By Marcela Homsany, Staff Writer
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded the Southern border of Israel by land, air, and sea. They slaughtered 600 Israelis, took 150 hostages, and injured more than 2,000 civilians.
It was a Saturday morning, at 6:30 am, when 1,200 Hamas terrorist infiltrated the southern Israeli-Gaza border in a surprise attack during a Jewish holiday, scattering into more than 20 communities throughout the south, killing families in their homes, shooting youth at a music festival, and taking the elderly, men, women, and children hostage to torture them.
At 11 a.m. that same Saturday, Israel declared war, with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu stating that “The enemy (Hamas) will pay an unprecedented price.”
Since then, Israel has deployed over 360,000 soldiers to the front lines, stationing aid from its leading ally, the U.S., and a variety of other countries around the world.
Still, as Israel enters into battle, people residing both in and out of the Jewish state unite to assist the grieving country’s soldiers and civilians.
Despite the thousands of rockets hitting Israeli civilians almost hourly since Saturday, locals have gathered together to collect funds and supplies for the soldiers. Rachel Grundman, a local resident of Beit Shemesh, describes the scene “Every single block, there are people waiting for people to bring donations and when they have enough to fill the truck they drive the van to the base.”
Residents across the country are even opening their homes to families and communities affected by Hamas’s surprise attack. A Southern local, who wishes to remain anonymous, explains, “People are opening their homes up for people of the south, people are going to play with the kids that have witnessed [this] trauma, there are people who are giving blood… every five seconds people are doing something for someone – getting the right equipment to people- everyone is in unity and everybody’s together.” The resident continues to emphasize how “Everyone here knows someone who’s dead, missing, or [a] hostage still. Everyone went to the front [lines] and to the reserves, but I really think that it’s important to not panic. I think it’s important for everyone to continue with their life and understand that they have power; No one, no one, should feel helpless, because they’re doing what they can.”
And they are. Thousands of rallies in favor of the Jewish state have sprung up around the world, with ralliers expressing their fear, love, and empathy for the upcoming weeks.
“No one deserves to be innocently murdered in their own home,” said Farida Homsany, a rallier and local of Miami, “I can’t help but be sympathetic towards the situation going on right now. Terrorism affects everyone and we have to make sure Israeli’s know we stand with them.”Additionally, people are collecting portable chargers, clothing, glasses, and even headlamps for soldiers, chartering planes or sending them with fellow IDF soldiers en route to Israel.
As a matter of fact, a man allegedly waited outside the ticket counter of El Al, Israel’s national airline, and bought the passage of every individual going to serve in Israel’s army. The anonymous man reportedly bought 250 tickets for a flight going from JFK, in New York, to Ben Gurion, in Tel Aviv, on El Al’s aircraft, a Boeing 787-9, which holds a mere 282 passengers.
As the situation unfolds, communities at large continuously express their support for Israel. If you or someone you know would like to support please contact your local synagogue or Jewish Federation to learn more.
Photo caption: Aventura, Florida residents gather to show support to Israel, condemning Hamas on Monday, Oct. 13, 2023.