Round after round of war and terror, Israeli lives are under constant threat. Whether it is rockets from Gaza, missiles and drones from Yemen and elsewhere, or sudden terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, the need to strengthen Israel’s civilian alertness and resilience has become increasingly urgent. In response to these unrelenting threats, the ICEJ is taking vital steps to enhance the country’s civilian emergency response by providing essential emergency kits and training sessions for civilian response teams. This is especially needed in northern Israel.
Since the current war began on October 7 two years ago, over 900 local emergency response teams have been trained across Israel, a dramatic increase from just a dozen before the conflict. These teams, composed of both trained civilians and professional responders, including firefighters, paramedics, and search and rescue volunteers, now serve as the first line of defense in their communities. In remote or frontline areas where national emergency services may face delays, their presence can be the difference between life and death.
The ICEJ’s recent focus has been on providing custom-built emergency kits tailored to the specific needs of each region and response team. These advanced life-support packs are filled with trauma care supplies, cutting tools, communication gear, emergency lighting, and search-and-rescue equipment. So far, 92 municipalities in the North have received critical supplies, and the ICEJ has joined this effort by extending our support to many of these vulnerable communities in the North and the South as well.
The urgency of this work was made clear by stories shared during our recent visit to Israel’s northern border. Yossi, the founder of Forur Aid, recalled a devastating rocket strike in Majdal Shams where 12 Druze children were killed. Emergency crews could not access the courtyard where scores of children had taken cover, and a tractor had to be brought in to pave the way, costing precious time.
“If we had these emergency kits then,” Yossi explained, “we could have cut through the wires and reached them faster. Seconds matter. These kits save lives.”
With northern towns still facing the threat of rockets and drones from Hizbullah in Lebanon, the need for local preparedness is more pressing than ever. In this environment, building civilian resilience is essential. Research from major emergency management groups, such as the World Health Organisation and FEMA, underscores that in high-risk regions, the presence of trained local responders equipped with proper tools can reduce preventable fatalities by as much as 50%.
A 2021 study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that rapid trauma intervention within the “golden hour,” the first 60 minutes after injury, can dramatically improve survival outcomes. However, this window is often missed in periphery regions, especially in low-income municipalities in the North that lack proper supplies.
This is why the ICEJ is deeply committed to strengthening Israel’s civilian emergency response, not only to provide life-saving equipment, but to give communities the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone nearby is ready to act. The events of October 7 showed just how critical this is. In many kibbutzim near Gaza, the local civilian security groups were often the first to respond. These teams fought off terrorists for hours, protecting their families and neighbours until reinforcements could arrive. Their courage saved lives, and their preparedness made all the difference. And many already had ICEJ-supplied equipment in their hands to help save these lives.
Each emergency kit provided by the ICEJ is tailored to the specific needs of the receiving community. This strategic approach ensures that every kit contains relevant and life-saving equipment suited to the realities on the ground.
As the threats linger on all of Israel’s borders, the training and life-saving kits we are sponsoring will give local responders the skills and tools they need to save lives when no one else can. Please consider donating to our Israel in Crisis fund to enable us to meet the urgent needs of more vulnerable Israeli communities.
