Operation Rising Lion: Update on Israel’s Evacuations, Hospitals, and Recovery

The crisis in Israel continues to unfold, resulting in mounting injuries and damage.

The Israeli spirit remains something to behold, as Israel’s people carry on despite mounting losses and the cumulative effects of daily attacks.

As we have since the beginning of this crisis, we remain committed to guiding our members as they respond to this new and pressing challenge in Israel.

JFN is in permanent contact with the IDF Home Front Command, local authorities, the civil sector, and relevant government offices to assess the needs on the ground. Please, refer to our previous updates as these remain relevant.

• Approximately 5000 people have so far been evacuated to hotels, which are being used as a short-term solution. The Tax Authority, acting as the insurer, is responsible for determining the level of compensation for victims once home rebuilding becomes feasible. However, there is growing anxiety about what comes next, as hotels are not intended for long-term stays. Depending on the extent of the damage, many evacuees may not be able to return home for an extended period and will require more stable housing solutions.

• The Tax Authority and local municipalities are working to assess next steps, including moving folks to temporary housing or providing rental assistance or stipends for those who will live with relatives. Municipalities are working to expedite that process. The scale is significant. As of today, the authorities have received over 25,000 demands for compensation. To put that in perspective, in just a week, this represents 50% of the claims received from October 7^th until the war with Iran began.

• Because evacuees are not whole communities (as they were in the aftermath of October 7^th), they need help navigating the bureaucratic red tape that comes with relocation and aid. Organizations that can foresee the upcoming needs of these evacuees can step in to support and make an incredible difference in their recovery.

• Several NGOs are now operating in hotels by providing assistance to families, activities for children, and mental health counseling. Please consult with us to determine which ones to support.

• In general, local municipalities have proven to be effective and resilient. Tamra, Rishon Letzion, Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Bnei Berak, and Beer Sheva are the most affected. If you have ongoing relationships with those cities (or the city foundations), we encourage you to contact them.

• There’s renewed concern for health care facilities after the direct hit on the surgical ward of Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. Naturally, Soroka will need assistance to rebuild. Stemming from this attack, many hospitals in the country are moving operations underground, and equipment is needed. While the Minister of Health is assisting, you may want to reach out to hospitals with which you have an ongoing relationship as there may be meaningful ways for you to provide support.

• Medical professionals are under immense pressure, requiring mental health support. This is especially true at Soroka.

• Academic institutions are also suffering. In particular, the Weitzmann Institute, which received a direct hit that destroyed its new cancer research center. Rebuilding Weitzman will be critically important for the resilience of the Israeli scientific sector.

• Tens of thousands of Israelis continue to be stranded overseas, but repatriation shuttles are now operating from Cyprus and Greece. It’s estimated that foreigners who wish to leave Israel may be able to do so as early as next week. Birthright has been able to evacuate participants by sea, though the economic impact on the organization has been considerable.

• The suspension of travel has a direct impact on the American Jewish Community in several ways. Every summer, young Israelis travel abroad to staff summer programs, and now they are unable to do so. As such, there may be opportunities to engage locally with camps and other programs in America, which now need more infrastructure and staff. Contact the camps or engagement organizations you support to see if they need more help.

• In previous updates, we've mentioned the lack of adequate shelters. Organizations like IsraAID are working to provide mobile shelters approved by the IDF HFC. It’s important to fund ONLY reinforced shelters that are certified by the IDF as “miguniot.” Mobile shelters used against rockets from Gaza are ineffective.

• The burden on reservists and their families continues to be considerable. Around 100,000 are in reserve duty, which entails a loss of revenue and hardship for their families. Organizations that support those families should be a priority. Please contact us to learn more.

• The longer the crisis continues, the more mental health and trauma becomes a concern. Assisting organizations that provide trauma and resilience services, like Eran or Natal, are a safe philanthropic bet.

• The impact on the country’s economy is massive, as it is compounded by the cost of the Gaza war. The estimation is that the current war with Iran will cost 40 billion NIS (15 billion U.S. dollars). The country will probably rack up a deficit equivalent to 8% of its GDP and the public debt will skyrocket. Long term recovery will require a plan for economic rebuilding.

• The war has exposed some of the strategic vulnerabilities of the country. For example, the hit on the only oil refinery in Israel begs the question of whether a country at war can allow itself to have just one such critical facility, or if it is wise that a country like Israel has a single international airport. Private think tanks are starting to pose these questions. While the solution to these issues exceeds the capacity (and the role) of funders, philanthropy can assist in the thinking and planning phase.

• As always, remember to be proactive and check with your grantees in Israel to see what they need.

• As the current emergency unfolds, there’s a growing concern that urgent needs from before, especially those stemming from October 7, such as care for wounded reservists in the north, will be overshadowed. These ongoing issues remain unresolved and still require focused philanthropic attention and support.

• And remember, in a crisis, your local Jewish federation is a resource. Several federations are stepping up to cover emergency needs.

Once again, we must emphasize that networking and communications are essential. Our greatest resource is the knowledge and expertise of our members. Please share with us what you’re hearing and doing on the ground so that we can share emerging needs and ideas for our members and beyond.

If you need guidance, please reach out to us or to Anat Danis.

Shabbat Shalom, and wishing for quiet days.

Andrés and Sigal

Andrés Spokoiny
President and CEO
Jewish Funders Network

Sigal Yaniv Feller
Executive Director, JFN Israel
Jewish Funders Network