evacuation, transport, housing, supporting victims of terror, trauma relief and psychological support, as well as preparing for medium- and long-term needs. For details, click here.

The announcement follows a gathering of major philanthropists and community leaders in Washington, DC, who also participated in the "Unity in Crisis" event Federations co-hosted alongside the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, AIPAC, AJC, the ADL, among others. See more here.

Jewish Federations of North America placed a full-page ad in the Jerusalem Post to welcome President Joe Biden to Israel on his mission of solidarity, thanking him profoundly for “his deep and sincere support of Israel during this dark hour.”

As many funders struggle to distinguish between the multitudes of organizations looking for important resources, the Jewish Funders Network has produced this important page of guidance.

For those in Israel – or with family or friends there – who are looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

 

See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

To subscribe to this update, click here.

Update: October 17, 2023

Key Points:

  • On day 11 of Israel’s War with Hamas, rocket fire has again slowed considerably as signs continue to indicate that Hamas may be losing some control. Nonetheless, the IDF warns that the terror group still holds large stocks of weapons.
  • US President Joe Biden is scheduled to land in Israel tomorrow (Wednesday) morning Israel Time, in a highly significant show of solidarity and support.
  • Across North America, the Jewish world, and of course in Israel itself, people continue to rally to support all those Israelis affected by the fighting.
  • Tune in now to watch the livestream of the Emergency Leadership Mission for Israel where political leaders from across the spectrum, donning the #BlueRibbon, are joining Federation leaders and partner organizations at the event. Watch here.

 

The Home Front

Latest figures show that some 1,400 Israelis have been killed including more than 280 soldiers. Among the dead are over 40 babies. Close to 3,600 Israelis have been wounded. Officially, 199 victims are being held by Hamas, with additional people listed as missing. Among the dead are at least 29 US citizens, while some 15 Americans are listed as missing. At least 6,600 rockets have been launched into Israel from Gaza, with additional firings from Lebanon and Syria.

See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers. For infographics with the latest numbers from the conflict, see here.

Hamas has released a disturbing video of one of the hostages – 21-year-old Mia Schem from the town of Shoham near Tel Aviv. In the video, Schem appears to be receiving medical attention from Hamas, likely after being shot in the shoulder. In the clip, Schem says, “Hi, I'm Maya Schem, 21-years-old from Shoham. Currently, I'm in Gaza. I returned early Saturday morning from Sderot; I was at a party. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my hand at the hospital [in Gaza] for 3 hours. They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine. I only ask that they bring me home as soon as possible to my parents, to my siblings. Get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.”

The IDF says that it expects further such clips, featuring more of the captives. The IDF spokesperson commented, “This is psychological terror by Hamas against the citizens of Israel….. In this video, Hamas tries to present itself as a humanitarian organization while it is in fact a murderous terror group.” He says one must ask, “How did a 21-year-old girl who went to a party to dance, end up being kidnapped by a murderous terror group in the heart of Gaza?”

More and more accounts of the October 7 invasion are emerging. Listen here to an interview with an Israeli first responder who was on the ground during Saturday’s massacre.

Meanwhile, for the fourth straight night, there was no rocket fire from Gaza, although attacks have continued at a significantly slower rate during the day, including towards Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other cities in the center of the country. No major injuries were reported. In Jerusalem, the sirens sounded just as the Knesset was meeting in special session for the opening of its Winter Session. Members of Knesset had to rush from the plenary and enter shelters mid-session. 

During his remarks to the special Knesset session, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:

“This is a moment of genuine struggle against those who have risen up against us to destroy us. Our goal is victory – a crushing victory over Hamas, toppling its regime and removing its threat to the State of Israel once and for all.

“There are many questions about the disaster that befell us ten days ago. We will investigate everything thoroughly. We have already begun to apply immediate lessons. However, now we are focused on one goal: Uniting our forces and storming forward to victory.

“To this end, determination is required because victory will take time. There will be difficult moments. There will be pitfalls. Sacrifice will be necessary. But we will win because this is our very existence in this region, in which there are many dark forces.

“Hamas is part of the axis of evil of Iran, Hezbollah and their minions. They seek to destroy the State of Israel and murder us all. They want to return the Middle East to the abyss of the barbaric fanaticism of the Middle Ages, whereas we want to take the Middle East forward to the heights of progress of the 21st century.

“This is a struggle between the children of light and the children of darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle. We saw this in the horrors that the reprehensible murderers perpetrated in Kibbutz Be'eri, in Kfar Aza, in the other communities of the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, and in the killing field of young people at a festival in Re'im.

“I tell our friends in the enlightened world: Our war is also your war. If we do not stand together in a united front, it will reach you as well.

“We have a message for Iran and Hezbollah: Do not test us in the north. Do not repeat your previous mistake because the price you will pay will be much worse. President Biden told you in English: 'Don’t do it.' I tell you in Hebrew: ‘Be careful.’

 “We have gone to war. We will win. We will not stop until victory.”

 

There has been a gradual return to in-person schooling, with additional schools resuming in safer areas in Israel today. Meanwhile hospitals have restarted performing non-elective surgeries in areas not directly affected by the fighting. A large area around the Gaza Strip remains a closed military zone, to which entry by civilians is prohibited. See map here

In the North, skirmishes continue, even as Israel tries hard to deescalate that front. Today, an anti-tank missile was fired at the Israeli town of Metulla, injuring three people. The entire town of Metulla has now been declared a closed military zone. Earlier, the IDF killed four terrorists who tried to cross the border from Lebanon and plant an explosive device, close to the Israeli town of Hanita. The military says the cell was identified as it approached the border fence and was struck by a drone.

 

Israeli Response

IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said in a statement this morning that, “The IDF will win thanks to sticking to the mission, fortitude, and courage. The IDF will win because our war is just. The IDF will win thanks to the resilience of the people from which it comes. It will win thanks to its abilities and because we trained for this task. We will win, and in all actions, we will act according to the spirit of the IDF and its values.” See here for a message of Halevi to IDF troops.

Israeli airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza continued overnight. Among the victims was the “head of crossings” in Gaza, Fouad Abu Btihan, and Osama al-Mazini, a senior member of Hamas's political bureau and the head of Hamas's Shura Council. Mazini was in charge of negotiations which led to the prisoner swap in which IDF soldier Gilad Schalit was released from Hamas captivity. See footage here of additional IDF strikes overnight.

Following the IDF warning issued to Gazan civilians to evacuate the north of the Strip, Israel estimates that more than 650,000 of the area’s one million residents have left their homes. At least 100,000 residents remain in Gaza City itself. A United Nations (UNWRA) employee in Gaza published a post on social media yesterday where he said that Hamas had looted United Nations fuel and medicines. The post was later deleted, probably under duress.

Israeli media is also reporting that at least 4,000 Gazans who were working in Israel have been held in a special facility while security services determine whether they had assisted Hamas in the attacks.

 

International Response

Earlier today, the head of the US Military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) landed in Israel. Gen. Michael Kurilla met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and others at the Kirya, Israel’s military headquarters where, in an unusual move, US military representatives took part in an IDF operational meeting. Kurilla said he has come to “gain a clear understanding of Israel’s defense requirements, outline US support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defense’s ironclad support for Israel.”

In a similar move, yesterday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet, the first time a non-Israeli has ever taken part in these confidential discussions.

Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel “had been attacked by brutal and abhorrent murderers, had gone to war determined and united, and would not stop until it had destroyed Hamas's military and governing capabilities.”

Meanwhile German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Israel today on a solidarity visit, as did New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu arrived in Jerusalem early this morning, accompanied by Defense Minister Angel Tîlvar, becoming the first world leader to visit since fighting began.

Yesterday, the Wexner Foundation announced that it is cutting ties with Harvard University over “the dismal failure of Harvard’s leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists last Saturday.” The prestigious Wexner Foundation Fellowship includes a period of study at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of government. A letter from the foundation to Harvard Board of Overseers severing ties, goes on to say that many Israel fellows “feel abandoned” by the university. “Other university presidents have said precisely what we should have heard immediately from President [Claudine] Gay,” read the letter, citing Ben Sasse, the president of the University of Florida, who said in a statement yesterday: “What Hamas did was evil and there is no defense for terrorism. This shouldn’t be hard.”

