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Building Back Stronger: The Israel Resilience Fund

The Saint Paul Jewish Federation is committed to supporting our brothers and sisters in Israel through direct allocations to non-governmental organizations (NGO) in our partnership region, Sovev Kinneret. Your donation will provide funding to organizations providing critical services from assisting older Jewish adults, to funding community youth centers, and ensuring food access.

Funds are distributed through an open grant process in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel and overseen by an St. Paul Federation Overseas Allocation Committee.

DETAILED ALLOCATIONS REPORT

Partner Agencies Receiving Funding:

 

  • JAFI's Fund for Victims of Terror: JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) supports families and individuals affected by terror with housing, bills, food, medical supplies, and more. They also ensure the safety of Olim (new immigrants) in multiple centers, assist residents of Amigour senior housing, and support Masa participants and at-risk youth.
  • JDC (Joint Distribution Committee): JDC assists those directly in the line of fire, including the elderly, people with disabilities, at-risk children and families, and vulnerable populations.
  • Israel Trauma Coalition: The Israel Trauma Coalition collaborates closely with the IDF's Home Front Command and local authorities to address immediate psychosocial needs, offering critical support to those affected by trauma.
  • United Hatzalah: United Hatzalah is a renowned volunteer-based emergency medical service organization known for its rapid response and critical care services.
  • Magen David Adom: Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical service, providing ambulance, blood, and first-aid services.
  • ZAKA: ZAKA is a volunteer-based organization specializing in search, rescue, and recovery efforts, particularly in the aftermath of tragic events.
  • Barzilai Medical Center: Barzilai Medical Center plays a crucial role in providing medical care and support to those affected by the conflict.
  • Soroka Medical Center: Soroka Medical Center is another esteemed medical institution offering vital healthcare services during this crisis.
     

Your donation goes directly to fulfilling the critical needs outlined above. To ensure that the maximum amount can support these needs, consider covering the credit card fee!

PLEASE GIVE TODAY

ISRAEL UPDATES FROM JFNA

UPDATE 1/2/24

January 2, 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 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
As a result of the war, Egypt faces growing crises
What will happen to Gaza once the war is over?

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 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 11/9/23

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.

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.

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

Israel fights back despite its government, and wonders how much time the IDF has
Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman: This is what Israel should do in Gaza
The IDF’s war on Hamas is going better than it expected… for now

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.
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 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 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 10/7/23

October 7, 2023

KEY POINTS

This morning, Hamas launched a war with Israel that has quickly become the most serious security breach since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. Already, dozens of Israelis have been killed and hundreds hospitalized, while Hamas made incursions into Israeli border communities and has kidnapped citizens.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel at war, and launched "Operation Swords of Iron" to defend it.
Jewish Federations stand in total and complete solidarity with Israel, which has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens.

We are 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. We have opened an emergency fund to support these efforts.

Israel has been under attack since 6:30 this morning following a surprise assault from Gaza, which is one of the widest-scale attacks in years.

The IDF has confirmed 100 dead and over 800 injured. Terrorists continue to hold hostages in several locations and the IDF has not yet regained control in all the communities on the Gaze border.
In response, 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 - including this morning - says ונתת שלום בארץ ושמחת עולם ליושביה - “Grant peace in the land and happiness to all its residents.” On this day, which is the holiday of Simchat Torah in Israel - we literally sing and dance with simcha - with happiness. Today is not a day of simcha in Israel, but it is a day of solidarity, determination and utmost seriousness.

Jewish Federations President & CEO Eric Fingerhut is currently in Israel and shared this statement.

An emergency fundraising effort has launched. Donations to the Israel Emergency Fund can be made here.


What We Know

Early this morning, armed gunmen crossed into Israel in several locations, infiltrating communities along the Gaza border.

Additional breeches by sea and air (hang-glider) were reported. Gunfights continue in multiple places and there are still several active hostage situations which have yet to be resolved.

In a coordinated effort, terrorists have fired nearly 2,500 rockets into Israel with multiple strikes reported amidst intensive deployment of Israel’s Iron Dome system. Rockets were launched into cities in the center including Tel Aviv, the South, and Jerusalem.

The leader of Hamas’s military wing, Muhammad Deif, announced that operation "Al Aqsa Torrent" is in retaliation for the "desecration of the Al Aqsa Mosque" by Jews in recent days (referring to the fact that Jews were allowed to visit Temple Mount for Sukkot).

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the Security Cabinet after announcing, “We are at war,” in a televised statement. They have been meeting for several hours and the full Cabinet will meet later this afternoon. A special state of emergency has been declared across southern Israel.

Israel launched Operation Swords of Iron in response and tens of thousands of reserve troops are being called up for service. Large numbers of ground troops were rushed to the region and are fighting along with police forces, communal security teams and armed Israeli civilians. Special forces are fighting inside kibbutzim and have killed a number of terrorists, but the situation is ongoing.

In response, dozens of IDF fighter jets struck Hamas terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including 17 military compounds and 4 operational command centers. Hospitals in southern and central Israel are operating in emergency mode and treating large numbers of casualties. Magen David Adom issued an urgent call for blood and there is a long line of people waiting to donate at a hospital in central Tel Aviv

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit have called on all civilians to follow the life-saving instructions of Israel’s Home Front Command and radio and television stations are broadcasting alerts by location to help keep people updated as they shelter in place.

President Isaac Herzog tweeted this message a little while ago:

“Today we saw the true face of Hamas. A terrorist army whose only goal is the cold-blooded murder of innocent men, women, and children," he said. "Supported and directed by their proxy commanders in Iran, they carried out an unprovoked, heinous attack against the Jewish state on a Jewish holy day. Innocent civilians were massacred and wounded, and many are still under attack.”

