Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

April 6, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 38 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Four civilians killed by rocket fire targeting Haifa
• One IDF soldier fell in Lebanon
• Iranian intelligence chief eliminated
• A total of 36 soldiers and civilians have been killed in Israel since the war began

Missile and Rocket Fire

• An Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential building in Haifa overnight, causing the partial collapse of several floors and triggering a prolonged search-and-rescue operation. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of four victims from the rubble, while searches continued for two additional people reported missing. The strike also seriously wounded an 82‑year‑old man and injured several others, including a 78‑year‑old woman, a 38‑year‑old woman, and a 10‑month‑old baby. Authorities said the missile’s warhead did not detonate on impact, with the damage instead caused by the force of the strike itself; had it exploded, the destruction would likely have been far more extensive. The Haifa area was targeted again in subsequent salvos later in the night, causing additional damage and lightly injuring four more people.
• Over the past week, Israel continued to be targeted by missile and rocket fire across multiple regions, with the heaviest activity in the north and central areas. Hezbollah launched repeated large rocket barrages from Lebanon toward the Upper Galilee, Western Galilee and Haifa area, including salvos of more than 100 rockets in a single day. 
• In parallel, Iran fired several waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, including its largest salvo in weeks, with around 10 missiles launched toward central Israel and Jerusalem on April 1; most were intercepted, but impacts and interception debris caused damage and injuries in Rosh HaAyin, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak and nearby communities, including children wounded by shattered glass from a cluster‑munition warhead.
• An elderly woman in Tel Aviv was seriously injured after falling while rushing to a shelter during a missile attack. Magen David Adom said the 90‑year‑old woman was unconscious and in serious condition. The injury was classified as indirect and not caused by a direct missile impact. Medical teams treated her at the scene before hospitalizing her.
• In central Israel overnight, at least two people were wounded, including a 34‑year‑old woman in Petah Tikva who was seriously injured by missile fragments, while a man in his 30s was lightly hurt by glass shards in Tel Aviv. Magen David Adom confirmed the missile carried a cluster bomb warhead, dispersing bomblets over a wide area. Rescue forces responded to multiple impact sites across the center of the country.
• The Health Ministry reported that 163 people were taken to hospitals over the previous 24 hours due to the fighting with Iran and Hezbollah. One person was listed in serious condition, four in moderate condition, and 153 in good condition, with five treated for anxiety. Since the start of the war on February 28, a total of 7,035 people have been hospitalized, including civilians and soldiers, with 130 still receiving inpatient treatment. Some injuries were caused by falls while rushing to shelters.

The War with Hezbollah

• Over the weekend, IDF Sgt. First Class Guy Ludar, 21, of the Commando Brigade’s Maglan Unit, was killed during an operation in the village of Shebaa when he was struck by friendly fire amid an arrest raid; another soldier was seriously wounded in the same incident. Several other soldiers were wounded in separate anti‑tank missile, drone, and small‑arms incidents during the week.
• The IDF said three Hezbollah operatives were killed in southern Lebanon in recent days during close‑quarters combat. The military said the operatives were responsible for the March 30 clash in the village of Beit Lif that killed four soldiers from the Nahal Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit. The slain soldiers are Capt. Noam Madmoni, Staff Sgt. Ben Cohen, Staff Sgt. Maxsim Entis, and Staff Sgt. Gilad Harel. The IDF said intelligence verification confirmed the identities of the Hezbollah gunmen after the engagement. 
• Fighting with Hezbollah, marked by ground clashes in southern Lebanon and expanded Israeli operations, has intensified over the last week. Hezbollah also launched drones and anti-tank fire at Israeli forces operating across the border, while Israeli ground troops engaged in firefights in southern Lebanon, killing a number of Hezbollah operatives. In response, Israel expanded air and artillery strikes across southern Lebanon and deeper targets, hitting rocket launchers, weapons depots, and command centers. The IDF also continued preparations to widen a security buffer zone along the border. 
• The IDF has now killed approximately 1,000 Hezbollah operatives, including the commander of Hezbollah’s southern front, since the fighting began.

The War with Iran

• An IDF airstrike in Tehran overnight killed Majid Khademi, the chief of intelligence of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media confirmed Khademi’s death, identifying him as head of both the IRGC Intelligence Organization and its Intelligence Protection Organization
• Supported by Israel, US forces carried out a high‑risk combat search‑and‑rescue operation in Iran over the past weekend, successfully recovering both crew members of an F‑15E Strike Eagle that was shot down by Iranian air defenses on April 3. The pilot was rescued within hours of ejecting, while the second crew member, who was the aircraft’s weapons systems officer, remained hidden for nearly two days in mountainous terrain before being extracted by US special operations forces in a complex nighttime mission involving dozens of aircraft and a CIA‑led deception effort.
• Today, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to thank him on behalf of the American people “for unprecedented assistance to US military and intel agencies who conducted a historic rescue mission of our air crew in Iran.” Huckabee said that the IDF and the Mossad were “helpful partners in the mission."
• Over the weekend, the United States struck and collapsed the central span of a newly built suspension bridge, reportedly a 450-foot‑high structure valued at roughly $400 million, that links Tehran and Karaj. A US military source said the strike was intended to disrupt supply routes used to move drone components and missiles to Iranian units launching attacks on US and Israeli forces. President Trump said that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,” and warned that “much more” would follow if no settlement is reached.
• The United States also attacked the former US Embassy in Tehran, which had become a gathering point for Revolutionary Guards and Basij fighters. This is the same building in which 52 Americans were held by the regime for 444 days during the 1979 hostage crisis.
• President Trump also issued a renewed ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, repeating that failure to do so would trigger US strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. Trump said that if Iran did not comply, “they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” framing the demand as a final deadline after several earlier extensions tied to purported negotiations. He set a deadline for Tuesday evening, April 7, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.The IDF, together with the US military, continued to launch waves of airstrikes against the Iranian regime's infrastructure sites. Iranian media reported that
• The IDF, together with the US military, continued to launch waves of airstrikes against the Iranian regime's infrastructure sites. Iranian media reported thatone airstrike overnight hit a residential building near Eslamshar, southwest of Tehran, killing at least 13 people. Iranian outlets also reported gas outages in parts of Tehran following a strike that affected infrastructure near Sharif University.
• Read The NYT: The War Is Going Better Than You Think.

Israel's Home Front

• More than 200 residents have been newly evacuated from their homes in central and northern Israel, bringing the total number of displaced residents to approximately 6,700, with further increases expected following the strike in Haifa.
• The IDF Home Front Command has kept most nationwide wartime restrictions in place, with only limited, highly localized easing and frequent reassessments tied to ongoing Iranian missile fire. Roughly 86% of Israel’s population are now under restricted activity. On April 4, the Home Front Command extended the existing guidelines through at least Monday night, meaning schools remained closed in most of the country, with educational activity permitted only in select areas where an adequate shelter could be reached in time.
• Talk of broader school reopenings continued, but has not yet materialized nationwide. After the Pesach vacation, reopenings are expected to be partial, regional, and dependent on local authority decisions, protected spaces, staffing, and transportation. 
• There has been only a small increase in outbound air traffic passenger capacity at Ben Gurion Airport, raising the cap to 100 passengers per departing flight, while overall flight frequency and scheduling was also increased to two flights per hour. Incoming flights were permitted at higher capacity, but departures, routing, and airline schedules continued to be constrained by security directives.
• The Bank of Israel left interest rates unchanged at 4%, warned of inflationary pressures, lowered growth forecasts to 3.8% for 2026 under continued fighting, and projected a budget deficit of 5.3% of GDP.
• Maj. (Res.) Asaf Dagan, an Israeli Air Force reservist who died by suicide in October 2024, was officially recognized as a fallen IDF soldier. His family said the decision followed a long legal and public campaign and acknowledged that his death was linked to service‑related PTSD. The High Court had previously ruled that he should receive a military funeral but be buried in a civilian cemetery. The Defense Ministry said each such case was reviewed individually under the revised policy.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• US-Iran diplomacy over the past week moved in parallel with escalating threats as President Donald Trump sent sharply mixed signals about a possible off‑ramp. Trump repeatedly said talks were underway and claimed they were “going very well,” writing that Washington was “getting very close” to finishing the war, while also warning Tehran to “get serious soon, before it is too late.” At the same time, he issued public ultimatums tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to strike Iranian infrastructure and saying that if no deal were reached, “we’re blowing up the whole country,” including bridges and power plants.
• Behind the scenes, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt all intensified mediation efforts, shuttling US proposals to Tehran and discussing a possible short‑term ceasefire framework. However, Iranian officials continued to deny direct negotiations publicly and insisted that any agreement must include guarantees against renewed attacks.
• Iran and the US received a proposal brokered by Pakistan outlining a two‑phase plan to end hostilities, according to a source familiar with the talks. The framework included an immediate ceasefire followed by negotiations on a broader settlement, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as an initial step. Iranian officials said they were reviewing the proposal but rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire under pressure.
• The United Arab Emirates said any US‑Iran agreement must guarantee access through the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE warned that a deal failing to address Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities would be destabilizing.
• Iran’s deputy foreign minister accused President Trump of threatening war crimes over statements about striking civilian infrastructure.
• Tensions between Washington and Europe sharpened over the past week as President Trump pressed NATO allies to take responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that European economies depend far more heavily on the waterway than the United States. Trump publicly criticized European governments for refusing to send naval forces to help secure shipping, telling allies they should “take the lead” in protecting oil flows and warning that the US was under no obligation to police the strait on their behalf.
• European leaders, including those in Germany, France, and the UK, pushed back, saying the Iran war was not of their making and declining to join military operations, even as Britain convened talks with dozens of countries—largely without US participation—to explore diplomatic and political steps to restore freedom of navigation. Meanwhile, Trump, angered by European comments and actions, questioned NATO’s usefulness and said he was considering withdrawing from the alliance.