“In the absence of this clear moral stand, we have determined that the Harvard Kennedy School and The Wexner Foundation are no longer compatible partners,” the organization’s leadership wrote. “Our core values and those of Harvard no longer align.”

 

Efforts on the Ground

Israelis of all stripes have come together to support soldiers and bolster morale in the country.

Some 600 people, mainly families with small children, are leaving the southern town of Ofakim (that was attacked by Hamas last Saturday) for a week, to stay at hotels in Eilat as part of an initiative by local technology companies. Israeli tech giants Fiver and HiBob, as well as other firms, are leading the effort to provide some respite to residents of the town, which saw some 50 people killed on the first day of the war. Ofakim, a city of 34,000, located 15 miles from the Strip, does not fall under the national evacuation plan for communities on the southern and northern borders ahead of the Gaza ground operation.

With the danger real for so many soldiers on the front waiting to enter Gaza, numerous engaged (and other) couples have chosen to hastily wed before the next stage of the war begins. Many partners have traveled to the front for these ceremonies, and the IDF put together this short clip showing some of the weddings.

Also see this letter from the leadership of the Weizmann Institute for Science, calling on scientists across the world to stand up to terrorism and support Israel at this dark hour.

See here for an article on how much the Israeli economy is suffering as a result of the war.

The IDF Spokesperson reiterated today that the IDF has all required equipment for its soldiers. Some 17,000 additional kevlar body armor plates arrived in Israel earlier. These were purchased by the Ministry of Defense and will be fitted in the coming days. Some equipment that had been sent by donors to the IDF was tested and found to be unsuitable for battle conditions and could, if distributed to soldiers, put their lives in danger. He reiterated that only the Ministry of Defense is authorized to procure equipment for the IDF, either from its own budget or from the emergency fund created by the Association for the Israeli Soldier (and its US branch, FIDF). See more here.

With tensions high in the Arab sector, the mayor of Lod, a mixed Arab-Jewish city, sent out this message:

 

“Dear residents of Lod, Jews and Arabs, please read this important post to the end. It will relieve many worries and tensions. I have consoled our resident, whose father, Khaled Abu Farhan, was brutally murdered on Saturday in the city of Sderot, while he was working there as a security guard.

“His pleas in Arabic to the terrorists were of no avail and they brutally murdered him and abused his body.

“Najia, a health fund employee, told me that she did national service, and her brothers are IDF fighters, who are currently fighting the murderous Hamas. She asked me to convey the following message to you: There is no struggle between Jews and Arabs here. There is a war between Israelis - Jews, and non-Jews who seek peace and goodness - and the bloodthirsty Hamas terrorists, who desire the destruction of the State of Israel.

“To the Jewish public, I want to say: You may be Nejia's neighbors, and when you saw her this morning in the elevator or in the supermarket, you immediately thought that she was someone "from Hamas who wants to harm us" and not the representative of an entire family that contributes to the State of Israel and wants to destroy Hamas just like us. Believe me, the vast majority of Lod Arabs are anxious about the war, call me endlessly about problems in the shelters and understand that Hamas does not distinguish between Jews and Arabs. There have been many calls and offers of help. We are all in the same boat.

“I would like to say to the Arab public: in recent days, Hamas has been spreading calls to the Arabs of Israel including to the Arabs of Lod to go to demonstrations in support of Hamas and start riots here. These messages cause serious concerns among the Jewish public. And rightly so. We were already in this tragedy two and a half years ago in Operation Guardian of the Walls. I am talking to many of you, and you have no intention of taking part in any demonstrations or working against the state. The wonderful country, which Hamas wants to destroy, provides us all with security, education, welfare, and many other good things, even if it is incumbent upon us as a country to reduce the gaps in Arab society. And so, we do.

“I ask you, also in this post, to register your disgust for the terrible massacre that happened on Saturday, that you do not intend to participate in any solidarity with Hamas. And understand how brazenly they ask you to sympathize while they fire missiles, which have already killed and injured many in the Arab society.

“I would like to thank all of us: for a week now, all of us, Jews, and Arabs, have been behaving with great responsibility, with sadness, with pain, and with a great effort to maintain the common fabric of life.

“The coming weeks will be another test for all of us. Along with the highest preparedness of the police and the municipality, I would like to wish that the exemplary silence so far will be maintained. With God's help and inshallah!”

 

The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

In hospitals nationwide, ITC trained resilience professionals are working around the clock to provide emotional first aid, support, and self-care to their colleagues.

The Bedouin community, especially the tens of thousands of people living in “unrecognized” or unofficial villages, with no system of emergency alerts or shelters, are particularly vulnerable during this war. In one unrecognized village, a family was directly hit by a Hamas rocket and all four members of the family were killed instantly. The number of Bedouins killed during the war stands at 20, of which at least five were from the town of Rahat. ITC and the Bedouin Resilience Center are working to train therapists and teachers in psychosocial care and support working in schools and providing on-line and telephone support. Guidelines in Arabic, culturally adapted for the Bedouin community, have been distributed to all the communities.

Across the board, there is a desperate need to provide targeted training, support, and self-care tools to trauma teams from specific population groups. For example, Ukrainian therapists who made Aliyah within the last 5 years are being trained by ITC to provide psychosocial services to Ukrainian and Russian speakers in Israel.

 

Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations have launched an unprecedented $500 million campaign to support Israel. See more here.

 

Jewish Federations along with 50 partner organizations have launched #BlueRibbonsforIsrael, a unity campaign in support of the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel. It symbolizes solidarity with the hostages, their families, and all who care about their safety. Learn more here.

For those in Israel – or with family or friends there – who are looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.

See also this Jewish Federations information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

Readers can access a Jewish Federations toolkit of resources here. For full details about the home front and military operations, see this update.

The Community Mobilization Center is monitoring major developments in Israel and North America related to Israel’s war to defend herself against Hamas, and will rapidly disseminate resources to help mobilize and support our local communities as they work to build and sustain civic and political support for Israel in this conflict. Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

Update: October 13, 2023

Key Points:

  • More than 1,300 Israelis killed, including at least 220 soldiers, 22 US citizens, and 2 Canadians, with over 3,300 wounded, including 350 in serious condition. Additionally, over 6,000 rockets have been fired at Israel, and an estimated 150 Israelis are being held hostage in Gaza.
  • Jewish Federations have launched an unprecedented $500 million campaign to support Israel at this time. See more here. We also announced our first $10 million allocation. Click here for details.
  • For those in Israel – or with family or friends there – who are looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations. See also this information page on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating and this update regarding volunteering.

 

On Day 7 of Israel’s war with Hamas, the IDF appears poised for a massive ground invasion of Gaza, and has ordered one million Palestinians in the north of the Strip to evacuate.

 

The Home Front

Hundreds of funerals have taken place across Israel, as the country continues to bury its dead. See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.

 

Rocket fire has slowed considerably, but, following 14 hours of quiet, a barrage was fired at the Israeli civilian population. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Hamas is losing control and that chaos is reigning inside Gaza, limiting the terror group’s ability to launch rockets effectively.

 

Schools and most businesses in Israel are shuttered and a large area around the Gaza Strip remains a closed military zone, to which entry by civilians is prohibited.

 

In some unusual moves, special arrangements have been made for Shabbat, mainly with the backing of the Chief Rabbinate:

 

  • During Shabbat, Home Front Command personnel will be on a specially designated “silent radio channel”, and when necessary, will deliver life-saving instructions.
  • El Al, which does not normally fly on Shabbat, will be operating special flights this Shabbat to carry the large number of IDF reservists who are trying to fly back to Israel to join their IDF units.
  • Israel Railways, which also does not normally operate on Shabbat, will run train services tonight and tomorrow due to the emergency situation.

 

Day of Rage?

Earlier this week, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called for Muslims and their supporters worldwide to “mobilize for jihad,” and to gather across the world on Friday for a “Day of Rage.”

 

In response, Israel’s National Security Council along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for Israelis and Jews around the world to stay vigilant. In a joint statement, they said, “Against the background of the Swords of Iron War, the Hamas leadership issued a call to all their supporters in the world to hold a 'Day of Rage' this coming Friday (October 13), including a call to go out and harm Israelis and Jews. From this it is likely that there will be protest events in various countries around the world, which may develop into violent events.”

