October 18, 2023

Key Points

• On day 12 of Israel’s War with Hamas, US President Joe Biden has landed in Israel in a highly significant show of solidarity and support. This is the first ever visit of a sitting US President to the Jewish state during wartime.
• Jewish Federations of North America have raised an astonishing $388 million to support Israel in her hour of need, surpassing two-thirds of the $500 million campaign announced just last week. For details, see here.
• Despite Hamas claims of 500 Palestinians killed by an Israeli airstrike on a Gazan hospital, the IDF has presented conclusive evidence that the damage was from a Palestinian Islamic Jihad misfired rocket, and that the hospital itself was not hit. The governments of the US and the UK, among others, have agreed with Israel’s claims.
• Israel has established a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza where international aid will be provided for fleeing Palestinians.

Read more here from Jewish Federations of North America.