The Region

• Iran has continued to carry out sustained missile and drone attacks on multiple regional countries in recent days. Gulf states, including Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, reported repeated interceptions of Iranian drones and ballistic or cruise missiles, with several strikes and debris impacts damaging energy infrastructure, airports, and industrial sites, and causing injuries. 
• Iranian attacks also targeted Iraq, including drone strikes near oil fields, Baghdad International Airport, and facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan, while US and coalition air defenses intercepted additional launches across the Gulf; shipping was also affected, with tankers struck or damaged in Qatari and Iraqi waters.
• The UAE said its air defense systems were actively intercepting missiles and drones targeting the country. Authorities reported that debris from an interception injured a Ghanaian national in the Musaffah industrial area of Abu Dhabi, with moderate injuries reported. In Fujairah, officials said a drone approaching from Iran toward a telecommunications building prompted an emergency response, though no injuries were reported. Kuwait’s army also said it was working to intercept missiles and drones fired toward its territory.

Jewish Federations and Partners

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• Jewish Agency subsidiary Amigour, working with the Israeli government, handled damage assessments for approximately 500 apartments nationwide and 99 public buildings, primarily in Beit Shemesh, Arad, and Dimona. Amigour has also renovated damaged apartments on behalf of the government.
• Under the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund for victims of Iranian attacks, 1053 cases have been approved and 427 are still in process, with allocations now totaling approximately $1.3 million.
• Passover seders were held at two absorption centers: 180 participants attended the seder in Karmiel and 200 in Jerusalem at Ulpan Etzion. These were in addition to model seders and holiday activities held for children at all absorption centers in the period leading up to the holiday.

Hillel Israel

• Hillel Israel is supported through iRep (Israel Religious Expression Platform), a coalition of Jewish Federations that works to advance religious pluralism in Israel by supporting civil society organizations, building public awareness, and strengthening dialogue between Israeli and North American Jewish leadership on issues of religion and state.
• Hillel Israel is part of the global Hillel network that supports Jewish students through community-building, education, and engagement on campuses across Israel, including many students recently serving or returning to reserve duty.
• In recent weeks, even with campuses closed and much activity shifting online, staff have remained deeply connected with students. They have moved several leadership programs to online platforms so students can continue to learn and benefit from community support.
• Hillel has hosted two Zoom mifgash sessions (including a partnership with the ANU Museum) and continued mifgash-style exchanges with international Hillels and the Matanel Global Leadership Fellowship. Together, these touchpoints aimed to provide students a consistent space to connect, share experiences, and feel the support of the wider Jewish community.

Kolenu

• Kolenu, also supported through iRep, is the newly unified Religious-Zionist, liberal-Orthodox movement formed through the merger of Ne’emanei Torah Va’Avodah and Kolech; it is grounded in Torah, ethics, gender equality, and social responsibility.
• In recent weeks, Kolenu has prepared the upcoming Shabbat of Resilience (to be held on April 18) by meeting with participating communities across the country to shape the Shabbaton’s content. This planning is meant to ensure the experience responds meaningfully to communities’ needs. The initiative is designed to create a restorative, unifying Shabbat that offers renewed spiritual resilience at a moment of heightened national strain.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 30, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 31 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Twenty-eight people have been killed in Israel during Operation Roaring Lion, including six IDF soldiers who fell in Lebanon.
• The Houthis have joined the war, launching missiles at Israel

The War with Hezbollah

• An IDF soldier was killed during fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over the weekend. The military identified him as Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak HaCohen Katz, 22, an American-Israeli member of the Golani Brigade's reconnaissance unit from Petah Tikva. He was killed during a firefight with Hezbollah operatives.
• Katz, who was buried last night, was an oleh chadash (new immigrant) from the Chabad community in New Haven, Connecticut. According to the IDF, troops engaged a group of gunmen, killing several of them in the exchange. Greenberg’s father, Yaron, said his son “always pushed himself forward with determination, with love, with a good heart,” while his sister, Noa, said the family’s world was “destroyed” when they were informed of his death. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Moshe, of blessed memory, immigrated to Israel from the US, enlisted in the Paratroopers Brigade, and fought bravely in defense of the homeland. On behalf of all citizens of Israel, we embrace Moshe’s family in their difficult hour and wish a swift and full recovery to our fighters who were wounded in the same incident. May his memory be a blessing.”
• Additionally, a few hours ago, it was announced that 19-year-old Liran Ben Tzion from Holon fell in battle in Lebanon. According to the IDF, an anti-tank missile struck a tank of the 9th Battalion, killing Ben Zion and seriously injuring another soldier. Ben Zion is the sixth soldier to be killed following the IDF’s renewed offensive against Hezbollah.
• Last Thursday, IDF Sergeant Aviad Elchanan Volansky, 21, from Jerusalem, was killed when an anti-tank missile struck a tank belonging to the Golani Brigade’s combat team. Four additional IDF soldiers were lightly injured in the attack. Aviad was the cousin of Elhanan Klein, who was murdered by terrorists shortly after October 7, 2023. He was named after his uncle, who was killed in a 2002 terrorist attack in the West Bank.
• Three IDF soldiers were seriously wounded and several others moderately injured in Hezbollah attacks and related incidents in southern Lebanon in recent days. The IDF said two soldiers were hit by an anti‑tank guided missile, while another was seriously wounded in a drone strike near Israeli forces. One additional soldier was moderately injured in what the military described as an operational accident. All injured troops were evacuated to hospitals and their families were notified.
• In recent days, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified in southern Lebanon, with the IDF expanding ground operations and carrying out sustained air and artillery strikes. Israel announced last night that troops had arrived at the Litani River and are now operating ten kilometers inside Lebanon.
• The military said it struck and destroyed dozens of Hezbollah weapons depots, launch sites, and command positions, and reported killing numerous operatives, including members of the terror group’s elite Radwan Force. Israeli troops operated in multiple villages near the border, conducting successful searches for weapons and dismantling infrastructure used by Hezbollah. Hezbollah continued to fire rockets, drones, and anti‑tank missiles toward northern Israel, triggering repeated sirens in communities including Haifa and the Galilee, while Israel intercepted several aerial threats.
• Israeli airstrikes were also reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warnings were issued, with footage showing smoke rising from Hezbollah‑controlled areas. Lebanese authorities reported significant casualties and displacement in southern Lebanon as fighting continued, while UNIFIL confirmed that a projectile strike killed one peacekeeper and wounded others near one of its positions. The IDF said its operations were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks and at pushing hostile forces away from the border area.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• Over the past several days, Iranian missile fire caused one civilian fatality in central Israel and left multiple others injured, alongside significant property damage.
•  A 52‑year‑old man from Ashdod was killed in Tel Aviv on Saturday, after being struck by shrapnel from a submunition during a ballistic missile barrage from Iran. The victim, identified as Vyacheslav Vidmant, had been working as a municipal security guard at evacuated buildings damaged in earlier strikes and was not inside a protected space when the sirens sounded. Emergency services said several additional submunitions landed across the area, damaging buildings and vehicles.
• In the same wave of attacks, multiple civilians were wounded in central Israel and the Jerusalem corridor. A ballistic missile penetrated Israel’s air defenses and struck near the community of Eshtaol, just outside Bet Shemesh, injuring at least 13 people. Most of the injured were reported to be in light condition, with some treated for shock. Homes and vehicles in the area sustained extensive damage, and rescue teams carried out searches to ensure no one was trapped.
• Today, debris from an intercepted missile struck an industrial building and a fuel tanker at the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa, Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service said. No casualties were reported, and Energy Minister Eli Cohen said production facilities were not damaged and fuel supply was unaffected. Firefighters identified a direct hit on a tanker parked on the periphery of the site, causing heavy smoke from a nearby structure, and worked to prevent the fire from spreading while searching for trapped individuals. A senior firefighter said the tanker contained benzene that was not considered dangerous and that it was expected to take several hours to put out the blaze.
• Elsewhere, additional civilians were injured by shrapnel and debris from missile interceptions in southern Israel, including in the Bedouin town of Kuseife. Emergency services reported treating several people for light injuries caused by falling fragments following interceptions.
• Last Thursday, Uri Peretz, 43, a father of four from Nahariya, was killed before he was able to take shelter. A man in his 50s was seriously wounded, and 13 others were lightly injured by shrapnel in the incident.
• Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi movement joined the war in recent days, launching ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones toward Israel from Yemeni territory. No major damage or injuries were reported. Houthi officials said the strikes were carried out in support of Iran and Hezbollah and warned that operations could expand to maritime routes, including the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping chokepoint.
• Civilian fatalities from missile hits remained thankfully relatively limited. Still, the number of injuries continues to grow, with many caused by shrapnel, debris, or while attempting to reach shelter during repeated sirens. Authorities reiterated that missile barrages during this period included cluster munitions, which scatter submunitions over wide areas and complicate rescue and clearance efforts.
• Multiple ballistic missile launches from Iran toward southern Israel were detected throughout the morning, including four in one hour, triggering repeated sirens in Beer Sheva, the Negev and the southern West Bank. The IDF said the missiles were intercepted and no injuries were reported in those incidents. Sirens also sounded in Haifa following a rocket salvo fired from Lebanon and in Eilat due to suspected hostile drones. The military later said it intercepted two drones launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi group.
• Siren activity has continued to intensify in northern Israel, with the number of alerts there now surpassing those in central Israel. Warning times were extended in dozens of northern communities, including an increase in the city of Nahariya.