 

The Israeli government urged Israelis abroad to remain vigilant, stay away from demonstrations, and, if necessary, keep updated with local security forces about possible demonstrations and riots.

 

Similarly, Jewish Federations of North America and the Secure Community Network (SCN) are working in close coordination and with federal, state and local law enforcement to safeguard the Jewish community. Based on current assessments and absent information provided directly by law enforcement or public safety partners to a specific community or organization, they are advising that organizations can remain open and operational.

 

Israeli Response

The IDF believes that some 300,000 Gazans have already fled the area of fighting, and has now ordered approximately 1 million Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes within 24 hours, in apparent preparation for a ground invasion. In explaining the order, the IDF stated, “We are fighting a terror group, not the Gazan population. We don’t want civilians to be harmed, but we cannot live with the rule of Hamas-ISIS near our border.”

 

Despite this, Hamas has ordered citizens to remain in their homes. According to some Israeli officials, the Hamas request is “a cynical attempt to ensure human shields and even civilian casualties.”

 

Following the IDF order, the United Nations said that it, “considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences. The UN strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded, avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”

 

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan commented, “The UN’s response to Israel’s early warning to the residents of Gaza is a disgrace. For many years, the UN turned a blind eye to the arming of Hamas and its use of civilian populations and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip for murder and for stockpiling its weapons. Now, instead of standing with Israel whose citizens were slaughtered by Hamas terrorists and which still tries to minimize harm to non-combatants, it preaches explicitly to Israel.”

 

The IDF’s Cyber Directorate hacked Hamas’s “Al Aqsa” television station, taking over its transmission yesterday. Messages in Arabic were then broadcast to Gazans calling on them to abandon their homes and escape, ahead of a major attack. Videos were screened of Israeli fighter jets being armed with bombs. At the same time, Israeli planes dropped fliers over neighborhoods in Gaza advising people to leave their homes; while Israeli intelligence services made robo-calls to thousands of cell phones in Gaza with the same messages.

 

IDF Chief of the General Staff Hertzi Ha-Levi spoke to Israeli media today and said that all Hamas senior leaders including the organization’s number one figure, Yehia Sinwar, are condemned to die and their organization will be dismantled. This is the first direct threat issued against Hamas leadership who until now had been considered exempt from direct targeting.

 

Overnight, the IDF carried out airstrikes against at least 750 Hamas targets in Gaza. Among the targets were 12 multi-story buildings housing Hamas assets. Other targets included tunnels, military compounds, residences of senior Hamas members used as military command centers, weapons storage warehouses, and communications rooms. Hamas claims that 15 of the Israeli hostages it is holding were killed in Israeli air strikes.

 

According to Hamas sources, some 1,500 Palestinians – many of them Hamas representatives – have been killed in Israeli strikes, in addition to the 1,500 terrorists killed during the initial invasion into Israel on Saturday.

 

There has been no further significant activity on Israel’s northern border, and Israel remain cautiously optimistic that Hezbollah will stay out of the conflict.

 

Following the formation of the national unity government in Israel, and after developments of the last week, data indicate that support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has plummeted while those of newly-appointed Minister Benny Gantz, have soared. Results from a poll taken by the Ma’ariv newspaper, suggest that if elections were held now, Netanyahu’s Likud would drop from its current 32 seats to just 19, while Gantz’s National Unity Party would rise from 12 to 41 seats. Support has also dropped, although more modestly, for other parties in the coalition.

 

International Response

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed his trip to Israel yesterday. Speaking to media, he referenced photos he was shown from Hamas's assault on southern Israel and said that "it almost defies human comprehension, precisely because it’s not human."

 

Blinken also stated, “It’s genuinely overwhelming. The world’s already seen a lot of these images, but I saw some images today that I hadn’t seen before, and I suspect others hadn’t. I almost hesitate to get into it, but a young infant riddled with bullets; a family hugging each other in a death embrace, having been burned to death; beheaded soldiers; more. It almost defies human comprehension, precisely because it’s not human. And it reminds me in some ways of the worst of what we saw from ISIS a few years ago. Thankfully, ISIS has been dealt with. Hamas – not yet.”

 

Following Blinken’s visit, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Israel and will meet with senior leaders as well as view some of the US weapons and security assistance that the US Government has delivered. US officials said the Secretary wants to underscore America’s unwavering support for the people of Israel, and that the United States is committed to making sure the country has what it needs to defend itself.

 

Meanwhile an Israeli embassy staffer in Beijing has been hospitalized after an attack, Israel’s Foreign Ministry says. The diplomat is in stable condition.

 

Federation Partners on the Ground

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel

The Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror continues to provide immediate financial assistance to victims and their families. So far, 150 grants have been distributed and more will be disbursed today - this time to victims from Sha’ar HaNegev and Eshkol. The Fund is operating on a wider scale than ever before, and the Agency is coordinating resources to expand its activities to support those impacted. A hotline will also be established shortly to better serve victims and their families.

 

The Jewish Agency’s 12 absorption centers in the south house 3,800 olim while 3,900 olim live in the 12 absorption centers in the north. In the past few days, more than 1,600 olim have been evacuated from the south to safer locations and the Agency is organizing various respite activities. They have also partnered with the Association of Youth Hostels to reserve 400 beds in Eilat and 220 beds in Mitzpe Ramon in case there is a need to evacuate olim from northern Israel.

 

The Agency continues to work to find alternate flights for olim who were scheduled to make Aliyah but had their flights cancelled; all new olim are being given information kits on how to stay safe during the emergency on arrival.

 

Agency shlichim worldwide have organized, attended and spoken at rallies and gatherings in solidarity with Israel occurring on college campuses and in cities globally.

 

At the Agency’s Amigour homes for the elderly, staff continue to work to ensure the safety and care of 2,617 residents in housing in the south, and 2,337 residents in the north and center. 

 

The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC):

ITC’s Southern Resilience Centers have received some 4,000 requests for emotional help and to provide trauma care in evacuated areas. Staff are providing telephone and Zoom assistance when face to face direct care has not been possible. Demand is nearly three times what was recorded during previous crisis situations. In addition, over 5,500 inquiries have been made to ITC’s ERAN hotline.

 

Thirty-two centers have been set up for evacuees from the Gaza Envelope, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and ITC. ITC teams are on site assessing needs and providing trauma care in hotels and other centers.

 

ITC is also supporting the teams helping families during the process of identification of bodies and with those who have family members missing.

 

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) is providing daily in-depth and inside analysis, sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency. A rotating team of top analysts on Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system and the country’s diverse society, will speak Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 - 11:30a.m. EDT by Zoom. Join here.

 

For those looking for opportunities to volunteer and assist Israel, please see this guide, prepared by Jewish Federations.

 

Jewish Federations National Young Leadership Cabinet recently held a webinar on "How to Talk to Kids about Operation Swords of Iron" with Dr. Jenna Shapiro. Click here for a recording. Click here for a resource guide from Dr. Shapiro.

 

Jewish Federations issued a statement on the current fighting.



Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

 

Update: October 12, 2023

Key Points

  • More than 1,300 Israelis killed, including at least 220 soldiers, 22 US citizens and 2 Canadians
  • Some 3,300 Israelis wounded, including 350 in serious condition
  • Over 6,000 rockets fired at Israel
  • An estimated 150 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza
  • For those looking for help, critical information about the situation on the ground, or other assistance, see this resource page put together by Jewish Federations.
  • See also this Jewish Federations update on requests for personal protective equipment which are circulating.

 

On Day 6 of Israel’s war with Hamas the casualty rate has again risen, reaching 1300 Israelis killed.

 

In a massive display of unity with Israel, Jewish Federations have held (or are planning) some 120 solidarity gatherings in communities across North America, as part of an unprecedented effort to support Israel. See here for more.

 

The Home Front

Funerals took place across Israel yesterday, with many more scheduled for today as the country begins the heart-wrenching task of burying its dead. With such large numbers, many are attending multiple funerals and the IDF rabbinate, burial societies and others are working around the clock to enable an honorable funeral for every victim.

