January 18, 2024

ITC update: Operation Iron Swords

ITC updates are now sent weekly on a Thursday.
Day 104
Thursday 18.1.23

The number of IDF soldiers killed since the start of the ground op has risen to 192.

An estimated 120,000 people attended the beginning of a 24-hour rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday 13^th January, to mark 100 days since the hostages were kidnapped into Gaza.  Hospitals, universities, and businesses around the country held commemorative events, including moments of silence, prayer services as well as speeches by hostage family members.

photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Medication for the hostages is headed to the Gaza Strip. It is thought to include three months’ worth for 45 of the hostages with pre-existing medical conditions. Israeli doctors have raised concerns about the hostages taking their medication without professional supervision and at the same dosage they received prior to their kidnap.

Thursday, January 18, marks “the saddest birthday in the world,” as redheaded Kfir Bibas turns one-year-old while being held captive in Gaza, said Jimmy Miller, first cousin to Kfir’s mother, Shiri Bibas. The birthday boy, who, along with his 4-year-old brother Ariel, and their parents, Shiri and Yarden, has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since they were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.

Shiri Bibas’ cousins Jimmy Miller (left) and Yosi Shnadier hold a somber celebration on January 16,

2024 at Kibbutz Nir Oz (Courtesy of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

For the first time since its establishment, the State of Israel faced accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Northern Front: Attacks have continued from Lebanon towards northern Israel. In Kfar Yuval, a missile hit a house, killing a 76-year-old mother and her 45-year-old son. Rockets were also fired toward the communities of Misgav Am and Goren that mostly landed in open areas. Earlier on Sunday there was an attempted infiltration in the Mount Dov area (where there is no fence). Three IDF soldiers were wounded in the incident. According to the IDF, approximately 2,000 rockets, mortars, anti-tank missiles and UAVs have been fired from Lebanon into Israel over the past 100 days.

Southern Front: Several rockets were launched Sunday towards Ashdod. One was intercepted, whilst others landed in open areas. Over 50 rockets were fired at the southern city of Netivot, the largest barrage in weeks. No reported injuries but included a hit on a shop in Netivot.
One person is dead and at least 18 were injured after being hit by a car and some stabbed on Monday afternoon, in the central Israeli city of Ra’anana. Seven children remain hospitalized with injuries.

ITC on the Ground: ITC partner Eran, Israel’s crisis hotline, has received over 100,000 requests for assistance since October 7. Eran CEO David Koren says, “Regarding the mental health of all the citizens of Israel, it is important to understand that the huge number of requests is evidence of the need for assistance.”

ITC is excited to announce a partnership with The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation Israel for the establishment of 15 resilience centers in academic institutions across the country, together with the National Student Union, the Organization of the Jewish Federations of North America, and Gross Foundation.

The resilience centers will help the academic institutions and the tens of thousands of students and faculty to build resilience and respond to the immediate challenges of the war and the challenges of the future in routine and emergency situations. The centers will provide direct assistance to students and faculty in emotional care and wellbeing, economic and academic matters, and emergency preparedness whilst training the faculty and laying the infrastructure for a comprehensive emergency procedure, strengthening community resilience including adaptation of learning in emergency situations. These resilience centers will be added to the existing centers currently operating in Israel, under the professional guidance of the Israel Trauma Coalition.

A Bright Spot:
Since the commencement of the war, the Asif Culinary Institute has been serving hot meals to the elderly and evacuees. This emergency cooking hub has provided over 50,000 nutritious meals to those in dire need. Daily, Asif also extends an invitation to a restaurateur or a private chef to prepare meals for two battalions, amounting to 400 to 500 individuals per battalion. To date, approximately 40,000 soldiers have had the privilege of enjoying a chef-prepared dinner while on active duty.

Thanks for all your support. We will keep you updated.