Israel-Hamas War Fact Sheet

October 20, 2023

The Situation

  • On Saturday, October 7 Israel was struck by a massive, devastating attack by Hamas terrorists.
  • Since then, more than 5,000 rockets have been fired at Israel, with terrorist rockets continuing to target southern and central Israel.
  • In addition to the rockets, Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, invading more than 20 communities near the Gaza border and murdering residents, and taking more than 150 Israelis hostage.
  • More than 1,300 Israelis have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the brutal and unprecedented attacks.
  • The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is continuing retaliatory actions in the Gaza Strip, dubbing the campaign Operation Swords of Iron.
  • The IDF is completing preparation for what it calls a “significant ground operation” in Gaza.
  • Tensions at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorists continue, with periodic rocket attacks and terrorist incursions into the region.
  • Schools in Israel, along with many businesses, remain closed.

The Fellowship’s Response

The needs in war-torn areas are tremendous. The Fellowship is in close contact with its extensive network of staff, partner organizations, and volunteers in the region. Funds raised are going towards security, basic needs, psychological aid, and any other emergency needs as they arise.

  • Within 24 hours of the conflict starting, the Fellowship was on the ground providing aid.
  • The Fellowship’s initial focus is delivering aid to three populations hardest hit by this crisis:
    • Evacuees from war-torn areas, who were forced to leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs;
    • First responders and volunteers who are in need of medical equipment to treat the wounded as well as basic supplies like food and water; and
    • Elderly beneficiaries, families, and new olim (immigrants), who are in need of basics like food and water, medical and emergency equipment, and psychological counseling to deal with trauma.
  • The Fellowship is experiencing an overwhelming number of requests for aid. We are assessing overall needs, but focusing first on southern Israel, where need is most immediate.

On Sunday, October 15, The Fellowship announced the distribution of $5 million in aid that will go toward the initiatives below:

  • Security Support
    • The purchase of 1,000 flak jackets for use by security personnel
    • Transportation and installation of several dozen portable bomb shelters along the northern border and in the Galilee region
  • Emergency Needs Support
    • The transfer of $500,000 (with a matching commitment from the Israel Lottery Commission, for a total of $1 million) to communities on the Gaza border to address immediate critical needs such as food, medication, transportation, and therapy services
    • A grant of more than $375,000 to NETEL (Victims of Trauma from Terror Activities) to increase their support hotlines, which have seen a 6,000% jump in calls since the outbreak of the war
    • Mobilizing of The Fellowship’s Mobile Emergency Response Center, which provides an area for rescue and casualty identification teams and families to be able to rest and refresh, and be provided with food, drinks, snacks, access to electricity to charge phones, and other services
    • Positioning Fellowship mobile units throughout the country to distribute refreshments in areas with a high concentration of security and IDF forces
    • More than $500,000 (about $1,250 per family) will be distributed to families of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel that were injured in combat.
  • Evacuee Support
    • Distribution of 1,600 grants of about $1,250 each to families evacuated from the southern areas hardest-hit by the conflict
    • Distribution of 600 debit cards in the amount of $150 each to benefit families who have been evacuated from their homes
    • Moving children who had been evacuated to Ashkelon, Israel from the Ukraine to a safer location
    • Distribution of games and toys to families of children with special needs in Netivot
  • Food Distributions
    • Distribution of prepared meals in the southern town of Netivot by local welfare offices and the IDF Homefront Command
    • Distribution of food and prepared meals to soldiers serving on the northern border, in cooperation with the Beit Batya Soup Kitchen

How People Can Help/Support

  • Pray – We ask all people to pray – for the safety, protection, and comfort of Israel as she fights to defend herself.
  • Donate – If this is something that speaks to your heart, please donate safely today at www.ifcj.org. Any amount will provide lifesaving, emergency humanitarian support. This includes basic needs like food water and medicine as well as psychological aid, security support like providing bomb shelters in under-protected areas, and any other needs as they arise.
  • Learn More / Follow Us – Visit our website or follow us on social media to learn more about our work and the lifesaving aid we’re providing on the ground.
  • Speak Out – Speak out about these attacks. Speak out against the atrocities that Hamas committed against Israeli women, children and babies. Now, more than ever, is the time to stand with Israel.

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