 

One of the fallen was Bruna Valeanu, a 24-year-old Brazilian-Israeli who was murdered at the Rave. Only Bruna’s mother and sister live in Israel and they were concerned that there would not be a minyan (prayer quorum) at the funeral. A message was sent out on social media asking for volunteers to ensure that wouldn’t happen. Instead of the 10 that they sought, an astonishing 10,000 people showed up for the funeral in Petach Tikva last night.

 

See here for a list of the names of those murdered that have been released so far, and here for a site in Hebrew with the names and photos of fallen soldiers.

 

Most people from the towns around Gaza have been evacuated, leaving authorities continuing the grim task of collecting bodies, and surveying the severe damage. In some kibbutzim and towns, large portions of the population have been murdered and most houses, cars and other property destroyed. In some cases, it remains unclear whether the towns or kibbutzim will be rebuilt at all. Among other items, in Kibbutz Sufa, Hamas fighters left behind an ISIS flag (see photo here). At the same time, tales of heroism are emerging from the first day of fighting. Read some inspiring stories here.

 

Rocket fire continues across the country but has slowed considerably. Seven houses in Sderot were hit causing considerable damage and four people have been injured, two seriously. For ten hours last night, not a single rocket was fired. This could be because Hamas is “pacing itself,” preparing for a protracted battle with Israel, and trying to save supplies; but could also be due to IDF efforts fighting the terror group.

 

According to the IDF, Hamas is showing signs of losing control, and its senior leadership may have lost communication with numerous commanders. Schools and most businesses are shuttered and a large area around the Gaza Strip remains a closed military zone, to which entry by civilians is prohibited. See map here.

 

At the request of the Home Front Command and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel: During the upcoming Shabbat, Channel 14 will broadcast a “Gal Shaket” to be used for the Shabbat-observant public. During Shabbat, Home Front Command personnel will be on the channel, and when necessary, they will deliver life-saving instructions. The rest of the time the channel will be in silent mode. The silent broadcast will also provide a solution to the hearing impaired, with text instructions provided simultaneously on the Idan Plus TV system. Under the guidance of the chief rabbis of Israel, the channel must be turned and left on from before Shabbat begins.

 

Similarly, Israeli carrier El Al, which does not fly on Shabbat, announced it would be operating special flights on Shabbat to carry the large number of IDF reservists who are trying to fly back to Israel to join their IDF units. The company, whose majority stake is owned by an ultra-Orthodox Jew, received authorization from a number of rabbis to fly on Shabbat this week.

 

Israeli Response

With 360,000 reserve soldiers called, in addition to the regular standing army, almost every family in Israel is directly connected to the fighting. See video footage here of reserve soldiers preparing for battle earlier today.

 

Since Saturday, the IDF has already carried out strikes against more than 2,650 targets across the Gaza Strip. Overnight, attacks killed Muhammed Abu Shamala, a senior operative of Hamas’ naval forces whose house was used to store naval weapons; as well as Mustafa Shahin, a Hamas operative who filmed and broadcast the terror group’s murders in southern Israel on Saturday. See footage of IDF strikes overnight here.

 

The IDF is using videos posted on the internet of the murders, attacks and kidnappings, to identify perpetrators with the help of facial recognition technology.

 

According to Hamas sources, some 1,200 Palestinians – most of them Hamas militants – have been killed in Israeli strikes, in addition to the 1,500 terrorists killed during the initial invasion into Israel on Saturday.

 

Israel’s Energy Minister Yisrael Katz confirmed that Israel will not reconnect Gaza’s electricity supply until the hostages held by Hamas are released. He stated, “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water pump will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home. Humanitarianism in exchange for humanitarianism. No one can preach morality to us.”

 

While hopes remain high that a significant escalation on Israel’s northern border can be avoided, the IDF has considerably bolstered its forces across the region as a precautionary step. Early yesterday evening, there were reports of 15-20 manned paragliders crossing the border from Lebanon, sounding sirens across Israel’s north. While details around the event have not been released, the IDF confirms that there were no successful incursions.

 

The IDF maintains that there is no shortage of essential equipment for soldiers, although acknowledges some logistical challenges resulting from the unprecedented call-up and large number of reserve troops in active service (see photos here).

 

Today, the IDF announced that it has already successfully:

 

  • Provided hundreds of heavy weaponry units to IDF units.
  • Supplied 24,000 tons of infrastructure materials (asphalt, gravel, and earthworks).
  • Employed over 60 construction companies to assist the IDF.
  • Established 5 factories for the production of protective equipment.
  • Rented hundreds of generators.
  • Prepared approximately 1,500 buses for transporting IDF soldiers, focused mainly on reserve forces.
  • Delivered over 1,000 carriers, semi-trailers, trucks, and around 1,200 rental vehicles to combat forces.
  • Distributed a wide variety of equipment including baby food to the residents of the city of Sderot.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Union Chair Benny Gantz formalized the national emergency government last night. Appearing together, the Prime Minister said:

 

“Citizens of Israel, this evening we have formed a national emergency government. The people are united and today its leadership is also united. We have put aside every other consideration because the fate of our country is at stake. We will work together, shoulder to shoulder, for the citizens of Israel and for the State of Israel… I would like to stand by the soldiers, and the security service and rescue personnel, who are working around the clock in all sectors. The entire people of Israel are behind you. I say to you, citizens of Israel, to my colleagues here, and to all of you the words of the prophet Isaiah: 'They helped every one his neighbor; and every one said to his brother: 'Be of good courage.' The people of Israel live – and together we will win.”

 

Minister Gantz added:

“Our standing here, shoulder to shoulder, is a clear message to our enemies, and more importantly, a message to all citizens of Israel – we are all together, we are all mobilizing. Ours is not a political partnership but a shared fate. All citizens of Israel share a common fate, and together we will shape our fate and reality. At this time, we are all soldiers of the State of Israel. This is the time to come together and win. This is not the time for difficult questions, it is the time for crushing responses on the battlefield. I would like to turn to all citizens of Israel and tell them that the enemy will be destroyed, security will be restored the killing fields in which our heroes fell will be rebuilt and the entire State of Israel will flourish anew and be strengthened.”

 

International Response

Last night, a first shipment of equipment for the IDF from the US Government arrived in Israel and is already being deployed.

 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Thursday morning to express the solidarity of the United States with Israel. Among other meetings, he has met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and will meet with the families of American citizens abducted by Hamas. In their meeting, Netanyahu said to Secretary Blinken, “Just as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed. And Hamas should be treated exactly the way ISIS was treated.”

 

Meanwhile US President Joe Biden is said to be considering re-freezing the $6 billion dollars that was released in August for Iran.

 

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with 31 NATO defense ministers who were gathering in Brussels earlier today. Gallant spoke of the atrocities committed by Hamas against children, women, men and the elderly and told the assembled ministers, “We have been hit hard. Yet make no mistake – 2023 is not 1943. We are the same Jews, but we have different capabilities. The State of Israel is strong. We are united, and powerful.” Gallant also presented an unreleased and uncensored video of some of the horrific acts committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as foreign nationals who were either kidnapped or killed.

 

Last night, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog spoke with the United Kingdom’s King Charles III, who called to express his condolences and “deep shock at the criminal and barbaric actions of the terrorist organization Hamas in its attack on the citizens of Israel.”

 

Federation Partners on the Ground

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel

 

  • Some 40 more grants were distributed by the Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror yesterday, and more are expected to be distributed very soon.
  • The Agency has also convened a Roundtable with the National Emergency Forum to discuss bringing medical volunteers from overseas, including doctors and paramedical professionals.
  • At the same time, the Agency is preparing an evacuation plan for communities in the north should that become necessary.
  • The 1,480 olim who have been evacuated from Jewish Agency absorption centers in the South to safer locations elsewhere in Israel will remain on respite until at least Monday.
  • The Agency is also working on finding alternate flights for Olim that were scheduled to arrive and have had their flights cancelled. All new Olim are being given an information kit to help them on arrival.
  • Masa participants are participating in volunteer activities, including assembling food packages, helping with babysitting, conducting deliveries, and more.
  • All participants in the Agency’s Haredi Mechina Program in Moshav Ora returned to their program yesterday, and some other Mechinot will resume by the end of the week.

