War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

April 1, 2024

Join Jewish Federations and the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2 at 1:30 pm ET to explore the impact of the ongoing war in Israel on the country's economy. Delve into the dramatic shifts in economic priorities prompted by the October 7 terrorist attack and subsequent conflict, as securing resources for the war effort and civilians' immediate needs, supporting essential industries, and maintaining basic infrastructure have become paramount. Gain valuable insights into Israel's recently passed wartime budget and its implications for national security and post-conflict stability. Speakers include:Prof. Karnit Flug, former Governor of the Bank of Israel and IDI’s Vice President of Research. Register here. Readers can also see the Bank of Israel’s new annual report, issued yesterday.

Jewish Federations are working with ReGrow, a project of Volcani International Partnerships and Mishkei Hanegev, to support the farming communities of the Western Negev. Federations are offering grants of up to $12.5 million to replace tractors and other equipment that Hamas terrorists destroyed and looted.

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) ACTIVITIES

• Over the weekend, terrorists shot an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) at a top-story apartment in a building in Khan Yuneis in the southern Gaza Strip where IDF soldiers were stationed. As a result of the explosion and ensuing collapse of some of the walls, a soldier was killed and sixteen were injured including six who are in serious condition.
• The IDF has now concluded its operations in and around the Shifa Hospital in Gaza; and is withdrawing forces from the hospital complex. After two weeks of fighting, dozens of terrorists have been killed and hundreds detained, including high-ranking members of both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, large quantities of weapons were discovered and confiscated in the hospital complex including pistols, rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and explosives. Weapons were even found hidden in beds and pillows in the maternity ward. Remarkably,
• 6,000 civilians were evacuated by the IDF to keep them safe.
• 200 Hamas terrorists were killed.
• 500 Hamas terrorists have been captured.
• And, incredibly, zero civilians were killed.
• Over the weekend, a terrorist stabbed and lightly wounded an IDF officer at the Beer Sheva Central Bus Station. The terrorist, who came from the nearby Bedouin city of Rahat, was shot and killed by another soldier who was on the scene. And yesterday, in a separate attack in a shopping mall in near Ashdod, three people were stabbed; they are all now in serious condition. The terrorist, a Palestinian who was working at one of the stores at the mall, was killed by a passing policeman.
• Earlier today, IDF forces arrested the sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tel Sheva on suspicion of having ties to Hamas and engaging in incitement and support for terror.
• A new survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute polled the public’s assessment of the performance of Israel’s political and military leadership since October 7. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi topped the rankings of positive performance (48%), followed by Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant (40%) and Minister Benny Gantz (34%). Only 28% ranked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s performance as positive, while 57% of respondents ranked it as “poor” or “very poor.” With tensions rising between the US administration and the Israeli government about the necessary next steps in the war, the survey also asked whether Israel should act on its own or in coordination with the US. Most Israelis think Israeli leaders should act on the basis of their own judgment, though there has been a slight increase among Jewish Israelis who favor coordination with the US, from 38% in January 2024 to 43% in the present survey. See the full results here.
• Every year before the spring holidays, Israel’s National Security Council publishes an assessment of the threat of terrorism for Israelis traveling abroad. See this year’s advisory.
• As the debate in Israel continues on the question of ultra-Orthodox conscription, a Real-Time Data Institute survey was published by Haredi news site Kikar HaShabbat, with surprising results. Among Ultra-Orthodox responders:
• 89% said it was essential for their children to live in Israel;
• 69% were proud to be Israeli;
• 63% were proud of the IDF;
• 63% said that haredim who are not involved in full-time Torah study should serve in the IDF;
• 55% said that secular Israelis feel animosity towards Haredim
• 15% said they felt animosity towards the secular public.
• Last night, hernia surgery was performed on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Netanyahu was under general anesthetisia, Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin served as Acting Prime Minister.

HUMANITARIAN AID

• Ships carrying 332 tons of food left Cyprus over the weekend, in a convoy that will reach Gaza in the coming days. The aid will be taken to the Strip on a cargo ship and a barge towed by a salvage vessel, along with a tugboat carrying a support team.
• This is the second shipment from Cyprus this month after Israel announced that it would allow all food aid into Gaza after screening for weapons. Cypriot and Israeli authorities have established a maritime corridor to facilitate pre-screened cargoes arriving directly in Gaza, which does not have any port facilities. The aid in the first mission (which included almost 200 tons of food) was unloaded at a makeshift jetty, that been constructed from rubble. The new convoy includes two forklifts and a crane to assist with future marine deliveries, as well as a team to operate the crane.
• The United States is currently working to construct a floating pier off Gaza to receive aid. The target for completion of the facility is May.
•  See the latest facts and figures on Israel’s humanitarian aid to Gaza here.



