It has been a heartbreaking week for the Jewish world. It seems that every day for the last 9 days, we have woken up to more tragic news.

Sadly, it is coming at us from many directions. The death toll has continued to rise, the brutal nature of the attacks are now clear, the number of hostages in Gaza is staggering, and we now have confirmation from the rallies, protests, and condemnations worldwide, that much of the international community has rationalized the murder of Jews in 2023.

But, we have a strong country, and an army that will defend us. Though we have enemies, we have many friends, and the Jewish people come together as one in times of persecution. We will recover.

In an effort to keep you fully apprised, here is what we know so far:

This follows the same format of my first update post. The information comes from reputable news sources, including the IDF, the Israeli Government, and media outlets on the ground in Israel.

• The Dead:
  • Approximately 1,400 Israelis have now been reported as murdered.
  • 20% of those dead are soldiers.
  • At least 3,000 were wounded.
  • Approximately 1/3rd of the 15,000 members of the kibbutzim/moshavim around Gaza were either killed or wounded.
  • The death toll in Israel is so high that cemeteries in Israel are posting electronic signs directing mourners to the right funeral.
  • Israel’s military rabbinate has made an exception to allow rabbis to work over Shabbat, continuing to identify the dead. At the Shura military base, bodies have been coming in faster that rabbis can identify them.
  • Some bodies are so disfigured that they cannot be identified, and DNA tests are being conducted. Sky News has reported that 80% of the bodies found were mutilated, desecrated, raped, and/or burned.
  • Only half the civilians have been identified thus far.
  • The terrorists entered Israel with RPGs, thermobaric explosives, grenades, anti-aircraft missiles, and all forms of firearms, intended to kill civilians.
  • 30 of those dead were Americans, making this one of the worst ever terror attacks against Americans in history, too.
  • Israel recently put out a call for volunteer grave diggers, as the number of deat overwhelmed the country’s cemetaries.
• Children killed: Below is a list of the names and ages of the children who were murdered last week.
• Soldiers killed: 291 soldiers were killed. 54 police officers were also killed.
• Intent of attack: Documents recovered from the bodies of the Hamas terrorists killed in Israel show that they deliberately targeted civilian areas, intent on attacking elementary schools and youth centre buildings. Notations on the materials recovered state to “kill as many people as possible” and “seize hostages.” The plan was obviously not simply to attack Israeli military installations. This is now considered the third worst terror attack in the world since 1970 (9/11 is #1, and the Tikrit attack in Iraq by ISIS was #2).

  

• Palestinian workers in Israel: Some of the terrorists eliminated in Israel were found with Israeli identification cards on them, demonstrating that they had work permits to work in Israel. Some of them worked on the kibbutzim they targeted, demonstrating that they fed information about those kibbutzim back to Hamas, and used that Israeli goodwill to kill civilians.
• Hostages: As of October 16, the IDF has notified the families of 199 people that their family members are being held hostage in Gaza. Though the complete list of names has not yet been made public, these 199 include Israelis and foreign nationals, infants, children with special needs, octogenarians, men, women, and soldiers. It is believed that the majority are being held by Hamas, with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) holding 30 hostages of their own. The holding and torture of innocent hostages is obviously a crime against humanity.