 

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

Some of JDC's response to the current situation in recent days included the following:

 

  • A first group of 170 families at risk in the south of Israel were approved to receive vouchers for food, household items, toys and medicines. This assistance is aimed at helping recipients who were struggling financially before the crisis, make emergency purchases such as water, toys, and other supplies for shelters and safe rooms.
  • JDC professionals visited centers throughout Israel, housing Holocaust survivors from the communities bordering the Gaza Strip, who were evacuated after the tragic attacks. JDC staff met with elderly Holocaust survivors to assess their needs and determine responses.
  • Youth studying at a vocational school supported by JDC volunteered to use their skills to support survivors in the south of Israel. Students studying in the carpentry track created locks for safe spaces in apartments, to enhance their protection, and students studying in the culinary track prepared hot meals for families in the South.
  • JDC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, converted a JDC-initiated employment center in the Haredi city of Bnei Brak into a volunteer hub. So far 500 Haredi volunteers have signed up and are staffing call centers, visiting elderly, and supporting vital community services. JDC aims to replicate this model in other JDC-initiated employment centers throughout Israel.
  • The JDC cafeteria in Jerusalem has been repurposed to support the major relief efforts taking place in Israel. Professionals in our Israel office are volunteering their time to make food for forensic police officers working around the clock to identify the bodies of civilians and soldiers who fell victim to the recent terrible attack.

 

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) is providing daily in-depth and inside analysis, sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency. A rotating team of top analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system and the country’s diverse society, will speak Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 - 11:30a.m. EDT by Zoom. Join here.

 

For those looking for opportunities to volunteer and assist Israel, please see this guide, prepared by Jewish Federations.

 

Jewish Federations issued a statement on the current fighting. 

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground, and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops.

Donations to the Jewish Federations emergency fund can be made here.

Update: October 11, 2023

Key Points

 

  • More than 1,200 Israelis killed, including some 170 soldiers
  • Over 3,000 Israelis wounded – 480 still hospitalized; 6,000 rockets fired at Israel
  • An estimated 150 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza
  • National Emergency Government established with Netanyahu and Gantz
  • Concern over second front heats up with exchanges across Lebanon border
  • Biden pledges unwavering support against "pure unadulterated evil" Hamas wrought; Blinken to visit Israel
  • Federations hold 115 solidarity events across North America

 

On Day 5 of Israel’s war with Hamas the casualty rate has yet again risen significantly. Additional hostile acts by Hezbollah are stoking fears of a two-front war. 

 

Late in the afternoon today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Union Chair Benny Gantz announced the formation of a national emergency unity government. Five National Unity MKs will join the government as ministers without portfolio, and a new Security Cabinet will be comprised of Netanyahu, Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer as well as National Unity MK Gadi Eizenkot (a former IDF Chief of Staff) serving as observers. 

 

Yesterday morning, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog met with President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America Eric Fingerhut, along with the CEO of UJA Federation New York Eric Goldstein, and Jewish Federations Senior Vice President Rebecca Caspi, to discuss the emergency situation.  

 

President Herzog said, “Israel is under attack and its people are grieving. But the Jewish state has always shown incredible resilience under fire and today is strong, determined, and united.” The president specifically thanked global Jewry, and singled out the North American Jewish community for “standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel in its hour of need” and thanked us “for all you are doing to speak up, support and defend Israel on the global stage: In the corridors of power, the press, social media and throughout the public arena. We in Israel feel greatly comforted by the fact that the entire Jewish People is with us at this fateful hour.” 

 

In a massive display of unity with Israel, Jewish Federations have organized (or are planning) more than 115 solidarity gatherings in communities across North America. See more here

 

The Home Front

The IDF reaffirmed that it has regained control of all cities in the country’s south and successfully prevented multiple terrorist infiltrations of the border fence with Gaza in the last two days. In addition, a Hamas diver trying to enter Israel via the sea was killed. In the last 24 hours, there have been seven live engagements between troops and Hamas terrorists inside Israel, and IDF forces have neutralized 18 gunmen. The military continues to warn that some terrorists may remain inside Israel from earlier incursions.  

 

IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari clarified that, in the IDF’s opinion, Hamas, in its initial attack on Saturday, “intended to occupy the area, not raid and return to Gaza.” 

 

As more bodies are discovered from Saturday’s attack, the official death toll has risen above 1,200, and funerals are being held around the clock (see here). The IDF Rabbinate and other officials are struggling with the sheer quantity of bodies, significantly slowing both the identification process and the go-ahead for funerals (see details here). To accommodate the large number of military casualties, a new section has been opened at the national military cemetery on Mt. Herzl. Last night hundreds of volunteers showed up on site, following an urgent call to begin the somber task of digging fresh graves (see photo here).  

 

See here for a page, in Hebrew, with information about soldiers who have fallen in the fighting. As details emerge, it is becoming clearer that terrible events were perpetrated by Hamas in the first day of the war, including rapes, beheadings, and the murders of many babies. In addition, towns that were temporarily overrun by terrorists saw homes and stores looted, buildings burned, and more. Estimated damage in one day is more than $1 billion USD. 

 

Updated figures indicate that at least 14 US nationals and two Canadian citizens were killed in the Hamas attacks, and that some 20 Americans and two Canadians are still missing. 

 

Significant rocket fire continues across much of the country; earlier today, the city of Ashkelon reported direct hits to property, where two people were lightly injured. Five buildings in Sderot were also hit. Rockets have also been reportedly launched by Hamas drones. Early this evening, sirens sounded across northern Israel as Israeli airspace was breached. 

 

For a fourth straight day, millions of Israelis ran to shelters as sirens blared. Schools and most businesses remained shuttered across the country. A large area around the Gaza Strip has been declared a closed military zone, to which entry by civilians is prohibited. See map here

 

In another sign of unity, members of the anti-judicial reforms protests movements have joined their IDF units, while others have organized and are collecting food, clothing, and other materials for soldiers as well as for the victims of the attacks. 

 

Israeli Response

At least 360,000 soldiers have been called up, thus boosting security in all areas of the country in preparation for a potential ground invasion of Gaza. See here for video footage of the IDF Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi visiting troops who are readying for battle. 

 

The IDF has already carried out strikes against more than 2,650 targets across the Gaza Strip since fighting began. Some 1,300 of those targets are multi-story buildings containing Hamas assets, including war rooms where the terror group manages the fighting against Israel. Overnight, the military hit the home of relatives of Mohammad Deif, the Hamas military commander, in Khan Younis, killing the commander’s brother and other family members. See footage here of overnight air attacks and here for the Israeli Navy’s attacks. 

 

According to Hamas sources, some 900 Palestinians – most of them Hamas militants – have been killed in Israeli strikes, in addition to the 1,500 terrorists killed during the initial invasion into Israel on Saturday. According to the UN, 260,000 Gazans have been internally displaced due to the fighting.

 

Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, the Israel Air Force’s chief of staff, earlier today said, “We are attacking the Gaza Strip on an unprecedented scale, because what happened here is something that has never happened before. There is an enemy here firing rockets, raiding a civilian population. We are never going back to that…. We do not act like the other side; we do not attack the civilian population. Behind every attack (of ours) there is a (Hamas) target.”  

 

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Hamas’ supply of fuel has now run out and the entire Strip is without regular electricity. 

 

In the country’s north, additional attacks have stoked fears of a second-front opening, this time between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Yesterday, some 15 rockets were fired into Israel from Lebanon. Earlier today, the IDF carried out a drone strike against a Hezbollah post in southern Lebanon in response to an anti-tank guided missile attack on an Israeli military post on the border. The IDF also launched artillery strikes against the source of the rocket fire. Last night, rockets were launched from terror forces in Syria towards the Golan Heights. See here for details on the threat of a multi-front war. Haifa’s Rambam Hospital, in preparation for possible conflict in the north, has opened its three-level, fortified, underground hospital wards. Other hospitals are following suit. 

 

Israel’s Minister of Interior announced today that nationwide municipal elections scheduled for October 31 will be delayed by three months due to the war. 

 

International Response

In a live address, US President Joe Biden pledged his country’s unwavering support for Israel, saying, “There are moments in this life, when pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world…This is what they mean by human tragedy, an atrocity at an unprecedented scale. It brings to mind the worse rampages of ISIS… Sadly, for the Jewish people it’s not new. This attack has brought to the surface painful memories, scars left by a millennium of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people…. In this moment, we must be crystal clear, we stand with Israel.”  