The War with Iran

• In recent days, Israeli and US forces carried out repeated large‑scale strikes on Iranian military and regime infrastructure, with a focus on Tehran and key weapons facilities. The IDF said it struck ballistic missile production and storage sites, air defense systems, and multiple temporary command centers in the Iranian capital, describing the operation as a wide‑scale wave of attacks
• Iranian and international media reported explosions and fires at military, energy, and industrial sites in cities including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj, with power outages reported in parts of the capital following damage to electricity infrastructure. US officials said American forces continued joint operations targeting missile capabilities and regime assets.
• US President Donald Trump claimed that many targets in Iran had been destroyed over the past day and said the US had struck thousands of sites since the war began.
• Trump also said he was weighing the risks to US troops in considering a special ground operation to seize approximately 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium from Iran. He also said a deal to end the war could come soon, while threatening severe consequences if Iran rejected US demands.The USS Tripoli and its Marine Expeditionary Unit have arrived in the Middle East from Japan, including the forces on the USS Boxer and reinforcements from the 82nd Airborne. This marks the largest US military deployment to the region in over 20 years.
• Iran executed two men convicted of ties to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, accusing them of planning armed attacks in Tehran using improvised launchers. Iran’s judiciary did not provide details on when the men were arrested.

Israel's Home Front

• Israel’s Health Ministry reported that 232 people were hospitalized over the previous 24 hours due to injuries related to the war with Iran, bringing the total number of hospital admissions since February 28 to 6,008. Among those treated in the past day, two were listed in serious condition, eight in moderate condition, and 215 in good condition, with seven treated for anxiety. The ministry said 121 people remained hospitalized nationwide. The figures included both civilians and soldiers.
• The IDF Home Front Command again extended wartime restrictions until at least Saturday night. Gatherings are capped at 100 people indoors and 50 outdoors in those areas. In the rest of the country, educational activities remained suspended, and gatherings were limited to 50 people. A further assessment was scheduled for Saturday evening. Roughly 86% of Israel’s population remain under restricted activity conditions.
• Around 6,100 residents from 47 local authorities are currently displaced from their homes and staying in hotels or community‑based housing after damage from missile strikes.  More than 350 were evacuated in recent days, primarily from Eshtaol in the Jerusalem area.
• Flights to and from Israel remain heavily disrupted, with Ben Gurion Airport operating on a very limited basis of just one flight per hour, and Israeli airlines extending cancellations of regular flights into April. Since the outbreak of the war, approximately 188,000 Israelis have returned and about 150,000 have departed, while land crossings have seen increased traffic following tightened aviation restrictions. Changes in Egyptian and Jordanian policies in recent days have further complicated travel via land crossings, including higher costs at the Taba crossing to Egypt, and the suspension of Israeli flights via Aqaba in Jordan.
• The Knesset approved the 2026 state budget by a vote of 62–55, preventing the collapse of the government and early elections. This is the first time in nearly two decades as prime minister that Prime Minister Netanyahu succeeded in passing a state budget in an election year, effectively securing the government until at least September, making this Israel’s longest‑serving government since 1969.
• The approximately $271 billion budget is the largest in Israel’s history and includes a record defense allocation of more than $45 billion, alongside additional long‑term and income‑dependent expenditures. The final vote followed more than 14 hours of debate, repeated interruptions due to missile sirens, and last‑minute amendments that allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to priorities of Haredi parties.
• IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called the alleged assault of a CNN crew by reservists in the West Bank a grave ethical incident and said it violated IDF norms. Following an investigation, the IDF removed the Netzah Israel Battalion from operational activity in the West Bank and placed it in reserve duty pending retraining. The military said the soldiers involved made inappropriate remarks and that Military Police were examining allegations of physical violence.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• Spain closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in strikes on Iran, expanding earlier restrictions that barred American forces from using jointly operated military bases. The move requires US planes to bypass Spanish airspace when flying to Middle East targets, with limited emergency exceptions, as Spanish officials said the country would not participate in what they described as a unilaterally initiated war.
• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wanted US President Donald Trump to clarify the objectives of the war with Iran and called for de‑escalation. Speaking in Australia, Albanese said greater certainty was needed regarding how the conflict was being prosecuted.
• Trump said Iran had agreed to allow 20 additional oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a gesture of willingness to negotiate. He said the vessels would begin transiting the strait in the coming days, though the figures had not been independently verified. Trump also said Iran had agreed to most of the US demands in a proposed deal, but Iran had not formally responded.

The Region

• Iranian missiles and drones struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, damaging refueling aircraft and wounding 10–12 U.S. personnel, some critically.
• In recent days, Iran has launched repeated missile and drone attacks against several Arab neighbors, targeting military facilities, energy infrastructure, and transport hubs in the Gulf. Projectiles and drones were fired toward Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, with several strikes or falling debris damaging oil refineries, gas facilities, ports, and industrial zones, including sites in Bahrain and the UAE.
• Gulf states said the vast majority of the attacks were intercepted by air defense systems, though some facilities were temporarily shut and injuries were reported in isolated incidents. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar reported intercepting missiles and drones, activated civil defense alerts, and publicly condemned the attacks, while refraining from direct retaliation. Bahrain declared force majeure at one of its refineries following damage from an Iranian strike, and regional airspace and energy operations were disrupted as governments placed forces on high alert.
• Arab leaders publicly condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks while signaling a preference for restraint, alongside warnings that continued strikes could prompt a response. Saudi Arabia described the attacks on Gulf energy and civilian infrastructure as unacceptable and said its patience was limited, while emphasizing its right to defend its territory and interests. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain issued statements condemning the strikes and said their air defenses had intercepted most incoming threats, while stopping short of announcing direct military retaliation.
• Several Gulf governments said they were coordinating closely with allies on air defense and security measures, as officials across the region warned that further Iranian attacks on civilian or energy targets would not go unanswered.

Jewish Federations and Partners

The Jewish Agency for Israel

•  Amigour, a Jewish Agency subsidiary, continued renovation of damaged apartments on behalf of the government, with work underway or completed in 463 apartments, including 160 in Be’er Sheva and 79 in Beit Shemesh.
• Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund, a total of 934 grants were approved and 413 remained in process, with total allocations reaching approximately $1.1 million.
• The Jewish Agency launched a new Matriculation and Resilience Program for students living 0–1.2 miles from Israel’s northern border in partnership with Habaita - another Federation grantee. The initiative targets approximately 1,500 11th–12th-grade students across nine municipalities, including Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, and Metula, combining respite retreats, intensive preparation for the matriculation exams in math and English, and resilience-building activities. In addition, the program offered full scholarships to Jewish Agency pre‑army academies, enabling eligible students to participate in leadership and personal development programs without financial barriers.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

• JDC expanded its emergency response during the past week, as missile attacks continued across Israel. More than 5,300 residents from 44 municipalities were displaced, with Arad and Dimona (see video) added to the list of hard‑hit cities receiving targeted support. In these two cities, over 1,000 residents were evacuated to hotels, including large numbers of older adults and young children; JDC delivered approximately 1.2 tons of essential supplies, supported evacuees in hotels (including a nursing home that absorbed 50 elderly evacuees), replenished emergency and rescue equipment, provided flexible municipal funding, and deployed additional community caseworkers.
•  JDC also began intake under its All the Way Home (Ad HaBayit) initiative for displaced families from Beit Shemesh and Be’er Sheva, with up to 60 of the most vulnerable households in each city receiving individualized assistance with housing, benefits, and recovery. Watch here.
•  Nationwide, JDC distributed 10,000 activity kits for older adults across more than 30 municipalities, deployed large resilience kits in northern communities, and provided sensory kits for children with disabilities. More than 170 community caseworkers continued supporting vulnerable populations, while work advanced to connect up to 500 public shelters to Wi‑Fi. In parallel, JDC strengthened longer‑term services, including opening a new Alon Center for Men in southern Israel to expand access to mental health and crisis support.