• Evacuations on the home front:
  • North: The IDF and Defence Ministry are evacuating civilians who live within 2km of the Lebanese border. The 28 communities are Ghajar, Dishon, Kfar Yuval, Margaliot, Metula, Avivim, Dovev, Maayan Baruch, Bar’am, Manara, Yiftah, Malkia, Misgav Am, Yir’on, Dafna, Arab al-Aramshe, Shlomi, Netu’a, Ya’ara, Shtula, Matat, Zar’it, Shomera, Betzet, Adamit, Rosh Hanikra, Hanita, and Kfar Giladi.
  • South: Over 100,000 residents of Israeli communities around Gaza have been evacuated. There is reporting that half of the hotels in the Tel Aviv area, and areas around the Dead Sea, are being used by these evacuees.
• Operation Swords of Iron: Over the last week, the IDF has been targeting and destroying as much of Hamas’ infrastruction in Gaza as possible. Over 1,000 terrorists have been killed in Gaza (not including those terrorists who infiltrated Israel on Oct 7), which includes senior commanders. Thousands of targets have been attacked, including facilities, weaponry, and terror bases. Today, Israel eliminated the head of Hamas General Intelligence in Gaza. Israel has never sought to kill civilians, and that remains their posture in this conflict, as they seek to help set up humanitarian corridors.
• Reserve call-up: It is reported that approximately 360,000 Israeli soldiers have been mobilized in advance of a ground war in Gaza, and a potential conflict in the north with Hezbollah. I recall hearing from an IDF spokesperson that the rate of call-up is about 130%, meaning that everyone called up has made their way to the front line, including many thousands of Israelis who are not required to mobilize, but who have shown up for active duty out of a profound sense of duty.
• Slaughtered babies: Shockingly, there is anti-Israel propaganda circulating about the reports of the number of Israeli babies slaughtered, some of whom were beheaded. This story has been confirmed by major news outlets and the Israeli government. Though it does not appear that 40 babies were beheaded, there were certainly 40 murdered, some of whom were indeed beheaded.
• Evacuations of Northern Gaza: The IDF has requested that all civilians in Gaza evacuate from the north of the territory to South of Gaza City. This is so they can begin to dismantle the Hamas infrastructure in northern Gaza. Though a ground invasion is likely imminent (with support from the air and sea), there is no word yet on when this invasion would take place.
• Rafah Border Crossing: Israel does not control the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. It must be noted that Hamas is stopping civilians from exiting Gaza into Egypt, and Egypt is also not keen to allow Palestinian civilians into Egypt.

  

• Gaza Utilities: Shortly after the conflict began, Israel declared a siege of Gaza. This meant that they stopped supplying Gaza with fuel, electricity, or water. Though Israel typically provides for only 1/3rd of drinking water in Gaza, Israel has recently agreed to turn back on the water supply, after discussions with US President Biden. Israel has no obligation to provide food, medication, or fuel, to Gaza.
• Hamas: Hamas is encouraging Palestinians to stay put in Gaza, and to defy IDF orders to evacuate certain areas, continuing to use civilians as human shields. As of Monday morning, there is reporting that Hamas looted a UN hospital (taking their fuel and medical equipment), showing that they are continuing to do harm to Palestinian civilians, to advance their military aims against Israel. This is shown from the Tweets below. Hamas has also stolen fuel that could be running desalination plants, required to give the Palestinians potable water. Aside from the 200 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, they are holding 2 million Palestinians hostage so that they can wage an existential war against Israel.

  

• Iran: There is some nuance to the level of support that Iran has provided to Hamas to perpetrate the attack. No doubt, more information will come to light in the coming days, but there is no doubt that Hamas is a recipient of significant aid from Iran, and that Iran played a role in the massacre that took place on October 7. It is unclear how Iran will continue to support Hamas as the conflict continues to rage.
• Hezbollah: Reports demonstrate that Hezbollah is considering their options as to whether they will jump into the conflict in Israel. They have been testing the waters, by launching raids into Israeli territory, and fighting with Israeli soldiers on the northern border. As noted by Joe Truzman, “Hezbollah poses a considerable threat to Israel, with Hamas and Islamic Jihad further complicating matters by carrying out attacks on Israeli targets in northern Israel from Lebanon. These developments highlight the strengthening of cooperation between Palestinian terrorist organizations and Iran’s Lebanese proxy.”
• American involvement: The US Department of Defence has reported placed 2,000 US troops in “Prepare to Deploy” status, for possible non-combat operations in Israel. This may include medical support and the advising on ground movements.
• Propaganda: Be vigilant of online propaganda. Every angle of this conflict is being manipulated by Israel’s enemies to minimize the impact on Israeli civilians, and to bring greater sympathy to the anti-Israel cause.

