After the Oct. 7 attack on Southern Israel by the terrorist group Hamas, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched a full scale attack on Gaza. Since then, the IDF’s efforts have expanded to attacks on other terrorist organizations in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Qatar. The recent strike in the Qatari city of Doha has intensified global criticism of the IDF. 

As the third year of this war approaches, the IDF has started enforcing a renewed ground offensive in Gaza known as “Gideon’s Chariots II.” Over 300,000 Palestinians have been evacuated to Southern Gaza from Gaza City as the IDF attempts to strike the remaining members of Hamas. The IDF has stated that it is willing to stop the attack if negotiations to bring home the remaining 48 Israeli hostages are laid out.

Since Oct. 7, the families of the remaining 48 hostages have urged the Israeli government to make a deal to free all of the hostages and end the war. The Trump administration has presented its proposal for the full demilitarization of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the release of the hostages. All negotiations have come to an indefinite stop since Israel’s attack in Doha. 

The IDF has revised some of its attack plans, putting less pressure on places they believe hostages are being held while still attempting to carry out previously planned operations. The army informed the hostage families that the process of releasing the hostages may take up to four months and that there is no guaranteed safety for the remaining living hostages.

This conflict may be 5,000+ miles away, but its impact is evident for Jews across the world. Since 2023, global antisemitism has risen by 5%, with over 50% of the incidents instigated because of Israel-related tensions. On college campuses, anti-Zionist students have been publicly protesting, resulting in thousands of arrests and Jewish students feeling unsafe. In Europe, demonstrations against Jews and Zionists have sparked fear of attacks in Jewish communities. 

We continue to pray for the safety of Israel, the IDF, and the remaining hostages still held in captivity in Gaza.