Machon Shittim

• Machon Shittim is supported through iRep (Israel Religious Expression Platform), a coalition of Jewish Federations that works to advance religious pluralism in Israel by supporting civil society organizations, building public awareness, and strengthening dialogue between Israeli and North American Jewish leadership on issues of religion and state.  In recent weeks, the organization expanded its cultural and community-strengthening initiatives to support Israelis spending prolonged periods in shelters. It refreshed and reissued its “Shabbat in the Shelter” materials as part of this effort. The project provides accessible Shabbat content designed to bring calm, connection, and shared spirit to families and communities sheltering for long hours. The content has already reached thousands of people digitally, with highly appreciative feedback from individuals and community leaders.

Krembo's Wings

•  Krembo’s Wings, supported by Jewish Federations, is an Israeli youth movement that brings together children and teens with and without disabilities for weekly social and educational activities in an inclusive, accessible framework. Founded in 2002, it operates branches across Israel and is built on a model of shared leadership, where all participants take part as equal members of the movement, fostering friendship, belonging, and social inclusion.
• During Operation Roaring Lion, Krembo’s Wings leveraged prior grant investments to maintain—and quickly adapt—its nationwide infrastructure, ensuring continuity and stability for youth with and without disabilities amid acute disruption. Between February 28 and March 16, the movement coordinated with 75 local authorities, delivered 250+ online meetings, resumed in-person activities in 25+ branches, and conducted 100+ individualized home visits for youth with disabilities—demonstrating resilient operations at scale.
• Youth leaders continued to run inclusive, values-based programming, community volunteering, and peer-connection activities, strengthening belonging and emotional resilience under emergency conditions.

Panim

• Panim is a national umbrella organization supported by Jewish Federations’ iRep, representing more than 60 nonprofit organizations working to strengthen Jewish-Israeli identity, culture, and pluralism across the country.
• In recent weeks, Panim has supported affected communities through the Tzomechet Shuv framework by accompanying northern communities, delivering cultural and educational activities in bomb shelters, and maintaining online programming for those unable to gather in person. Staff have also supported evacuated families in hotels by organizing Kabbalat Shabbat gatherings and children’s programming to provide stability and emotional support during displacement. In parallel, Panim is developing a new south–north pairing initiative so volunteers can accompany evacuees in hotels and extend peer support rooted in shared experience.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 24, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 25 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Trump suggests an agreement may be at hand. Israel skeptical
• Most flights to and from Israel are halted

Jewish Federations of North America have completed an additional round of emergency allocations, of more than $1.4 million, for urgent needs arising from the current war. For the full report, see here.

Briefing: Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Thursday, March 26 at 1pm ET

Join us for a special briefing on the rapidly unfolding conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. We’ll be joined by Dr. Einat Wilf for timely insight and analysis on the latest developments and what they may mean for the region and the Jewish community worldwide.

The War with Iran

• US President Donald Trump said that “very good and productive” indirect contacts with Iran via mediators had been held, and would center on reopening and guaranteeing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, halting Iranian attacks on regional shipping, and moving toward a broader cessation of hostilities, while the US would pause strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. He said the talks could lead to a “complete and total resolution,” and indicated that any agreement would also address Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, including the possible removal of enriched uranium from Iran. He said that Israel would be “very happy” with the results. Trump stressed that the pause on targeting Iran’s power plants was conditional, and that military pressure would resume if Iran failed to follow through, framing the potential deal as coercive diplomacy backed by continued US and Israeli military operations.
• Trump said he was postponing the planned US strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure after he issued — and then suspended — a 48‑hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the decision followed the indirect talks, and he ordered a five‑day pause on attacks tied to the ultimatum, while stressing the delay was conditional and could be reversed if talks failed. The original threat had warned that the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran continued to restrict shipping through the strait, a move that had sharply disrupted global energy markets.
• According to numerous reports, Vice President JD Vance will be joining U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Pakistan to pursue further indirect talks with Iranian officials, specifically Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi, with Islamabad serving as both mediator and summit venue.
• Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he spoke with President Trump and that any emerging agreement with Iran would need to protect Israel’s vital security interests, while stressing that Israel would continue military operations as talks proceeded. Netanyahu said Trump believed recent US‑Israeli military gains could be leveraged into an agreement that achieved the war’s objectives, but emphasized that Israel was still striking Iran’s missile, nuclear, and military infrastructure and would not pause pressure on Tehran based on diplomatic timelines alone.
• The Washington Post reported that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured, isolated, and largely unresponsive, according to intelligence assessments shared by Israeli and US officials. Despite his apparent incapacitation, officials said Iran’s remaining clerical leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had moved quickly to consolidate control and maintain regime stability. Both Israel and the United States assessed that Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive, but intelligence indicated that repeated attempts by senior Iranian officials to meet him in person had failed, reportedly due to security concerns and his condition.
• Israel’s air force carried out waves of strikes in Iran that hit ballistic missile storage facilities and multiple regime headquarters. The military said it struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence headquarters and a headquarters of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry in Teheran, along with weapon storage sites and air defense systems. Overnight, the IDF said it struck more than 50 targets in northern and central Iran, including sites used to store and launch ballistic missiles.
• Despite talk of negotiations, US military deployments in the region continued unchanged, including the arrival of Marine forces and amphibious strike groups amid planning for a possible ground operation to seize Iran’s Kharg oil island, and Israeli officials said coordination and operational plans with the US remained intact, with strikes continuing as planned and no shift in American war posture.
• Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were described as “moving closer” toward actively joining the fight against Iran, after Riyadh allowed US forces to use an air base within its borders. A US source told media that it was “only a matter of time” before Saudi Arabia entered the war. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said last week that its patience for Iranian attacks “is not unlimited.”
• The IDF said it has struck more than 3,000 targets across Iran since the start of Operation Roaring Lion. According to the Associated Press, Israel used Iran’s own domestic surveillance infrastructure to locate and kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the opening of the war, exploiting an extensive network of street cameras originally deployed for internal repression. Intelligence officials briefed on the operation said Israeli cyber units had penetrated much of Tehran’s traffic‑camera system years earlier, streaming live footage to servers in Israel and using algorithms to map the routines, routes, and security patterns of senior Iranian officials. That long‑term intelligence picture allowed planners to prepare the strike well in advance and execute it quickly once it was confirmed that Khamenei and other top leaders were present at the leadership compound, turning a tool of regime control into a decisive operational vulnerability.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• Over the past 24 hours, 2,943 rocket and drone alerts were recorded nationwide. The highest concentration of alerts continued to be along the northern border, including 143 alerts in Misgav Am, alongside elevated alert activity in the Tel Aviv–Ramat Gan area.
• An Iranian ballistic missile hit Tel Aviv overnight, injuring four people lightly and causing significant damage. Medics described arriving within minutes to heavy destruction, fire, and smoke. Security officials said the missile that impacted the central Tel Aviv location carried about 2,200 pounds of explosives, damaging buildings and vehicles. The warhead significantly damaged three buildings but caused no serious injuries because most residents took cover in a nearby bomb shelter.
• Missile parts also fell in Rosh Ha’ayin, east of Tel Aviv, causing damage without reported injuries.
• Lawmakers in the Knesset were forced to leave the wartime plenum chamber to take shelter after an early warning of an Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting Jerusalem and central Israel. The debate in the chamber was halted during the alert period, as legislators ran to shelters.
• On Sunday, Iran attempted to strike the joint U.K.–U.S. base at Diego Garcia with two ballistic missiles, but both failed to reach their target. One missile malfunctioned during flight, while the second was intercepted by a U.S. naval vessel, causing no damage. The attempted attack nonetheless marked a significant escalation, as the missiles traveled roughly 2,500 miles, far exceeding Iran’s previously declared self‑imposed range limit of 1,200 miles, a distance that would place large parts of Western Europe within potential strike range.
• Yesterday, Hezbollah fired a barrage of about 30 rockets toward the Haifa Bay area, with the military saying most were intercepted and there were no immediate reports of impacts in residential areas. Sirens sounded in Acre and the Krayot suburbs of Haifa, and eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple interceptions over the area. Magen David Adom said it did not receive reports of injuries from that barrage. Sirens also sounded in several towns near the Lebanon border amid a suspected drone attack.  Separately, sirens sounded in parts of the Western Galilee amid rocket fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The War with Hezbollah