According to the Prime Minister's office,

"US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized that the US stands alongside Israel and fully supports Israel's right to self-defense. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked US President Biden for the unreserved support and made it clear that a forceful, prolonged campaign – which Israel will win – is necessary."

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reminded American citizens to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning.

Earlier today the heads of Israel’s opposition parties (excluding the Arab parties) issued this statement, expressing support for the operation.

Heidi Gantwerk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, shared the following message about the death of Ofir Libstein, the Mayor of Shaar Hanegev, the partner region of the San Diego Federation. Mayor Libstein was killed in a firefight with terrorists earlier today.

“Our San Diego Community is shocked and heartbroken at the situation in Shaar HaNegev, our partner region for more than 25 years. We were beyond devastated to learn of the death of Mayor Ofir Libstein in a gun battle this morning. Ofir was an outstanding friend to San Diego, and became a dear friend of mine. He visited us many times, becoming a member of our Federation family. He recently hosted more than 200 of us on our Community Trip and made every single person there feel special and welcome. He cared deeply about the relationship between San Diego and Sha’ar HaNegev, and he had countless ideas for strengthening the region, and deepening our partnership. On my first trip to Sha’ar Hanegev I stayed in his home and he and his wonderful wife and children made me feel like family. Working with him never felt like work. It was one of my greatest joys as CEO. Our hearts go out to his family and to the entire region.”

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following briefing points:

The terrorist organization Hamas launched an extensive attack on the citizens of Israel, through widespread and indiscriminate firing of missiles and rockets at the citizens of Israel from the south to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, infiltration of terrorists into the southern towns and villages and attempts to murder families and individuals on their way to synagogues.

This is an initiated attack by terrorist organizations led by Hamas, without any pretext or prior action on the part of Israel. Moreover, this attack comes after a long period in which Israel is trying to bring calm to the Gaza Strip, through extensive efforts to improve the civilian situation in the Gaza Strip.

This attack proves once again, for those who still had a doubt, Hamas has no interest in the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Gaza Strip and sees them as nothing more than a pawns in its efforts to harm the citizens of Israel

Israel will act in any way necessary to protect its citizens, and will not shy from a broad operation in Gaza. Israel will exact the full price from the terrorist organizations, and is prepared to act as necessary until its goals are achieved. Hamas is the sovereign power in the Gaza Strip, standing behind this attack, and will bear the results and responsibility for the events.

The terrorist organization are a branch of the Ayatollah regime in Iran, which proactively promotes terrorist activity in Israel and against Israeli and Jewish targets all over the world.

The residents of the Gaza Strip are not enemies of Israel, but the terrorist organizations that operate knowingly and deliberately from within densely populated areas and adjacent to humanitarian buildings and institutions make cynical use of them. Israel does and will do everything possible to prevent harm to non-involved people, but the terrorist organizations knowingly operate from within the civilian population, committing double war crimes - indiscriminately shooting at civilians, while using the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.

Our Partners

Jewish Federations’ staff have been in close contact with The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Israel Trauma Coalition since early morning. Professional teams are responding and needs assessments are being developed.

What we can share with confidence at this point is that there will be significant calls for support for victims and their families, trauma assistance, as well as a range of other needs. Given the fluid nature of the situation and the continuing danger from terrorists in a number of locations, only preliminary information is available now.
See this message from Amira Ahronoviz,, Director General and CEO of The Jewish Agency, which was sent earlier today to members of the Board of Governors:

"I apologize in advance for writing to you on Shabbat, but we are facing a real emergency in Israel and a time of “pikuach nefesh”. Early this morning, terror organizations in Gaza launched a brutal attack on Israel on multiple fronts. Thousands of rockets have been fired into cities in the center, the South, and Jerusalem - while dozens of terrorists from Gaza infiltrated towns in the South of Israel and shot indiscriminately at innocent civilians.
During these hours, it is still unclear how long the fighting will last or how many casualties we will endure. Hundreds of people have been brought to hospitals and hundreds of homes and institutions have been hit - and the numbers continue to rise . The magnitude of this attack is unlike anything we’ve known, and a special state of emergency was declared from the South of the country to its center. An extensive mobilization of IDF reserves was called up, and the IDF and security forces are now constantly engaged in protecting the citizens of Israel and maintaining our security. They have officially launched Operation “Iron Swords” and we wish to strengthen and support them.

The Jewish Agency is part of the government’s emergency roundtable and is taking part in its efforts. Our organizational emergency roundtable met earlier today. We are first and foremost ensuring the safety of thousands of Olim in dozens of our Absorption Centers, caring for the thousands of residents in Amigour’s senior housing, in touch with the thousands of Masa participants, and participants in our Mechinot and youth villages .
While we are in the early stages of assessing the situation and the implications it will have in the coming days, all shelters in our facilities have been opened, and non-essential activity has been canceled in addition to an increase in security. Our Fund for Victims of Terror is following up with the recognized authorities to provide as much assistance that is needed already, and that will be needed going forward. It is clear that our Fund will need to provide more assistance than ever before in its history.

The Jewish Agency’s teams are at the center of our response and will continue to provide the necessary information to our beneficiaries, employees and all those in our care . We continue to pray for the peace of the victims and all citizens of Israel.

We will continue to update as the situations develops and will update formally after we have assessed the various needs .

With wishes for a quick recovery for the wounded and a swift turnaround of the situation, together we will endure."