 

Biden also announced that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would visit Israel tomorrow in an act of solidarity. Yesterday evening, a plane carrying advanced armaments from the US landed at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel. This move will facilitate significant military operations and increase preparedness for other scenarios. It has also been confirmed that the US is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean, in addition to the USS Gerald Ford and its accompanying fleet of warships and missile ships. See here for a piece on the importance of the US naval support for Israel. 

 

Also yesterday, the leaders of the world’s leading democracies, US, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy issued a joint statement condemning the attacks on Israel by Hamas and expressed their “steadfast and united support” for Israel. “Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region,” said the statement by US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. 

 

Federation Partners on the Ground

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel 

The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for the Victims of Terror has received a $5 million donation from the Breakthrough Foundations established by Israeli philanthropists Julia and Yuri Milner, representing the largest-ever single gift to the Fund. The Fund provides $1,200 grants in the immediate aftermath of an event with victims eligible for long-term rehabilitation grants of up to $6,300 later on. 

 

To date, 70 emergency financial aid grants have been distributed and staff have started to visit the evacuated communities in order to assess needs. In the coming days, each such community will be assigned a VOT liaison. 

 

Nearly 1,500 olim have been evacuated from Jewish Agency absorption centers in the south to safer locations elsewhere in Israel. Approximately 30% of Aliyah candidates (outside of Israel) have cancelled or paused their Aliyah process. 

 

Yesterday, 11 elderly Amigour residents were evacuated to the Dead Sea. Tomorrow, in accordance with a governmental request, another 50 will be relocated to Arad. Also, 2,500 food baskets will be distributed to Amigour residents with the help of volunteers.  

 

More than 5,700 Masa Israel Journey Fellows are currently in Israel, and a small number have decided to return home. Those in programs in the South have been relocated to safer locations elsewhere in Israel. Masa is actively connecting Fellows in need of professional support with numerous mental health experts proficient in various languages. Some 40 Fellows are in the process of making Aliyah. 

 

Jewish Agency Shlichim are helping to organize events in their communities, while several who have lost family members or friends have asked to share their stories in their communities before returning home. 

 

The Jewish Agency is collecting videos and other materials about its activities on the ground, which can be accessed here

 

World ORT 

Yesterday, an update briefing by World ORT on Zoom was hacked by anti-Israel activists, forcing the organizers to end it abruptly. The call was rescheduled for earlier today. 

 

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) is hosting daily webinars sponsored by Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency. A rotating team of top analysts of Israeli military affairs, the US-Israel relationship, Israel’s political system and the country’s diverse society, will speak every Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 - 11:30 am ET by Zoom. Join here

 

Jewish Federations issued a statement on the current fighting. 

 

Our Israel Office, having activated emergency protocols, is working closely with our partners on the ground and is close contact with the Government of Israel and the IDF. We will continue to update as the situation develops. 

Donations to the Jewish Federations emergency fund can be made here.

Update: October 10, 2023

Dear Friends,

 

We wish we had good news to share today, but that's sadly not the case.

 

The latest reports indicate that at least 900 Israelis have so far lost their lives to this senseless violence in addition to more than 2,600 wounded and over 150 hostages. Unfathomable!

 

This is the greatest threat the State of Israel has ever experienced with an impact many have compared to our own Pearl Harbor. 

KEY POINTS

  • 5,000 rockets fired at Israel
  • The IDF does not currently regard the situation as a multi-front conflict despite skirmishes in the North
  • The IDF has stated that they have sufficient supplies. There are some temporary delays in distribution, but are asking that people not send in supplies
  • Some terrorists may still be at large despite Israeli retaking control of territory and border fence
  • Israeli media are reporting that all of the major political parties are close to an agreement for a broad emergency national coalition government.
  • This morning, Israeli President Herzog met with JFNA's CEO, Eric Fingerhut, and thanked "the North American Jewish community for standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel in its hour of need."

On Day 4 of Israel’s war with Hamas the casualty rate has again risen significantly. 

 

We are receiving so many heartfelt messages from community members asking how they can help. There are two very important ways you can do so...

 

Tonight at 7:00 PM, the Tampa Bay Jewish community will hold a solidarity gathering in support of Israel at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC. Registration is required. Please use the following link to sign up:

 

Register Here

 

Secondly, the State of Israel is in desperate need of humanitarian aid. Please consider donating to the Israeli relief fund by using the following link. Money raised will be used for humanitarian support efforts only.

 

Click Here to Support Israel Today

 

We hope to see you at the Solidarity Gathering tonight. Please keep Israel and its people in your thoughts and prayers.

Update: October 8, 2023

Dear Friends,

 

Israel has been under attack since yesterday morning following a surprise assault from Gaza, the widest-scale attacks in years. Hamas launched a war with Israel that has quickly become the most serious security breach since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. Already, hundreds of Israelis have been killed and thousands injured, while Hamas made incursions into Israeli border communities and has kidnapped dozens of citizens. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel at war, and launched "Operation Swords of Iron" to defend it.

 

The Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast and Jewish Federations of North America stand in total and complete solidarity with Israel, which has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens.

 

Jewish Federations released the following statement:

 

Once again, on a holy day of the Jewish calendar, the people of Israel have come under attack. Once again, the brave military forces of the State of Israel are responding and will defend our beloved Jewish state. And once again the Jewish communities of North America stand in total and complete solidarity with our Israeli brethren. We pray for their safety and will do everything we can to ensure the complete and total success of their efforts. And once again the Jewish Federation across North America will act immediately and comprehensively to support our brothers and sisters as they defend Israel.

 

The prayer for the State of Israel we recite in synagogue every week - says ונתת שלום בארץ ושמחת עולם ליושביה - “Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” We’ve just celebrated the holiday of Simchat Torah - we literally sing and dance with simcha - with happiness. But this year it was not a day of simcha in Israel, but it was a day of solidarity, determination and utmost seriousness. 

 

JFNA is in close contact with our partners on the ground, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, as they prepare to provide the critical care and support to those affected. An emergency fundraising effort has launched. Donations to the Jewish Federations emergency fund can be made here.

 

We continue to pray for the peace of the victims and all citizens of Israel. While this war may feel far away for many of us, there are many members of our Gulf Coast community who have family and dear friends who have been called up for IDF service, barricaded in their homes, and even kidnapped. We join together to surround them with love, support, and wishes for a quick recovery for the wounded and a swift turnaround of the situation. Together we will endure. 

Update: July 24, 2023

In response to the Knesset’s vote earlier today on the Reasonableness Law, Jewish Federations of North America issued the following statement:


“The Jewish Federations of North America are deeply pained over the growing polarization we have witnessed in Israeli society as a result of the judicial reform process. We are also extremely disappointed that the leaders of the coalition moved ahead with a major element of the reforms without a process of consensus, despite the serious disagreements across Israeli society and the efforts of President Herzog to arrive at a compromise.

Our everlasting love for and commitment to the Jewish State and people of Israel transcend any policy or government action. It is clear that the work of building our Jewish State continues, and the Jewish Federation system renews and affirms its commitment to this work. We will continue to support the organizations and individuals who are helping to unite Israelis and to build the institutions of civil society that will allow the diverse populations of Israel and global Jewry to live together in peace and harmony and to resolve our differences respectfully.

We urge the coalition leaders to suspend any further unilateral changes to the judicial reforms, and urge all parties to return to negotiations under the auspices of President Herzog.”
 

We'll continue the conversation on tomorrow's webinar at 12PM ET. Register now.


Julie Platt, Chair, Board of Trustees
Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO

Update: July 23, 2023

 
 
 
 
 
Dear Friends, 
 
Like everyone who loves and cares about Israel, we are following the news from our Jewish State today with great concern and anxiety.  
 
We wish Prime Minister Netanyahu a complete and speedy recovery and pray that his newly installed pacemaker will provide the health benefits that his doctors seek. 
 
As a vote on the first piece of legislation that would change the balance of power between the government and the Supreme Court approaches, protests in Israel both for and against the legislation continue to grow. Efforts to seek compromise also continue, including a visit by our good friend President Herzog to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hospital room immediately upon his arrival back from his historic trip to the United States, and further meetings with Opposition Leaders Lapid and Gantz, as well as the notable involvement of Israel’s Histadrut Labor Federation. We of course hope for and encourage these efforts at compromise as the very best possible outcome for the country. 
 