HOSTAGES

• Tens of thousands of Israelis protested on the streets of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other locations yesterday, pressing the government to do more, and to act with greater flexibility, in order to reach a deal that would see the release of the hostages. Many protestors also called on the Prime Minister and the government to accept responsibility for the war and to resign.
• A high level delegation from Hamas met with leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Iran on Friday. In a joint statement they said that they have agreed on four firm demands that must form the basis of any future hostage deal: A full withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza; a complete halt to fighting; the return of Palestinian evacuees to their homes; and humanitarian aid. 
• Despite this apparent intransigent position expressed by the terror organizations, the Heads of Shin Bet and Mossad are traveling separately to Cairo and Doha this week to continue talks on a possible deal. 

ROCKETS

• In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. Over the weekend, in a targeted attack in Tyre, Lebanon, Israel killed Ali Abd El-Hassan Na'im, Hezbollah's deputy commander of its Missiles and Rockets Unit.
• 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-back Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. Yesterday, a drone successfully struck a naval base in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, causing minor damage, but no injuries. It had been launched by pro-Iranian militia forces in Iraq. See analysis here.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

• On Friday, the Washington Post reported that despite apparent disagreements between the White House and Prime Minister Netanyahu, the United States recently agreed to quietly send a large shipment of weapons to Israel, worth billions of dollars, including 25 F-35 stealth fighter jets.
• Last week, Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant visited Washington, DC to coordinate the next steps in the Hamas-Israel war. The trip was aimed at discussing Israel’s military position and security needs:
• Minister Gallant met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and CIA chief William Burns. 
• Gallant arrived in Washington with a list of U.S. weapons and weapons systems Israel is asking to be expedited, along with the ability to purchase warplanes for a potential full-scale war with Hezbollah. 
• Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of improving the humanitarian situation and prioritizing civilian protection in Gaza even as he maintained the US position of ensuring that “Israel has what it needs to defend itself.” 
• After Prime Minister Netanyahu cancelled Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Council chairman Tzachi Hanegbi’s trip to Washington, Rafah became a focal point of Gallant’s meetings. 
• According to reports, discussions did not focus on stopping the operation, but rather on protecting civilians who are sheltering in Rafah, while still ensuring that Israel can dismantle the four remaining Hamas battalions in the enclave. Both sides agreed that Hamas cannot be allowed to rearm, and that defeating Hamas in Rafah is critical to ending the war. 
• National Security Council Communications Adviser John Kirby said the White House “just can’t support a major ground offensive in Rafah that doesn’t include an achievable, verifiable plan to look after the safety and security of the 1.5 million Gazans who have sought refuge there.” 
• Following the meetings, Gallant reported, “I think there is an understanding we have to dismantle Hamas.” 
• During the multi-day trip, U.S. and Israeli officials both reaffirmed the importance of the relationship between the two countries and the shared goals of Israel’s war against Hamas. 
• Also over the weekend, Prime Minister Netanyahu reached out to the White House to reschedule the meeting to discuss Israel's Rafah operation. 

STORIES OF HEARTBREAK, HEROISM AND HOPE

• Remembering Noya Dan on Autism Awareness Day- “It would have taken just a little humanity for Hamas to leave this girl and her grandmother alive, but the terrorists possessed no such humanity.”
• Read the story of 19-year-old Karina Ariev, a resident of Pisgat Ze’ev and the sister of Sasha and daughter of Albert and Ira. Described by her sister as “the sweetest person,” Karina has dreams to study either psychology or sociology so that she can help others. Karina was taken captive from Kibbutz Nahal Oz by Hamas terrorists on the morning of October 7. Three months later, Hamas published a propaganda video showing her bloodied and bruised face, with a look of horror in her eyes. “Ask people to pray for Karina bat Ira,” her sister pleaded. “Ask them to do whatever they can to help bring her home.”  

FURTHER READING

• Will Israel's government collapse due to the IDF haredi draft crisis?
• The Perils of Restraint in Israel’s National Security Behavior
• It’s Time for Haredi Jews to Become Part of Israel’s Story
• Debunking the Myth of the Muqawwamah (“Resistance”): The Strategic Significance of the Surrender of Hamas Terrorists
• Yale faculty: What We Learned on Our Academic Visit to Israel
• A Lesson from Yemen about the Dangers of a Ceasefire in Gaza

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 Community

Young Children

Volunteers

Women

Pastoral Guidance

Bedouin Communities

Food Security

People with Disabilities

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

Jewish Federations are launching a portfolio of high-level, strategic funding initiatives that are receiving significant support through the Jewish Federations Israel Emergency Response Committee and are opportunities for further funding by individual Federations and donors. The first initiatives are (1) Jewish Agency Shelter Renovations, (2) Jewish Federations Israel Emergency Loan Fund, and (3) Restoring Agriculture in the Western Negev. For recent articles on these initiatives see here and here. Please contact Evan Hochberg with any questions or requests for assistance.

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.

Read the latest communication from the Community Mobilization Center here.

The Jewish Federation has restocked their Blue Ribbons, which symbolize 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) while supplies last.