For many families in northern Israel, specifically the Galilee region…the violence that erupted in October forced a swift and chaotic evacuation. In towns like Kiryat Shmona and nearby kibbutzim, parents woke their children in the middle of the night, hastily packed essential belongings, and fled as rockets rained down.
Hakim, a resident of one such kibbutz, recalls her harrowing experience: “The clothes I’m wearing are not mine; everything is donations. My husband, my two kids, and I live in one small room now. We’re in limbo, with no certainty about our future.” Her story echoes that of thousands of others who left their homes in pajamas, abandoning everything as fires engulfed their communities.
The devastation is evident in places like Be’eri and Nir Oz, where homes and critical infrastructure lie in ruins. In Nir Oz, even the community’s paint factory—a vital source of livelihood—was reduced to ashes.
Currently, the displaced find themselves scattered across the country in temporary shelters. Over 88,000 residents have been housed in hotels, kibbutzim, or private accommodations in towns like Ein Bokek and Eilat. However, while these locations offer refuge, they are far from home.
The hotels, though comfortable, are not a solution for long-term displacement. Families are crammed into small rooms with little privacy. Parents struggle to provide normalcy for their children, while organizations like IsraAid work to create makeshift schools and offer trauma counseling.
Michal Pinyan, who lost her parents during the attacks, captures the collective grief and uncertainty: “We’re dealing with what comes next. Most of us want to stay together as a community, but we don’t know if or when we’ll return home.”
The displacement has done more than disrupt lives—it has fractured communities. Kibbutzim, once bastions of togetherness, now struggle to preserve their communal spirit. For those from Be’eri, rebuilding may take years, if it happens at all. The kibbutz’s agricultural fields, homes, and shared spaces have been decimated. Families face a deep sense of loss, not only of physical belongings but also of identity. Their lives, rooted in these communities for generations, are now adrift.
As a ceasefire brings a fragile calm to the region, many displaced families hope for a resolution. The looming change in U.S. leadership, with Donald Trump poised to take office, has bolstered optimism that diplomatic solutions may solidify the ceasefire and pave the way for rebuilding efforts. Still, the path ahead is daunting. Israeli officials estimate that many displaced residents will not return home for months, if not years. Entire neighborhoods require reconstruction, and the psychological scars of war will take even longer to heal
This is where your partnership with ENMI comes in. These families need more than temporary shelter; they need stability, hope, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Your contribution to ENMI will help provide:
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- Housing Assistance: Supporting the construction of temporary homes and the repair of damaged properties in the Galilee.
Logistical Support:
With friends like Pastor Saleem and others we are going to aid in the transportation, feeding, and establishing initial resources for them.
By contributing to ENMI, you are not only helping rebuild homes—you are restoring lives and ensuring that the light of Israel continues to shine. Please visit our website today to partner with and join us in this critical mission.
Your support can bring hope to families like Hakim’s, stability to communities like Be’eri, and a future to the thousands who have lost so much. As the war winds down and a new chapter begins, let us be the hands and feet of hope. Together, we can rebuild, restore, and reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel and its people. ENMI is gearing up for this wave of Israelis to go home after 14 months so far.
- The time to act is now. Isaiah 58:7 says, “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? –
- Jesus reiterated this idea in Matthew 25:36-40 – “..I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, (kinfolk, relatives) you did it to me.”