Whether compromise is achieved on this bill or not, the divisions in Israeli society caused by this bitter debate are deep. Even as we approach Tisha B’av, the day on which we commemorate the destruction of the Temples and the loss of Jewish sovereignty for two millennia, it is apparent that the work of building a flourishing Jewish State, to which Jewish Federations are committed, is not done. Israelis with whom we have worked for years – and who have always helped us put Israel’s political debates in perspective – have been issuing dire warnings. The rhetoric that some Israeli officials are directing at segments of society that disagree with their positions is growing harsher and, God forbid, the unity of the IDF is even at risk. This contentious behavior is seeping into our own communities, and we know it would be even worse if our Federations weren’t making constant efforts to bridge the gaps and keep us all working together. 
 
All of us in the Jewish Federation system will devote the necessary efforts and resources to helping Israel build the social, legal and political structures that can bind the wounds of the past few months and engender the widespread support and respect needed to solve the most vexing issues the country faces. Many of these efforts are already underway, including support for organizations such as the Jewish People’s Policy Institute, the Israel Democracy Institute, our own iRep coalition on religious pluralism, and support for LGBTQ organizations in Israel, as well as many other important efforts of individual Federations. We will all work together to develop additional steps we can take to help build Israel’s civil society.
 
It is important to emphasize that our efforts to date on judicial reform have not been in vain. Every conversation, every meeting, every fly-in, has had an impact. This week’s Knesset session – whatever happens – is but one moment in a long-term struggle that will play out over many years. 
 
Nevertheless, the stakes this week go far beyond the particulars of the bill under consideration, and all sides know it. To the governing coalition, the failure to pass this bill would be a major setback. To the opposition, the passage of even a minor bill on the topic of judicial reform would embolden the government to take further steps in the same manner.
 
Yet the particulars do matter. It is difficult to provide a succinct summary of the legislation under consideration and why it has engendered such strong feelings because the details are complicated and because concerns about the bill must be understood in the context of Israel’s system of government, which does not readily translate to our own systems in the United States and Canada. We will delve more deeply into this subject at a webinar this Tuesday whether the bill has passed or not at 12PM ET. In the webinar, we will also consider the impact of President Herzog’s visit to Washington D.C. and New York.
 
Jewish tradition holds that the age of prophecy ended with Malachi. There are several explanations given throughout Jewish texts for this, but the one that resonates with us today was offered by Rabbi Hayyim Angel: “No longer having prophets to tell us what God wants of us enabled mature human participation in the natural covenant between God and humanity.”
 
We are in the Three Weeks of mourning stretching from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’av. In a remarkable coincidence, the seven and one half year long cycle of studying a page a day of Talmud – daf yomi – focused during these Three Weeks on the destruction of the Temple, and especially on the opinion of the sages that the Temple was destroyed because of divisions within the Jewish people. In yet another coincidence, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed a Joint Session of the United States Congress on Rosh Chodesh Av – the first day of the month of Av, the beginning of the intense Nine Days from the first to the ninth of Av. We may not have prophets, but our history, our sages and even our Jewish calendar are screaming at us, trying to get our attention.
 
We still have time for “mature human participation in the covenant,” but the harm that has been caused is real and will require serious efforts at repair. President Herzog has led the call for dialogue and civility. His trip to the United States was a triumph of leadership and diplomacy. We must do everything we can to bolster his resolve and help him carry this burden. We must also use all the considerable influence of the North American Jewish community to insist that all sides in Israel take a step back from their extreme positions and return to negotiations. 
 
In the Talmud, Rabbis Akiva and Tarfon famously debate the relative merits of study and action. Rabbi Akiva wins the argument by concluding that study is greater because it leads to action. We must learn the lessons of our Torah and our history and, as Rabbi Akiva taught, turn those lessons into action. Join us on Tuesday at 12PM ET as we continue to study and consider our role in this important moment.
 
 
Julie Platt, Chair, Board of Trustees
Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO

Update: July 14, 2023

 
Dear Colleagues:
I know we are all receiving inquiries – and have our own concerns – about the renewal of the judicial reform legislative activity in the Knesset, and the growing divisions in Israeli society around this important issue. I wanted to send a brief update, with more to come after Shabbat.


We should be rightfully proud of the efforts of our Federation system during the weeks and months leading up to suspension of the legislative activity in March and the inception of negotiations under the auspices of President Herzog. We have continued to support President Herzog’s calls for negotiations even as the talks faltered and were ultimately suspended.


Next week promises to be yet another pivotal moment. Even as the relevant committee in the Knesset continues to prepare the first part of the judicial reform legislative package for a final vote in the Knesset, which could occur as early as the week after next, President Herzog will be traveling to Washington DC where he will meet with President Biden on Tuesday and address a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday. He will then travel to New York City where he will be hosted for a community reception by our own UJA-Federation of New York.


As we have consulted with Israeli experts and domestic partners, our view is that we should focus our attention this week on President Herzog’s visit. We have three goals: (1) to celebrate the continued strong bond between the United States and Israel as demonstrated by the powerful symbolism of President Herzog visiting the White House and addressing Congress, (2) to thank President Herzog for his courageous leadership in seeking to bridge the gulfs that have opened in Israeli society, and (3) to arm President Herzog with the strongest possible message of concern that he can deliver to the government when he returns to Israel.


Fortunately, many Federation leaders are participating in President Herzog’s visit thanks to invitations from their congressional representatives and from our colleagues at UJA-Federation. In addition to all our personal contacts with the President, we are working on other ways our Federation system can speak clearly to him while he is in the United States.

 

In the meantime, our Israel office will continue to update the relevant resource materials and send bulletins as needed. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with your thoughts, comments, questions or requests for assistance.


Thank you for all you do for our community. Together we will continue to make our meaningful contributions to the flourishing of our beloved State of Israel and the Jewish people around the world. 


Shabbat shalom umevorach,

Eric Fnigerhut

 

2022

Update: May 14, 2023

Dear Friends,
 
An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) took effect at 10:00pm Israel Time on Saturday night. So far, it seems to be holding. Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said, "Quiet will be answered with quiet. (But) if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will continue to do everything it needs to do in order to defend itself.”
 
As of Sunday morning, many Home Front Command restrictions in Israel have been lifted.  Life was beginning to return to normal, although schools remained closed in the area close to the Gazan border.
 
Over the course of five days of fighting, more than 1,200 rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza. At least 220 of these failed to cross into Israel; they landed in Palestinian territory. While many of the rockets that did cross into Israel landed in unpopulated areas, Israel’s Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system successfully shot down 373 rockets – accounting for more than 91% of those headed towards civilian population centers. (See here for dramatic photos of Iron Dome knocking a PIJ rocket from the sky).
Despite the high success rates for Iron Dome, a number of rockets did strike their intended targets, hitting numerous buildings and killing two people (an elderly Israeli woman in Rehovot an  a Palestinian laborer working in Israel’s south). At least 69 civilians have also been wounded in Israel. Twenty-seven of those people suffered physical injuries--one of them seriously and four of them moderately--from shrapnel and broken glass as a result of rocket impacts. See here for a graph of rocket fire.
In response, Israel struck 371 PIJ terror targets in Gaza, killing six significant Islamic Jihad leaders. A seventh senior leader who was targeted, Muhammed Abu al-Ata, managed to escape an airstrike, and has since operated from within a Gazan hospital. (See here for more on PIJ activities inside population centers). According to the IDF, Israel has killed 18 Islamic Jihad operatives, and sadly, at least 10 Palestinian civilians.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that the death toll is 33, but this number includes Gazans who were killed by Islamic Jihad rockets that landed inside the Strip. (See here for an infographic on rockets falling short of the border.) Israel has repeatedly stated that it does everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties. Israeli leaders have expressed profound regret at the loss of life.
              
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reiterated the US administration’s “enduring commitment to Israel’s security,” and “strongly condemned the indiscriminate launch of rockets into Israel from Gaza-based terrorist groups, which endangers the welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
 
See here for an analysis piece by The Jerusalem Post's Herb Keinon on how the routine nature of the Gaza-Israel rounds of conflict “is both a problem and a source of comfort,” for Israelis.
 