• Israel struck seven areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight. The strikes followed an evacuation warning that had been reiterated for Beirut’s southern suburbs ahead of strikes on Hezbollah sites.
• Israel also carried out a series of airstrikes in recent days, targeting bridges over Lebanon’s Litani River. The first attack took place on March 13, when the Israeli Air Force struck the Zrariyeh (Zarieh) Bridge, which the IDF said Hezbollah had been using to move fighters, rockets, and equipment from northern to southern Lebanon
• The campaign has since expanded significantly, with Israeli strikes hitting multiple crossings, including the Qasmiyeh Bridge, a major artery linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, after Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly ordered the military to destroy all Litani River bridges used for Hezbollah activity. Israeli officials said the bridges were targeted to prevent Hezbollah from transporting weapons and operatives south of the Litani, an area Israel has long sought to keep free of the group’s military presence, and to disrupt supply routes ahead of an expanded ground campaign.
• Lebanese leaders condemned the strikes as a major escalation, warning that destroying the bridges would sever southern Lebanon from the rest of the country and could signal preparations for a deeper Israeli ground operation, while Israel framed the attacks as part of a broader effort to push Hezbollah forces northward and protect Israeli communities along the border.
• Public criticism of Hezbollah is reportedly increasing within Lebanon, including among members of the Shi’ite community, as more citizens openly question the group’s actions and the risks of operating within civilian areas amid ongoing fighting with Israel, according to a Lebanese affairs analyst who described the shift as “cracks in the fear mechanism.” While opposition remains limited and no large-scale protests have emerged, a growing number of voices—particularly on social media and in interviews—are expressing criticism that would have been rare in the past, with some of it now reaching local and international platforms.

Israel's Home Front

• Pre‑Passover day-camps were authorized to reopen in some cities, including Jerusalem and Haifa, after municipalities received special approval, with programs operating only in facilities with shelters or relocated to protected sites. Large parts of central Israel and higher‑risk regions remained under tighter restrictions, with full educational activity still suspended and public life operating on a reduced footing.
• Strict limits on all public and private gatherings—generally up to 50 people where shelters are available—remain in place.
• Air travel in and out of Israel tightened further in recent days as Ben Gurion Airport operated under sharply reduced capacity amid continued missile threats. Beginning yesterday, authorities limited airport activity to one landing and one takeoff per hour, with outbound flights capped at approx 50 passengers per plane, down from earlier limits, while inbound repatriation flights continued without passenger caps. Only Israeli carriers — El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa — maintained limited operations, largely focused on repatriation and essential routes, as most foreign airlines extended suspensions, with major US and European carriers postponing returns until April, May, or later. Several airlines canceled large blocks of Passover‑period flights, and Israeli carriers warned that the restrictions effectively prevented normal commercial aviation, prompting some to shift operations to alternative hubs in Cyprus, Jordan, and Egypt.
• Since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, 4,834 people were injured, including 161 in moderate or severe condition and 243 treated for anxiety or psychological trauma. Close to 5,000 residents from around 40 municipalities were displaced from their homes and housed in hotels or community‑based accommodations.
• Home Front Command has re‑tightened civilian activity restrictions beginning March 22, returning several regions to a reduced‑activity status. Advance warning alerts were further limited, particularly at night, in an effort to reduce alert fatigue among civilians.
• The Education Ministry announced exam accommodations, including a 20% reduction in required material and 15% additional time for matriculation exams.
• As of March 22, nearly 5,000 displaced residents remained in hotels or community housing, while more than 800 people had returned home following completion of repairs. Property damage and displacement since mid‑March affected communities, including Dimona, Arad, Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Vradim, Nahariya, and the Modi’in region.
• Population Authority data showed that since the start of the operation, approximately 143,000 Israelis entered Israel and about 102,500 left, with a shift over the past week in which departures exceeded arrivals.

War Costs

• According to the Taub Center for Social Policy, the cumulative cost of Israel’s fighting with Iran — covering the April 2024 missile attack, Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, and the current war — was driven by three main components: direct military spending, lost economic output, and property damage.
• Direct military costs, including interceptor missiles, munitions, flight hours, and reserve duty, totaled an estimated $1.1–$1.35 billion during the 2024 missile attack and about $5.4 billion during Operation Rising Lion, roughly 1% of annual GDP.
• In the current conflict, the IDF carried out more than 4,200 sorties and deployed over 10,000 munitions within two weeks, compared with 1,500 sorties and 3,700 munitions during Rising Lion, with overall direct war costs now expected to reach approximately $8.1 billion. The government approved an emergency $700 million allocation, an additional $8.6 billion for the 2026 defense budget, and a special reserve of $3.5 billion, funding that required a 3% across‑the‑board cut to civilian ministries — including $50 million from education, $38 million from health, $24 million from welfare, and $160 million from transportation — while raising the deficit ceiling from 3.9% to 5.1% of GDP, adding roughly $270 million a year in interest payments.
• Lost economic output formed the second major cost. During earlier crises, nearly 1 million workers were absent from the labor force, contributing to a 5% GDP contraction instead of expected growth. The 12 days of Operation Rising Lion led to the absence of about 500,000 workers and a 2% quarterly GDP loss. The Finance Ministry estimated that the first week of Operation Roaring Lion alone cost about $2.4 billion, including roughly $270 million from the shutdown of the education system. With the emergency continuing and the education system operating only partially, similar losses were expected to recur on a weekly basis.
• The economic impact was expected to intensify further as reserve mobilization expanded from 260,000 troops toward a potential record 450,000, representing nearly the full reserve force.
• The third major cost component was property damage. After Operation Rising Lion, nearly 50,000 compensation claims were filed, with total damage estimated at $1.35–$2.7 billion. In the current war, damage appeared lower so far, with about 13,000 claims submitted to the Property Tax Authority, indicating reduced — though still significant — destruction to civilian property and infrastructure.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• President Trump suggested that a diplomatic resolution could involve political change in Tehran, indicating that the United States was open to the emergence of a new Iranian leadership as part of ending the war. Speaking after announcing the pause on strikes against Iran’s power plants, Trump said that if talks succeeded, the outcome could include a “very serious form of regime change.” Several reports noted that Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, was the Iranian official in touch with the United States, and being considered as a possible new ruler. The Speaker explicitly denied that any negotiations were taking place and accused Washington of using “fake news” to manipulate oil and financial markets.
• Israeli officials said the chances of a US‑Iran agreement remained very small, despite President Trump’s public comments about progress, citing wide gaps over both US and Iranian demands. According to officials and sources involved in mediation, Washington continued to insist on limits to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and guarantees of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran demanded American compensation and binding assurances that the US would take no further military action.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East, and said a negotiated solution was of “utmost importance.” Speaking in Canberra alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, she said the situation was critical for global energy supply chains and that societies were already feeling knock-on effects in gas and oil prices.

The Region

• A US strike in western Iraq hit a base in Anbar province tied to the Iranian proxy, Popular Mobilization Forces, killing seven fighters and wounding 13.
• Iran expanded its campaign against Gulf states with missile and drone attacks across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, striking airports, energy infrastructure, and residential areas aligned with US interests.
• In the UAE, Iranian drones and missiles caused damage at Dubai International Airport and ignited fires near hotels and industrial zones, while Abu Dhabi temporarily shut its Ruwais refinery following drone impacts.
• Bahrain reported missiles and drones hitting Manama, including a residential building, which killed one woman and wounded several others, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said their air defenses intercepted multiple incoming missiles and drones aimed at oil facilities and military sites.
• Iran also targeted regional shipping and energy routes, with multiple commercial vessels struck or damaged in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. At least three merchant ships from Thailand, Japan, and the Marshall Islands were hit by projectiles or drones north of Oman and off the UAE coast, prompting warnings from maritime security authorities and raising insurance and shipping risks. Iranian officials publicly threatened to halt oil exports from the Gulf entirely, saying vessels linked to the US, Israel, or their partners would be treated as legitimate targets.
• Iran launched missiles at US‑linked military bases and civilian sites in Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq, while also firing toward Saudi Arabia’s eastern region and the Al‑Kharj area near Riyadh. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed strikes near the Ali Al‑Salem Air Base, while Bahrain reported damage to hotels and residential buildings in Manama. In Iraq, Iran also struck Kurdish opposition targets, warning Baghdad’s Kurdish regional government against hosting hostile forces near the Iranian border.

