Please see this updated FAQ document on current volunteer opportunities in Israel.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Activities

• Hamas announced its willingness to accept an "immediate" ceasefire with Israel based on a previous U.S. proposal without adding new conditions. The statement came after a meeting with mediators in Doha, including Qatar's Prime Minister and Egypt's intelligence chief. The ceasefire talks have yet to resolve key issues, such as control of the Philadelphi corridor. Earlier today, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had accepted the American compromise proposal from August 16 but that Hamas turned it down.
• The IDF confirmed the killing of Muhammad Qassem al-Shaer, a senior Hezbollah commander, in a drone strike deep inside Lebanon. Al-Shaer was involved in several attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon. His death, part of ongoing Israeli operations, marks a significant blow to Hezbollah’s ability to carry out further attacks. Hezbollah acknowledged his death but did not provide additional details about his activities.
• The IDF struck a Hezbollah observation post in southern Lebanon near Kafr Shuba in response to projectiles launched from the area into Israeli territory. The Israeli military confirmed the strike and noted that Hezbollah had been using the post to monitor IDF activities. No injuries were reported on either side following the incident.
• A 39-year-old reservist was seriously wounded yesterday after Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists attacked a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee with rockets and anti-tank missiles. In response, the IDF retaliated against terror targets in Southern Lebanon with artillery and drones.
• The IDF detained a terror suspect embedded within UNWRA in northern Gaza, halting a convoy of humanitarian vehicles for over eight hours. The convoy was stopped at a checkpoint based on intelligence that terrorists were hiding within. UNRWA officials disputed the IDF's actions, claiming the convoy was on a humanitarian mission. Despite the delay, the convoy and its personnel were released unharmed.
• The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Abdallah Abu Reala, a key Hamas terrorist involved in the abduction and murder of Cpl. Noa Marciano during the October 7 massacre. Abu Reala, who was part of Hamas’ Shati Battalion, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Marciano, an IDF surveillance operator, was kidnapped and later found dead near Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The IDF confirmed she had been murdered by Hamas while in captivity, contradicting Hamas' claim that she died in Israeli airstrikes.
• President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the IDF for the accidental killing of Aysenur Eygi, an American-Turkish activist in the West Bank. Biden called for "full accountability" and expressed disappointment over the incident. The IDF responded, stating that Eygi was likely hit by stray fire during clashes with Palestinian protesters; they called it "indirect and unintended."
• An IDF soldier was killed in a ramming attack in the Binyamin region north of Jerusalem. The soldier, Staff Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal, 24, from the Kfir Brigade, was hit by a terrorist vehicle during an IDF operation in the area. The incident is under investigation, and the attacker was reportedly apprehended by Israeli forces shortly after the attack.
• Two IDF soldiers were killed and four seriously injured in a helicopter crash during a search and rescue operation in Gaza. The helicopter went down in central Gaza, and the cause of the crash is under investigation. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi expressed condolences to the soldiers' families and stated that the military would conduct a full investigation into the crash.
• Defense Minister Yoav Gallant concluded IDF military exercises in northern Israel, preparing troops for a potential ground operation in Lebanon. The drills simulated combat in Lebanese territory, with Gallant praising the soldiers' dedication and noting that while operations in Gaza are wrapping up, the focus is now shifting north to address security threats posed by Hezbollah.
• For a more comprehensive summary, see here.

