The latest from the Jewish Federations of North America
War in Israel: Update on Current Situation
April 11, 2024
Past updates can be found here.
Join FBI Director Christopher Wray for a webinar, "Passover Without Fear: Preparedness & Security Considerations in Today’s World" on Wednesday, April 17 from 2-3:30 pm ET. Hosted by the Secure Community Network (SCN) and co-sponsored by Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the program will present a pre-Passover briefing on the threat environment and will furnish best practices to keep this Passover season safe, secure, and welcoming. To register click here.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities
Earlier today, the IDF launched a targeted operation against Hamas in the central Gaza Strip, on the outskirts of Nuseirat, an area where ground troops have not yet operated during the ground war. The air force carried out strikes against dozens of Hamas targets, including tunnel infrastructure, following intelligence indicating “the presence of terror infrastructure and many terrorists in the area.”
Yesterday, three of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s adult sons were killed in an air strike in Gaza. All three were senior Hamas operatives. Qatar-based Haniyeh said that the attack would not deter Hamas.
Hostages
Israel is still waiting for an official Hamas response to a proposal for a hostage deal and truce put forward by the US, together with Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Israel had previously accepted the agreement. US President Joe Biden said “It’s now up to Hamas. They need to move on the proposal that has been made so we get these hostages home where they belong.”
Meanwhile, Israel chief negotiator, Mossad chief David Barnea said that freeing all 133 captives and bodies in a single truce agreement would be impossible, and at best 40 people could be freed at this stage.
Humanitarian Aid
Israel has reiterated its promise to “flood Gaza with aid.” It will open a new land crossing into the Strip designed mainly to facilitate deliveries from overseas and from neighboring Jordan.
Israel has already been facilitating a large number of aid trucks entering Gaza. Over the past week, the number of trucks entering the Strip has broken records on an almost daily basis, with a new average of over 400 trucks bringing in supplies each day (and over 500 today).
Meanwhile, the US is working to have a maritime corridor up and running in the coming weeks, which will be able to bring in additional assistance. The new route will allow over 500 trucks daily of commercial and humanitarian help. Read: The American Pier in Gaza: An Opening to US-Israeli Cooperation in Gaza
Rockets
In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations.
The number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains negligible on most days, due to Hamas’ significantly diminished capabilities.
In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The US military also continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. Yesterday, the US military said that its forces had successfully engaged three unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships. US forces also destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen later on April 10.
International Response
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a call with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant yesterday, made clear that the United States will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran. According to media reports, the US will assist in defending Israel if it is attacked by Iran or by one of its proxies. Earlier, President Joe Biden pledged that US support for Israeli security is “ironclad.” Media reports have indicated that if an Iranian attack involves missiles and drones, American forces could help in downing them and that the US hasn’t ruled out launching a joint response with Israel if the Jewish state is attacked – directly or indirectly – by Iran.
In addition, Minister Gallant and Foreign Minister Israel Katz both warned that if Iran launched an attack from its soil then Israel would strike back inside Iran.
The recent elimination of a senior Iranian general in Syria is said to challenge Iran’s ability to stay out of the war. Read more here.
Over the last six months, Hamas has waged an information war as part of its strategy to defeat the Jewish State. Misinformation has played a significant role in the Israel-Hamas War by manipulating the Western World to stand with Hamas. Read more here.
Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope
Watch this Jewish Federations’ video of Ofer Baram, who dedicated his life to helping victims through The Jewish Agency for Israel's Fund for Victims of Terror. Ofer now finds himself as a recipient of that same aid after his son Aviv died defending their kibbutz on October 7th. Financial aid for this program is supported by Jewish Federations and has showed the lifesaving strength of our community.
Read the story of 47-year-old Elad Katzir, described as a man of the soil and a person of principles who lived his values as a farmer and social activist. A proud Zionist, Elad was the prime caretaker of his parents on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. On October 7, Elad and his parents were taking refuge in their shelter when terrorists infiltrated their home, killing Elad’s father and taking Elad and his mother Hanna captive. Hanna was released in the earlier hostage deal. Over the weekend, the IDF recovered Elad’s body from Gaza, bringing him home for proper burial. The IDF estimates that terrorists murdered Elad in January. His sister eulogized him, saying, “You had the biggest heart of anybody around you.”
Further Reading
Wall Street Journal op-ed on why Israel’s defeat of Hamas is vital to ensuring the future of Western democracy.
Jewish Federations Resources
Jewish Federations have collectively raised just shy of $800 million and allocated more than $400 million for humanitarian needs and economic support in Israel since October 7. For an updated list of allocations, click here. Read this JTA Jewish Federations story: “The man allocating $800M in post-Oct. 7 donations to Israel on where the money goes.”
Jewish Federations' Backgrounders:At-Risk Youth LGBQT CommunityYoung ChildrenVolunteersWomenPastoral GuidanceBedouin CommunitiesFood SecurityPeople with Disabilities
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.
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’ overview on the latest volunteering opportunities in Israel right now.Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.
For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations of North America’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org. Subscribe to this twice-weekly update here.