Jewish Federations and Partners

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund, emergency grant-making continued to expand, with approximately $900,000 allocated. A total of 749 grants were approved, and an additional 505 grant applications remained in process.
• The Agency’s subsidiary, Amigour, continued to address immediate food insecurity by distributing 11,204 food baskets to affected individuals and households. Shelter infrastructure support was also advanced, through ongoing renovation of protected spaces, with 80 public shelters completed and an additional 85 shelter renovations in process through Amigour.
• Jewish Agency–supported volunteers maintained large‑scale community volunteering efforts, with 420 participants from young adult and teen programs active nationwide. Volunteers included university students, Shinshinim, and mechinot participants assisting in absorption centers with children’s educational continuity, supporting Holocaust survivors with shopping and online engagement, conducting cleanup at missile impact sites, and providing agricultural support.
• Watch this new Jewish Agency video showing Jews across the world standing with Israel right now.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

• To address heightened vulnerability, JDC expanded community‑based casework services, deploying staff to locate and support seniors and people with disabilities affected by displacement and isolation, and to connect them with social services. The scale of need exceeded the initially planned five cities, requiring program expansion to additional municipalities.
• JDC increased frontline welfare capacity in northern communities, deploying nine community caseworkers to Zarzir, Ma’ale Yosef, Mateh Asher, and Hatzor HaGlilit, with four additional caseworkers approved for rapid deployment. The program provided individualized support to older adults, people with disabilities, and at‑risk residents navigating displacement, service access, and continuity of care.
• JDC launched housing stabilization support for displaced families through its “All the Way Home” program in Beit Shemesh, assisting 60 highly vulnerable families over a seven‑month period in partnership with the municipal welfare department. This expanded ongoing emergency housing support for an additional 60 families in Be’er Sheva affected by the war.
• Following a direct missile strike in the Arab-Israeli town of Zarzir, JDC implemented a comprehensive emergency response in the highly vulnerable community, supporting residents displaced from damaged homes with essential supplies, rescue equipment, caseworkers, and first‑responder training.
• Through its Mashiv HaRuach (Frontline Cities) initiative, JDC delivered targeted community support across northern municipalities, including emergency assistance to families whose homes were hit in Nahariya, shelter‑based respite and childcare programming in Nahariya and Karmiel, and tailored activities for children, families, and homebound older adults in Ma’alot‑Tarshiha.
• Ahead of Passover, JDC distributed emergency shelter activity kits across northern Israel, with 200 kits planned and 70 already delivered, supporting children, older adults, and people with special needs during prolonged shelter stays.

Early Starters International

• Early Starters International is a Jewish Federation-supported, early‑childhood organization focused on children ages 0–6 and their caregivers, specializing in trauma‑informed, mobile interventions in crisis settings. It operates rapid‑deployment models like “Early on Wheels” to bring developmental, emotional, and caregiver support directly into evacuation sites and affected communities during emergencies.
• During Operation Roaring Lion, Early Starters International built on prior philanthropic investment to rapidly deploy mobile early-childhood response programs, providing support to displaced children and their families. Using established field teams, partnerships, and the “Early on Wheels” model, the organization created safe, structured environments in evacuation settings and affected communities. Earlier funding enabled immediate scale-up—trained staff, mobile equipment, and coordinated service delivery with local authorities—so young children received consistent emotional stabilization and developmental support during acute disruption, while caregivers gained practical tools to manage stress and maintain routines.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 22, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

Below, please find a short, special update about the significant missile attacks on Israel over the weekend. 

• Day 23 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Major Iranian missile attacks cause widespread damage in Arad and Dimona in southern Israel, with more than 200 injured, 11 seriously
• One Israeli man was killed in a Hezbollah strike in northern Israel
• Missile debris falls in the center of the country, including on the Ayalon Freeway

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Arad

• An Iranian ballistic missile, carrying a 1,000-pound warhead, struck a residential area in Arad late last night, causing extensive damage and leaving dozens of civilians injured.
• The missile landed between apartment buildings, ripping open facades, collapsing walls, and igniting fires in nearby structures. Nine residential buildings sustained heavy damage, with several deemed unsafe and at risk of collapse, prompting evacuations of residents from the immediate area.
• Hundreds of search and rescue team members from Magen David Adom, the IDF’s Home Front Command, Israel Police, and fire services operated at the site throughout the night, searching damaged buildings and vehicles for additional casualties.
• Medical officials reported that at least 115 people were injured, including several children. Nine of the wounded were listed in serious condition, while others suffered moderate to light injuries, as well as anxiety-related symptoms.
• Most of the injured were evacuated by dozens of ambulances to the nearest hospital, the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, which is a 40-minute drive away. Soroka declared a “mass-casualty event” and operated at full emergency readiness through the night. Hospital officials said many of the injuries were caused by blast waves, shrapnel, and collapsing debris rather than direct impact.
• A small number of the injured were flown by helicopter to Sheba Hospital in the country’s center.
• Local officials said the damage in Arad was widespread, affecting numerous apartments, vehicles, and public buildings. Residents who were not in protected spaces at the time of the strike comprised the majority of those who were injured, and authorities noted that most who reached shelters in time were unharmed.
• Municipal teams began assessing structural damage and coordinating temporary housing for displaced families as emergency crews continued to secure the area. The Israeli military announced it had opened an investigation into the failure to intercept the missile, as recovery and damage assessments continued into the morning. According to Israeli media, two unsuccessful attempts were made to intercept the missile.
• Many locals said that the fact that nobody was killed in the strike was “miraculous.”
• Watch these comments on the site by the Chief of Staff of the Home Front Command, Brigadier General Elad Edri.
• Arad has a Partnership2Gether relationship with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest (NJ). Federation staff in Israel are helping coordinate emergency responses to the strike.

Dimona

• A separate Iranian ballistic missile also struck the southern city of Dimona late last night, hitting a residential neighborhood and causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Dimona is around 30 miles away from Arad, requiring many rescue forces to split resources between the two cities.
• The missile impact led to the collapse or severe damage of several structures, with additional destruction caused by blast waves and flying debris across multiple sites in the city. Fire and rescue crews responded to numerous incidents, including fires sparked by the strike, as search teams worked to ensure no civilians were trapped in damaged homes.
• Medical officials reported that roughly 30 to 40 people were injured in Dimona, including at least one child in serious condition who suffered shrapnel wounds. Many of the injured were hurt by broken glass, falling debris, or while rushing to protected spaces after sirens sounded. Others were treated for anxiety-related symptoms.
• Like in Arad, the wounded in Dimona were also evacuated primarily to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where hospital officials said the injuries were consistent with blast and fragmentation rather than a direct building strike.
• The Israeli military said air defense systems had engaged the missile but failed to intercept it, and an investigation was opened into the circumstances of the strike as damage assessments and recovery efforts continued.
• Iran said it was targeting Israel’s Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona, claiming the strikes were in retaliation for an alleged U.S. attack on Natanz, which the IDF denied.

Misgav Am

• An Israeli farmer, Ofer Moskowitz (61), was killed early this morning in the northern border community of Misgav Am in an apparent Hezbollah anti‑tank missile attack launched from Lebanon. The missile struck civilian vehicles inside the community, causing at least two cars to catch fire. Paramedics from Magen David Adom found the victim trapped inside a burning vehicle and were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene.
• The IDF said it had identified fire from Lebanese territory toward Misgav Am and opened an investigation into the incident. Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for the attack.
• Ofer Moskowitz was a longtime kibbutz resident, serving as an avocado farmer and also as a spokesperson for Misgav Am. Kibbutz members described him as a central and well‑known figure in the collective. Despite the ongoing risks, he had continued driving in the area as part of his work and responsibilities.

Central Israel

• Fifteen people were wounded—most lightly—in an Iranian missile strike on central Israel this morning. The ballistic missile carried a cluster bomb warhead, scattering bomblets across a wide area.
• The attack triggered air‑raid sirens across the greater Tel Aviv area and surrounding communities. Emergency services were dispatched to multiple reported impact and shrapnel sites as a precaution, while residents were instructed to remain in protected spaces during the alerts.
• Magen David Adom said there were no fatalities and no serious injuries reported in the strike. In several cases, individuals were treated at the scene for injuries sustained while running to shelters or for anxiety symptoms following the sirens.
• Interceptor debris from the attack fell on several major roads, including sections of the Ayalon Freeway (Israel’s busiest and most important highway), prompting temporary traffic disruptions as security forces cleared the area and ensured there was no further risk. The roadway was reopened after inspections were completed.

Post-Strikes

• As a result of the attacks, in-person schooling—which had resumed in certain areas of the country—has been canceled for the next two days.
• Following the strikes in Dimona and Arad, large‑scale civilian evacuations were carried out, with 475 residents from Dimona evacuated to a hotel at the Dead Sea and 679 people registered as lacking permanent housing. In Arad, approximately 90 residents were transported by bus to a hotel, an additional 142 people were approved for independent evacuation, and 182 members of the city’s Gur Hasidic community were scheduled to evacuate the following day. Representatives from local authorities were deployed to the hotels, and property tax officials were scheduled to arrive in Dimona to begin damage assessments.
• Of the nearly 500 launches toward Israel over 23 days of war, only six have resulted in direct hits—an interception rate of roughly 99 percent. Most of the damage and injuries throughout this war have been caused by shrapnel rather than warheads.