Jewish Federations’ partners, including The Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are addressing needs on the ground. Earlier today, Jewish Federation representatives accompanied Jewish Agency officials on a visit of the building that was struck in Rehovot. We remain in close contact with the Israeli government, our partners, and others to monitor the situation. We will continue to update as needed.
 
Rebecca Caspi
Senior Vice President Israel and Overseas
Director General, Israel Office

Update: May 12, 2023

 

 

Dear Friends,
 
Despite the optimism in yesterday morning's update that a ceasefire was likely, within a few hours Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired multiple barrages of rockets at Israeli population centers, killing one civilian in the city of Rehovot and injuring others. The rocket attacks continued for a number of hours.  While overnight only sporadic rocket-fire took place, a number of launches remain underway at the time of writing. There is wide-spread speculation that this may be a final volley before a formal ceasefire begins.
 
In the early evening hours yesterday, a particularly intense round of rocket fire from Gaza caused millions of Israelis to run to shelters, including in major cities in the country’s center, such as Tel Aviv and Rishon Letzion. In an apparent malfunction of the Iron Dome defense system (see details here), one rocket hit an apartment building in the city of Rehovot that did not have its own shelters. One person was killed, nine others were injured, and the building suffered major damage. See further details here and here.
 
So far, more than 880 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza during Operation Shield and Arrow, now entering its fourth day. Of these, some 672 crossed the border from Palestinian territories into Israel, with the rest falling short, or landing in the sea. Iron Dome has been activated 260 times, and has had a 91% success rate during the current operation. See here for a PIJ-produced video of a rocket being launched. 12 Israelis have been wounded as a result of the rocket fire and thousands more are suffering from various forms of trauma. Millions have had their lives interrupted. See here for an article about one family’s life under fire.
 
Meanwhile the IDF continued to strike PIJ military targets, and says that the terrorist organization has suffered a major blow, including losing many of its top commanders. In total, 170 terror targets have been hit. See here for a video of the IDF striking a PIJ military post and here for footage of a strike on a mobile rocket launcher. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza says that 31 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since fighting began. According to the IDF, at least four Palestinians have been killed, including children, as a result of failed rocket launches from Gaza. See further details here.
 
According to media reports, strong efforts are still underway to finalize a formal ceasefire, under Egyptian mediation. In an indication of the country’s willingness to de-escalate, Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that “quiet will be met with quiet.” See more here.
 
Jewish Federations’ partners, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are addressing needs on the ground. The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror is providing immediate financial support to families whose homes were directly hit by rocket fire and is helping them with urgent needs. In addition to aid provided by the Government of Israel, the fund also grants supplementary aid to families affected by rocket fire, assists with rehabilitation needs, and addresses the needs of children and families dealing with post-traumatic stress. The Fund, which operates thanks to donations from Jewish Federations and others, was established 20 years ago and to date has supported 9,000 families affected by terrorist incidents and rocket fire, with grants totaling $20 million. Since the beginning of this year, the Fund has awarded grants to the residents of the Gaza border and victims of terror attacks totaling $220,000, and has also run special camps for approximately 350 children and teenagers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
 
The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), another Federation partner, reports that close to 60% of residents living near the Gaza border have temporarily left their homes and are staying in areas further away from the conflict. ITC says the number of calls to trauma help lines have more than doubled in recent days, with the city of Sderot seeing the highest number of calls, by far. ITC says that the majority of the calls come from parents looking for advice as to how to calm their children. Due to the security situation, most trauma care is taking place over Zoom, but professionals visit homes in person where rockets have fallen within close proximity.
 
Jewish Federations of North America remain in close contact with the Israeli government, our partners, and others to monitor the situation. We will continue to update as needed.
 
Meanwhile, we are hoping for a quiet weekend here in Israel, and wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.
 
 
Rebecca Caspi
Senior Vice President Israel and Overseas
Director General, Israel Office

Update: March 27, 2023

 

 

Jewish Organizations Welcome Suspension of Judicial Overhaul Legislation
In response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he would delay a vote on judicial reforms in order to seek compromise, the Jewish Federations of North America released the following statement alongside the Conference of Presidents, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee.
“We welcome the Israeli government’s suspension of legislative consideration of judicial reform measures.
“The last three months have been painful to watch and yet a textbook case of democracy in action. We respect the political leaders, business executives, community activists, cultural figures, and ordinary Israelis who took to the streets, exercising their love of country, and their passion for democracy.
“As a next step, we encourage all Knesset factions, coalition and opposition alike, to use this time to build a consensus that includes the broad support of Israeli civil society.
“Israel’s political leaders must insist on a more respectful tone and debate. A hallmark of democracy is public consensus and mutual consideration.
“The Conference of Presidents, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Jewish Federations of North America will continue to confer with Israel’s governmental and civic leaders to ensure that the views of American Jewry are represented in the discussion. We are confident the resilience of Israeli democracy will successfully overcome the tremendous challenges it faces.”

Update: February 1, 2022

Jewish Federations strongly condemn Amnesty’s "apartheid" report
Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric Fingerhut released the following statement regarding Amnesty International UK's report on Israel:

"Jewish Federations strongly condemn Amnesty International UK’s report that promulgates false claims against the Jewish state, irresponsibly distorts international law, and advances hateful and disparaging rhetoric associated with age-old antisemitic tropes, while ignoring or whitewashing violence, terror and incitement committed by Palestinians.

"This report is the latest in a litany of anti-Israel propaganda that has contributed to a rise in hate crimes against Jewish communities around the world and continues to embolden extremist currents that threaten all minority groups.

"Jewish Federations call upon the human rights community to condemn this disparaging and falsely painted report and stand up for truth and justice."

2021

Update: May 20, 2021

 

Colleagues,

I want to be sure you are kept up to date with the flow of information and tools from JFNA about the situation in Israel.  Please feel free to share this social post on facebook.  Our colleagues in Israel have shared the latest from Israel, which you can see here.  Additional resources are constantly being updated and can be found here.  

Thank you,
Mandy

Mandy Kaiser-Blueth
Director, Professional and Community Outreach
National Women’s Philanthropy, JFNA
C: 917-887-1601
E: mandy.kaiser-blueth@jewishfederatons.org 

 

Update: May 19, 2021

Dear Friends,

Please see this comprehensive update on what is happening in Israel at the moment, prepared by our Israel office, including links to videos and other information.

Feel free to share this update, and these additional related materials, with your community.

Best wishes,
Rebecca

Rebecca Caspi
Director General, Israel Office
Senior Vice President, Israel and Overseas

Update: May 14, 2021

Dear Friends,

Once again, it’s been a day and night of ongoing violence in Israel, with massive onslaughts of rockets from Gaza on the country’s major population centers.

As we go into Shabbat, followed by Shavuot here in Israel, I am sending you now a shorter-than-usual update of the main events currently taking place.

You can view today's update as well as recent materials including webinar recordings in our Israel Crisis 2021 resource roundup here.

Wishing everyone a quiet Shabbat and Shavuot, and praying for peace,
Rebecca

Rebecca Caspi
Director General, Israel Office
Senior Vice President, Israel and Overseas

Update: May 13, 2021

Dear Friends,

As the third day of fighting in Israel continues, JFNA’s Israel office has once again prepared this update and background on the latest of what is going on. Please feel free to share.

As always, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will send further updates as needed.

I’d also like to remind you of a webinar we are holding today:

 

Today, Thursday, May 13 from 12:00 - 12:30PM Eastern
Join former Member of Knesset and expert in international law, Michal Cotler-Wunsh as she addresses the questions "What are the causes behind the current flare-up of violence in Israel? What's really going on in Jerusalem and Gaza?"

REGISTER HERE

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Hoping for quieter times,

Rebecca

Rebecca Caspi
Director General, Israel Office
Senior Vice President, Israel and Overseas

Update: May 10, 2021

 

Dear Friends,

As many of you will have seen, there has been considerable violence taking place in Jerusalem in recent days, and JFNA’s Israel office has prepared this update and background on what has occurred.

 

As always, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will send further updates as needed.

 

 

Here’s hoping for quieter times,
Rebecca

 

 

Rebecca Caspi
Director General,
Israel Office Senior Vice President, Israel and Overseas