Hostages

• It is believed that 101 hostages from October 7 are still in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 who have been confirmed dead by the IDF. 
• According to newly released information, Israeli hostages, including children, were held in tiny tunnels in Gaza by Hamas before being killed.  The hostages forced to use bottles as toilets in cramped spaces. This revelation comes after Hamas previously released videos of some captives that shed light on the brutal conditions. Israel has confirmed the deaths of multiple hostages in captivity.
• Thousands rallied across Israel on Saturday night, calling for a ceasefire deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The protest, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, marked 11 months since the October 7 attacks. Demonstrators expressed frustration with the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage situation, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of blocking a potential truce deal by insisting on maintaining control over Gaza's border with Egypt.
• Israeli Ambassador to the United States Mike Herzog chose not to attend a Washington, D.C. vigil for six hostages murdered by Hamas after his request to speak was denied. The Israeli Embassy confirmed his absence but asserted the Ambassador’s continuing support for the hostages' families.
• The IDF confirmed that three Israeli hostages, Elia Toledano, Nik Beizer, and Ron Sherman, were mistakenly killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. The airstrike targeted a Hamas commander, but the hostages were held in the same tunnel complex. The incident occurred in November, but details were only made public after forensic investigations. Hamas had previously released a video of the three hostages in captivity.
• Click here to read more stories of those abducted by Hamas on October 7.
• Meet the seven American hostages still being held by Hamas here.

International

• During Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris defended Israel's right to self-defense following the October 7th Hamas attacks while advocating for a ceasefire and a two-state solution. Former President Donald Trump criticized her, claiming Israel wouldn’t survive under her leadership. Harris dismissed Trump's remarks, reaffirming her lifelong support for Israel and criticizing his foreign policy, which she said abandoned allies.
• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Harris’ running mate, expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging an end to the war in Gaza. Walz emphasized the need for a ceasefire and peace talks, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "I don’t think Netanyahu’s the one to lead it."
• South Africa announced that it will not withdraw its lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The lawsuit accuses Israel of committing genocide and follows reports that Israel had asked the U.S. Congress to pressure South Africa to drop the case. South Africa plans to present its arguments to the court in October, continuing the legal process.
• Swiss lawmakers have voted to freeze funding for UNRWA, citing concerns over the agency's promotion of terrorism and antisemitism in its schools. The motion, passed by a small majority, will require further approval in Switzerland's upper house. Lawmakers argue that UNRWA staff and educational materials glorify violence, making it incompatible with Swiss values.
• Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 20-year-old Pakistani citizen living in Canada, was arrested for allegedly plotting a mass shooting that targeted a Jewish center in Brooklyn. The attack was planned for October 7, 2024, in support of the Islamic State and a year after Hamas attacks Israel. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Khan aimed to kill "as many Jewish people as possible." The Justice Department charged Khan with terrorism-related offenses for his support of the Islamic State.
• Meta is facing criticism after its Oversight Board ruled that the phrase “From the river to the sea” does not automatically constitute hate speech. Critics argue that the phrase, often used in pro-Palestinian protests, is a genocidal call for the destruction of Israel. Meta defended the decision, stating that the phrase carries different meanings based on context.
• French political influencer Elias d’Imzalène was reported to authorities after calling for an "Intifada in Paris" during a pro-Palestinian rally. His remarks included threats against Israelis, Jews, and public officials, which the French Interior Ministry deemed a provocation. D’Imzalène, previously flagged as a national security risk, faces accusations of inciting violence and hatred in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

Stories of Heartbreak, Heroism, and Hope

• Elyakim Libman, 23, a security guard at the Nova festival, was nicknamed "Robin Hood" by his friends. Known for his strong sense of justice and bravery, Libman was killed on October 7th while protecting festival-goers from the Hamas assault. His dedication to others and his courage in the face of danger became a lasting part of his legacy.
• Pongsak Tanna, a Thai agricultural worker and father of a 14-year-old daughter, was taken captive by Hamas during their attacks on October 7th. Like many foreign laborers working near the Gaza border, Tanna found himself caught in the violence, and his family now faces uncertainty about his fate.
• Hapoel FC Jerusalem has unveiled a new jersey to honor Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a fan who was kidnapped and killed by Hamas during the October 7th attacks. The jersey features his face along with the phrases “May your memory be a revolution” and “A child of light, love, and peace,” paying tribute to his legacy as both a dedicated fan and a victim of the conflict.
• The Metula Poetry Festival, displaced due to the war, relocated to Jerusalem this year. Poets gathered to reflect on the impact of the October 7th attacks, discussing how their art has been shaped by recent events. The festival featured religious and secular poets alike, including some directly affected by the violence, who shared their work as a means of processing the ongoing trauma.