Jewish Agency for Israel

• In Dimona, some of the Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program’s families were directly affected by the strikes, with five participating families displaced. Among them, two children experienced acute distress, one mother and one child were seriously injured, and one child underwent overnight surgery; the mother succeeded in moving the children to a protected room but was unable to reach safety herself. Program mentors maintained direct contact with all affected families, providing initial emotional support and beginning needs assessments, with close coordination facilitated by Dimona Mayor Benny Biton, who also serves as chair of the Youth Futures program.
• Family and Volunteer Operations teams worked with local municipalities to assess residential damage and immediate needs, with preliminary estimates indicating hundreds of apartments affected and full damage lists expected within several days. Plans were made to distribute emergency grants to injured residents at Soroka Medical Center, and engineering assessments were anticipated for an Amigour residential property in Arad.

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

• Following the attacks in northern and southern Israel, JDC expanded its emergency response operations, including in Dimona and Arad. JDC delivered humanitarian assistance packages including clothing, diapers, rescue and medical equipment, and deployed community support services in both cities, including providing flexible emergency assistance funds. JDC caseworkers identified and supported seniors and people with disabilities affected by displacement, and within 12 hours of the attacks, essential supplies were delivered to hotels at the Dead Sea housing evacuees.
• In Dimona, emergency equipment provided by JDC-GRID was used by Or Movement–trained volunteer teams (see below) during the initial response to the incident. Rescue kits, medic bags, loudspeakers, stretchers, and first‑aid kits were used for evacuations, crowd management, and initial medical care, with moderate and severe casualties subsequently transferred to Magen David Adom treatment.

Or Movement

• Jewish Federations-supported Or Movement is an Israeli nonprofit that works to strengthen and develop communities in the Negev and Galilee through population growth, local leadership development, and partnerships with government and local authorities. The organization focuses on building sustainable communities by supporting relocation, emergency preparedness, community infrastructure, and long‑term regional resilience initiatives.
• In Dimona overnight, Or Movement–trained emergency volunteer teams led the initial civilian response following the missile strike. Teams trained through Or arrived first on scene, began rescue and extraction of injured and trapped residents, and operated for approximately 30 minutes before IDF and MDA forces arrived. Using rescue, medical, and evacuation equipment provided through Federation partner allocations, the teams supported treatment of approximately 50 casualties, assisted with evacuating elderly residents from damaged buildings, managed crowd control, and established a forward assistance center and a community support hub serving residents displaced from dozens of damaged apartments.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 19, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 20 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Iranian missile kills a foreign worker in Israel’s center and three Palestinian women near Hebron.
• Israel continues to strike both Iran and Hezbollah
• Israel ranked eighth in the World Happiness Report for the second consecutive year

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• A 30-year-old foreign worker from Thailand was killed at Moshav Adanim in central Israel overnight. The incident occurred after an Iranian missile attack scattered shrapnel and apparent cluster munition impacts across the area. Magen David Adom medics treated him for critical shrapnel wounds but declared him dead shortly afterward. First responders reported multiple impact sites in central Israel linked to the same salvo. The incident was one of several barrages last night, with authorities continuing to assess where fragments fell and whether additional damage was caused.
• In a separate overnight Iranian launch, another missile carrying an apparent cluster bomb warhead struck parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least three Palestinian women were killed and 13 injured as a result of a direct strike and falling missile fragments in a village near Hebron.
• Hezbollah also fired multiple rocket barrages at northern Israeli communities overnight, triggering sirens in towns including Karmiel and Kiryat Shmona and surrounding areas. Emergency services said there were no injuries reported in the latest barrages.  See images from impact sites here.
• A delegation of 15 European ambassadors visited Beit Shemesh to tour the site of a deadly Iranian missile strike that hit a shelter on March 1, killing nine people. The visiting diplomats met with community members and local leaders and heard accounts from survivors of the attack. Several ambassadors said seeing the damage firsthand underscored the scale of civilian trauma caused by repeated missile fire.

The War with Iran

• The IDF destroyed an Iranian Mi-17 helicopter at Sanandaj Airport in Iran’s Hamedan province in a strike carried out yesterday. The military described the attack as based on real-time intelligence and said it was part of an effort to deepen damage to the Revolutionary Guards’ air capabilities while expanding air superiority in western Iran.
• See these photos of the commanders of the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Navy during overnight strikes in northern Iran.
• Newly released commercial satellite images showed widespread physical damage across multiple sites in the Middle East following weeks of fighting in the Iran war. The images documented visible destruction at energy and military-related facilities in Iran, Israel, and several Gulf states, including damage consistent with missile and drone strikes. In Iran, the satellite photos showed clear impact scars and structural damage at key installations, reaffirming earlier publicly acknowledged strike zones.
• This morning, Iran executed three people convicted of killing police officers during unrest earlier this year. Local media said the three had been convicted over the killing of two law enforcement personnel and of carrying out “operational actions in favor of the United States and Israel.”
• The Pentagon asked the White House to approve a request of more than $200 billion for the Iran war. No further breakdown of what the funding would cover was divulged.
• The FBI investigated whether Joe Kent, who resigned as director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, improperly shared classified information, according to a person familiar with the matter. The inquiry preceded his resignation, which he announced in a statement citing his opposition to the war and arguing Iran posed no imminent threat to the US. President Donald Trump later criticized Kent publicly, calling him “weak on security.”
• Times of Israel: Regimes are ousted from within, but the US and Israel must not let up until that happens in Iran

The War with Hezbollah

• More than 20 Hezbollah operatives were killed during various IDF ground operations in southern Lebanon yesterday. The IDF said Golani Brigade soldiers identified a cell preparing to fire anti-tank missiles and killed five operatives in that specific incident. Troops also located weapons, including RPGs and anti-tank missiles.
• The IDF struck two bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon after warning civilians in the area to evacuate, saying the crossings were being used by Hezbollah to move weapons and operatives south toward Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not allow Hezbollah to use Lebanese state infrastructure, calling the strikes a clear message to the Lebanese government. The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson said residents had been instructed to move north of the Zahrani River ahead of the strikes to reduce the risk to civilians.
• See these images and video of the IDF operating in southern Lebanon, as well as this radio message from the Commanding Officer of the 36th Division, BG Yiftach Norkin, to the division’s troops operating in the area.

Israel's Home Front

• Some 177 injured people were taken to hospitals in the previous 24 hours as a result of the current war. One patient is in critical condition, two are in moderate condition, and 167 are in good condition, alongside one person being treated for anxiety. Some injuries occurred while people were trying to reach shelter rather than from direct missile or rocket impact. Since February 28, 3,924 people have been admitted to hospitals, with 74 still hospitalized.
• More than 3,900 total rocket and missile launches have taken place since the start of the war on February 28, including over 1,585 launches from Iran and more than 3,000 from Hezbollah, alongside 392 UAV incidents and 1,000+ interceptions. Damage assessments indicated over 14,800 compensation claims were filed nationwide, including 4,300 claims for structural damage, 610 claims for vehicle damage, and 448 claims for equipment and contents. Additional claims included 154 related to agriculture, 72 to infrastructure, and 71 to businesses, reflecting widespread civilian impact across multiple sectors.
• Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said that some Israelis received messages this morning purporting to be from the Home Front Command but were in fact a phishing attempt. (Phishing is the use of ads, emails, or text messages that trick a person into clicking a link to websites that look legitimate.) The directorate says the SMS contains a link to download an app that could be used to steal personal information.

