By Heidi Gantwerk
SAN DIEGO — As we mark three months since the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent war, we wanted to provide you with the latest update:
First, Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Campaign has now raised a total of $768 million system-wide (San Diego has raised almost $8.65 million) 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:
1,300 Israelis have been killed. Of these: At least 35 were children. 520 were IDF soldiers (and of these, 188 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.
How You Can Help:
Join Jewish Federations’ Advocacy Fly-In to Washington DC January 30th and 31st to advocate for aid for Israel and other top communal priorities and to strengthen relationships with key decision-makers in Congress.
Raise awareness for the 136 hostages still being held in Hamas captivity by taking part in the #RidetoBringThemHomeNow on January 14th.
Read this op-ed by Colonel Richard Kemp, a 29-year veteran of the British Army, on the strident measures the IDF has taken to minimize civilian casualty in compliance with international law.
Watch and Share the story of 35-year-old Uriel Baruch, husband of Racheli 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 Supernova Music Festival on October 7th. 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.
Jewish Federation of San Diego remains committed to sharing timely, trusted information with our community. Israel updates are posted twice a week on our website here.
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Heidi Gantwerk is president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego.