Update from Israel 12/30/08

ITC update 30/12/08

As noted in yesterday's update, Talia Levanon together with representatives from other leading NGO's, Foundations and government ministries, met with Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai who reported on Operation Cast Lead. He emphasised that Israel needs to be prepared for long weeks of battle. He went on to say that Hamas would increase the range of its fire on Israel, but that Israel was prepared for this possibility. Although Hamas's military wing, Izzadin Kassam, has been severely weakened by the IDF Operation, Monday night's rocket and mortar shell barrage on the South, which killed three Israelis, proved that Gaza terrorists are still capable of firing deep into Israeli territory. Whilst the meeting continued participants received constant updates on additional rocket attacks, further graphically illustrating this point.
There was unconditional agreement and understanding that the Local Council Authorities especially in the newly affected areas such as Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Netivot and Ofakim need strengthening and reinforcement. There was agreement amongst all present to coordinate direct care and other interventions with the Government's National Emergency Authority to ensure that there is no overlap in services.

Current situation
As Israel enters its fourth day of Operation Cast Lead, Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared a "special situation" for communities located within 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Schools were to remain closed within the 30-kilometer range (including Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, and Netivot and Ofakim). The following instructions were enforced:

Areas within 4.5- 10 km range of Gaza- no school- only factories deemed as "essential services" open- 15 second warning available before rocket attack.

Areas within 10-20km range of Gaza- no school-30 second warning available before rocket attack.

Areas within 20-30 km range of Gaza-school according to individual approval-45 second warning available before rocket attack.

Areas within 30-40 km range of Gaza- 60 second warning available before rocket attack.





ITC Activity per Local Councils


The ITC is working 24/7 with the absolute backing and support of all its partner organizations. As you can well imagine these are not easy times but working together as a Coalition harnessing all our collective experience and expertise is absolutely the correct way to work to ensure a seamless provision of services with no overlap or waste of resources.

ITC has appointed a point person to each local Council Authority to ensure the coordination and implementation of services and a constant mapping of available needs and services as the situation continues. In Sderot and Gaza Region areas where ITC has been working intensively over the last few years the work in emergency preparedness has paid off with a seamless response to needs and effective coordination between the Resilience Centers, local service providers and the Local Council Authorities. ITC has now extended its operations to work intensively with newly affected areas. Below is today's update from these areas.

Ofakim- Work with Emergency Teams in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare Services. Following requests for home visits, ITC will check needs, particularly amongst children who are on enforced home stay following decision to close schools. National Service and municipal employees will receive training later today from ITC.

Netivot- Coordination of home visits to elderly, new immigrants with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services.

Kiryat Malachi- Emergency preparedness meeting with all key service providers (Ministries of Health, Welfare and Social Services, Education) and key NGO's to sit together and coordinate their work in emergency.

Kiryat Gat- ITC is currently conducting comprehensive mapping of needs in coordination with the Welfare Department of the Local Council Authority.

Ashdod- Following recent attacks there is a rise in anxiety levels, several families requesting to be evacuated. ITC is conducting a comprehensive mapping of needs.

Ashkelon- Conducting home/hospital visits providing psychotrauma care including people who had suffered in previous attacks. Out reach to elderly population via phone and home visits. It's important to note that according to our log statistics, 24% callers to Hotlines over the last few days have come from this area.

Yavneh- An emergency meeting will be held in the next 24 hrs between ITC and representatives of the Local Council Authority and we will have a more accurate picture of needs following the meeting.

Gedera- An emergency meeting will be held in the next 24 hrs between ITC and representatives of the Local Council Authority and we will have a more accurate picture of needs following the meeting.

Beer Sheva- Since the range of Hamas arsenal is now known to reach the outskirts of Beer Sheva there has been an increase in anxiety level amongst the student population. ITC is currently conducting a needs assessment.

Nitzan- 300 families have been identified as requiring immediate psychosocial intervention. In coordination with the Ministry of Health a decision was made to refer them to the Ashkelon Anxiety Relief Site. Selah Disengagement Authority to fund ITC interventions in Nitzan.