Flights to and From Israel

• Passenger limits were reimposed on outbound flights from Ben Gurion Airport after missile debris struck two private jets that were parked at the airport. Israeli aviation authorities said the decision was taken to reduce the time aircraft spend on the ground and limit exposure during missile alerts. Under the renewed restrictions, passenger numbers on departing flights were sharply capped, even as limited outbound travel had only recently resumed. The move followed several Iranian missile barrages that sent shrapnel and debris falling in central Israel, including near airport facilities.
• El Al has announced that, following the Home Front Command directives, they are cutting the number of passengers departing on flights to the United States by 50%, to approximately 130 passengers per flight. About half of the passengers currently booked on these flights are expected to receive cancellation notifications.
• Israeli carrier Israir canceled all regularly scheduled flights through March 31, citing the new restrictions, Home Front Command guidelines, and limited operations at Ben Gurion Airport. The airline said the cancellations apply only to regularly scheduled flights and do not affect repatriation flights, which continue to operate under the Transportation Ministry’s framework. Israir said it would try to accommodate some affected passengers on flights currently operating, but warned that seat availability is far below prewar levels and that not all requests can be met. Customers whose flights were canceled are being offered either a full cash refund or a credit voucher worth 130% of the original fare, while ticket sales for regular flights have been halted through April 30 unless the security situation changes.
• Hungarian low‑cost carrier Wizz Air said it extended the cancellation of all flights to and from Tel Aviv through April 7, delaying its return beyond earlier plans to resume service before Passover. The airline had been preparing to establish an operational hub in Israel this spring, a move expected to increase competition and lower fares, but said the ongoing war and airspace instability forced it to postpone.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• US President Donald Trump said he would “not allow” another Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field, after Israel struck the site on Wednesday. In a social media post, Trump wrote that Israel had “violently lashed out” at South Pars “out of anger,” while claiming only a relatively small section had been hit and asserting the US “knew nothing about this particular attack.” He warned that if Iran attacked Qatar’s LNG facilities again, the US would “massively blow up the entirety” of the South Pars gas field, with or without Israel’s help. Israeli media said that Trump did in fact know about the Israeli attack in advance, but issued the statement in order to placate Qatar.
• China condemned the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike, calling it “unacceptable.” Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing opposed the use of force in international relations and described the killing of state leaders and attacks on civilian targets as even more unacceptable.
• Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said the kingdom reserved the right to take military action against Iran “if deemed necessary” after Iranian attacks on Gulf countries. He said he did not know when the war would end and said what little trust existed beforehand had been shattered, focusing on attacks on countries not involved in the conflict.
• France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot planned to visit Lebanon on Thursday, with France describing the trip as a show of support and solidarity with the Lebanese people. The visit follows an EU call on Israel to stop strikes on Lebanon. Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes have killed at least 968 people and displaced over a million. Israel says that most of those killed have been Hezbollah operatives.
• Kuwait announced the arrest of 10 militants affiliated with Hezbollah, accused of plotting attacks on “vital installations,” saying its State Security Agency had thwarted a terrorist operation. The Interior Ministry described the detainees as citizens belonging to a banned Hezbollah-linked group and said seized items included Hezbollah flags and small drones, alongside images of Iranian and Hezbollah leaders.
• NYT: For Once, We Fight With an Equal Ally

The Region

• Iran continues to attack its neighbors in the region. Qatar said Iranian ballistic missiles targeted Ras Laffan Industrial City, damaging the country’s main gas facility on the north coast. The site is home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facility and accounts for nearly 20% of global LNG supply. QatarEnergy said Thursday’s renewed strikes hit several liquefied natural gas facilities, causing sizable fires and “extensive” further damage, after an earlier attack on Wednesday had already caused significant damage to a gas-to-liquids facility. Global markets reacted immediately, with oil prices jumping sharply and Brent crude briefly surging to around $118 a barrel amid fears of a prolonged supply disruption. Doha condemned the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and a direct threat to its national security, but stopped short of expelling Iran’s ambassador, instead ordering Iranian military and security attachés and affiliated staff to leave the country.
• Saudi Arabia said a drone hit the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, with the Defense Ministry saying a damage assessment was underway. Yanbu is the only export outlet for crude oil out of Gulf Arab countries at present, as Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz.
• Kuwait said a drone attack targeted an operational unit at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, sparking a limited fire. Kuwait News Agency reported the blaze was contained to one unit and that no one was injured. The refinery is owned by Kuwait’s national oil company.
• The United Arab Emirates suspended operations at the Habshan gas facility after authorities responded to two incidents of falling debris following the successful interception of a missile, Abu Dhabi’s media office said. The office also said the Bab oil field was targeted, and reported no injuries. A separate attack set a ship ablaze off the coast of the UAE, close to the Strait of Hormuz. More than 20 vessels have been attacked by Iran in the Strait during the current war.
• Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt reopened for the first time since Israel closed it on February 28 when it launched strikes on the Iranian regime. Egyptian media said the crossing reopened “in both directions” and showed footage of a small number of Palestinians preparing to cross from Egypt back into Gaza, including people who had been receiving medical treatment in Egypt. According to data from the American‑run Civil Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, the number of trucks entering Gaza fell by roughly 80% following the start of the Israel‑Iran war. Before the war, an average of about 4,200 trucks per week entered Gaza, but this dropped to 590 trucks in the first week and 1,137 in the second week, with fewer than 400 trucks entering during several subsequent days. The sharp decline in supply was accompanied by significant increases in food prices inside Gaza, particularly for basic staples, as reduced availability quickly affected local markets.

Jewish Federations and Partners

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

Connections 20-80

• Jewish Federations supported Connections 20‑80 (Hiburim 20‑80), an Israeli nonprofit that connects young adults with senior citizens through a digital platform to provide practical, on‑demand assistance and social contact, aiming to reduce loneliness and strengthen intergenerational community ties.
• Since the onset of Operation Roaring Lion, Connections 20–80 has shifted into full emergency mode to ensure uninterrupted support for older adults facing acute isolation and vulnerability.
• With hundreds of thousands of seniors already at high risk—and many lacking protected spaces, nearby assistance, or daily human contact—the organization’s call center has seen a sharp rise in urgent inquiries from individuals entirely alone during the crisis.
• Drawing on experience from previous emergencies, when thousands sought their help, Connections 20–80 has expanded staffing, extended call center hours, upgraded technology, and rapidly mobilized volunteers to meet escalating needs.

Enosh:

• Jewish Federations’ supported Enosh is Israel’s largest community‑based mental health nonprofit, providing rehabilitation, housing, employment support, and counseling services to people with psychosocial disabilities and their families, with a focus on independent living and recovery in the community.
• During Operation Roaring Lion, Enosh has demonstrated the value of sustained prior grant-making by shifting rapidly into emergency operations while preserving full continuity of nationwide mental-health services for tens of thousands of people.
• Earlier investments in 24/7 residential frameworks, community-based care, crisis housing, and professional staffing enabled uninterrupted prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation—even as demand rose sharply. In parallel, Enosh scaled remote and digital supports, opened virtual social spaces, and expanded trauma-informed responses for displaced communities, families, and youth, including targeted interventions through its Headspace centers in affected cities.
• Long-term capacity-building also strengthened staff resilience—critical as many employees were personally affected—helping maintain service quality and system stability throughout the crisis. Employment and vocational programs continued operating, preserving routine and dignity for participants and supporting continuity for employers and markets ahead of Passover. 

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Inside Israel

• An Israeli traffic court ruled that drivers may not exceed speed limits during rocket sirens, rejecting a defense raised by a motorist caught driving 157 km/h on Highway 1 during repeated alerts. The court suspended the driver’s license after finding that excessive speed increases, rather than reduces, danger in emergency situations. The driver argued he accelerated to reach a protected space more quickly during heightened security tensions and multiple sirens. Prosecutors noted he had 16 prior traffic offenses, and the court emphasized that emergency conditions do not justify behavior that endangers public safety.
• Israel ranked eighth in the World Happiness Report for the second consecutive year, despite more than a year of war, national trauma, and ongoing missile attacks, according to the newly released global survey. The report found that overall life satisfaction in Israel remained high compared to most Western countries, even as daily life was disrupted by school closures, sheltering, and severe travel restrictions. Israelis under the age of 25 stood out in particular, ranking third globally and emerging as the happiest demographic within the country. Other Israeli age groups also ranked strongly, around 11th overall. The World Happiness Report 2026 is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent international editorial board.

The following piece, penned by an anonymous Israeli, has been circulating on social media:

What many people don’t understand about Israelis is that our emotional baseline is calibrated differently.
It isn’t because we are stronger or braver than anyone else. It’s because we live inside a reality where the ground shifts beneath our feet on a regular basis, and life still has to go on.
You can’t pause a country every time history decides to show up.
People abroad often imagine war as a clear event — something that begins, something that ends. A chapter in a history book.
Here it’s more like weather.
Sirens.
Arguments about politics.
School closures.
Work meetings.
A wedding tonight if the roads stay open.
A funeral tomorrow because this is reality, too.
All of it exists in the same hour.
We debate our government loudly and constantly — sometimes viciously — because this place matters to us in a way that is difficult to explain to people who see their country as a setting rather than a lifeline.
Before October 7 we spent months arguing in the streets over judicial reform. Families fought at Shabbat tables. Friends stopped speaking. Hundreds of thousands of people protested week after week because Israelis believe fiercely that the future of this country belongs to them.
And then October 7 happened.
And suddenly the argument didn’t stop — it just moved underground while the country mobilized to survive.
Since then we’ve been living inside something most people abroad can barely imagine: a long season of grief layered on top of constant vigilance.
Missiles.
Hostages.
Funerals.
Reserve duty.
Children doing homework between sirens.
And still — life continues.
Cafés open.
Babies are born.
People fall in love.
Someone’s grandmother insists you eat more.
Because Israelis understand something that outsiders often miss: if you wait for calm in this region before living your life, you will never live at all.
So we live loudly.
We argue.
We laugh.
We complain about the government.
We show up for each other.
We keep building things even when they might be knocked down tomorrow.
It can look chaotic from the outside.
But from the inside it’s something else entirely.
It’s resilience.
Not the heroic kind you see in movies.
The ordinary kind.
The kind that wakes up, makes coffee, sends the kids to school when it’s possible, runs to shelter when it isn’t, and then goes back to making dinner.
Over and over again.
Because here in Israel, resilience isn’t a slogan.
It’s just Tuesday.