Must watch: Douglas Murray

Douglas Murray is a renowned public intellectual and a friend of Israel and the Jewish community. I recommend watching this exceptional speech he recently made at a London synagogue.

 

The children killed, and identified, thus far, are:

Aryeh Alexander Sandler, the late 5-year-old

The late Gabriel Issachar Sandler, 3 years old

The late Daniel Aryeh Wiplich, 16 years old

The late Elad Fogel, 4 years old

The late Hadas Vogel is three months old

The late Yoav Fogel, 10 years old

The late Yonatan Palmer, one year old

The late Shlomo Nativ, 13 years old

The late Segev Paniel Avihil, 15 years old

Yonatan Yitzhak Elder, 16 years old

Yondav Chaim Hirshfeld, 18 years old

The late Naria Cohen, 15 years old

The late Yohai Lifshitz, 18 years old

The late Avraham David Mozes, 16 years old

The late Roy Aharon Roth, 18 years old

The late Eliyahu Pinchas Ashari, 18 years old

The late Mazel Zaribi, 15 years old

The late Daniel Waltz, 16 years old

The late Amir Naim, 17 years old

Shaked Lasker, the late 16-year-old

The late Omer Menashe Pisakhov, 8 years old

Ella Aboxis, the late 17-year-old

The late Rachel Hali ben Abu, 16 years old

The late Oz Israel ben Meir, 14 years old

The late Nofer Horvitz, 16 years old

The late Avihai Levi, 16 years old

The late Aviad Yehuda Mansour, 15 years old

The late Yuval Abba, 4 years old

The late Afik Ohion Zahavi, 3 years old

The late Lior Azoulai, 18 years old

The late Aviel Yitzhak Atch, 3 years old

Two-year-old Dorit from the late Binsan movie

The late Roni Sarah Hatuel, 6 years old

The late Merav Rachel Hatuel is two years old

The late Hila Esther Hatuel, 10 years old

The late Hadar Simcha Hatuel, 9 years old

Son Jonathan Zuckerman, 18 years old

The late Lior Liorinka Niv, 3 years old

The late Gilad Giladi Niv, 11 years old

The late Avraham Shaked is one year old

The late Tomer Almog, 9 years old

The late Habib Dadon, 16 years old

The late Benjamin Bergman, 15 years old

The late Avraham Bar-Or, 12 years old

The late Shmuel Zargari, one year old

Noya Zar, the late Aviv, one year old

Liran Zer Aviv, the late 4-year-old

The late Erez Gizro Hershkowitz, 18 years old

The late Tom Hershko, 15 years old

The late Daniel Harosh, 16 years old

The late Shmuel Taubenfeld, one year old

The late Moran Menachem, 17 years old

The late Yuval Mandelwitz, 13 years old

The late Abigail Lytle, 14 years old

The late Noam Leibovitz, 7 years old

The late Tehila Natanzan, 3 years old

The late Elisheva Meshulami, 16 years old

The late Elizabeth Liz Katzman, 19 years old

Asaf Blondi Tzur Zollinger, the late 17-year-old

The late Smeder Firstetter, 16 years old

The late Asaf Steyer, 10 years old

The late Issachar Dov Reinitz, 9 years old

The late Tal Kerman, 17 years old

The late Shani Avitzedek Abutzadeka, 16 years old

The late Asnat Abramov, 16 years old

Matan Ohion, the late 5-year-old

The late Noam Levi Ohion, 4 years old

The late Yael Ohana, 11 years old

The late Orly Ophir, 15 years old

The late Noa Orbach, 18 years old

The late Dvir Anter, 14 years old

Yaakov Avraham Eliyahu, the late one year old

The late Lidor Ilan, 11 years old

The late Oriya Ilan is one year old

The late Gal Eisenman, 5 years old

Gilila Bugla, 11 years old

The late Hodia Hudish Asraf, 13 years old

The late Noy Enter, 12 years old

The late Shubal Zion Dickstein, 9 years old

The late Elmer Dzbrailov, 16 years old

The late Adi Dahan, 17 years old

Jonathan Gamaliel, 16 years old

The late Hadar Hershkovitz, 14 years old

The late Rachel Gila Teller, 16 years old

The late Gabriel Hoter, 17 years old

The late Shmuel Ephraim Yerushalmi, 17 years old

Atara Livna, 15 years old

The late Racheli Hali Levy, 17 years old

The late Shiraz Nimhad, 6 years old

The late Shaul Nimhad, 15 years old

The late Liran Nimhad is 3 years old

The late Avraham Eliyahu Nicham, 16 years old

Baruch Asher Zvi Markus, 18 years old

Her father, the late Malka, is one year old

The late Nehmi’a Amar, 15 years old

The late Linoi Serousi, 14 years old

Avraham Yosef Haim Seton, the late 17-year-old

The late Gaston Parfi Parfinial, 15 years old

The late Ilan Perlman, 8 years old

Aharon Mordechai Eric Krugliak, 18 years old

The late Sinai Kenan is one year old

The late Tal Tzvi Tlik Kurzweil, 18 years old

The late Ran Koren, 18 years old

The late Gal Koren, 14 years old

Asaf Moshe Tzafira, 18 years old

Avraham Nere’ Shebo, deceased, 16 years old

Avishai Yosef Shabo, deceased, 5 years old

The late Keren Shatsky, 14 years old

The late Nathaniel Riahi, 17 years old

The late Erez Shlomo Rond, 18 years old

The late Ofer Ron, 18 years old

The late Yafit Rabivo is 14 years old

The late Daniel Bat-El Shafi, 5 years old

The late Adi Sheeran, 17 years old

Sara Tafarat Shilon, deceased, one year old

The late Gilad Stiglitz, 14 years old

Zvi Yaakov Yisrael Shabu Zal, 12 years old

The late Hadas Turgeman, 14 years old

The late Michael Sherashevsky, 16 years old

The late Assaf Avitan, 15 years old

The late Irina Usadchi, 18 years old

The late Yosef Ish-Ran, 14 years old

The late Yossi Elezra, 18 years old

The late Yuri Goshchin, 18 years old

The late Marina Berkovski, 17 years old

Shoshana Rachel Shushi ben Yishai Zalvat 16

The late Adam Weinstein, 14 years old

Yaakov Israel Danino, deceased, 17 years old

Genia Keren Dorfman, the late 16-year-old

The late Ido Cohen, 18 years old

The late Maria Tagiltsev, 14 years old

The late Tamar Messengisar, 8 years old

The late Jacob Kobi Mendel, 13 years old

The late Aliza Malka, 16 years old

The late Mariana Medvedenko, 16 years old

The late Naftali Ben-Zion Lantzakron, 13 years old

The late Ronen Landau, 17 years old

The late Alexey Lupalo, 17 years old

The late Raya Sahivashordar, 14 years old

Hamda Bracha Sahivashurdar, the late two-year-old

Avraham Yitzchak Sahivashordar, the late 4-year-old

The late Irina Nepomniaschi, 16 years old

The late Yelena Nalimov, 18 years old

The late Yulia Nalimov, 16 years old

The late Avraham Nachman Avrom Nitzani, 18 years old

The late Shalhav Tahiya Pess is one year old

The late Yair Amar, 13 years old

The late Yulia Yael Skalianik, 15 years old

The late Michal Sara Raziel, 16 years old

The late Malka Hana Malki Roth, 15 years old

The late Eliran Rosenberg, 14 years old

The late Simona Rodin, 18 years old

The late Menashe Mani Regev, 14 years old

The late Katrina Arias, 15 years old

Anya Eniota Kazachkov, 16 years old

The late Golan Turgeman, 15 years old

The late Yochaved Shoshan, 10 years old

Yehuda, who is one year old

The late Ofir Rahum, 17 years old

The late Gil-Ad Sha’er, 16 years old

The late Naftali Frankel, 16 years old

The late Adele Beaton, 4 years old

We name them so that their names will never be forgotten.
May their memories forever be a blessing, and Am Yisrael Chai.