Updates from the War and Moving Forward
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June 25, 2025 to present
Life here may look like it’s getting back to normal—the economy is moving again, schools are open—but for the village and Israel, nothing feels normal. The war between Israel and Hamas still rages on. They are even under threat from missile fire coming from Yemen. Every day, soldiers continue to fight in Gaza. Every day, there are more who are killed or injured. Some of them are graduates of the Children's Village. Some are the brothers of the children who live here. And because the country is so small, it is only one degree of separation. We all know someone and we attend many funerals.
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For almost two years now, Israel has been living through an unimaginable, existential war. The children, like all children across Israel, are growing up in fear. They hear sirens, they watch the news, they feel the tension in the air. They are frightened and anxious, and they desperately need emotional and therapeutic support to cope with the trauma of war. This has been, and continues to be, our mission—standing beside them, helping them carry what no child should ever have to carry.
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My hope, like everyone in Israel and across the world, is that this war will finally end. That the 48 kidnapped people will come home. That Israel can rebuild, heal the wounded soldiers and civilians, that I can visit and speak with children at the village and many of my family members in Israel, so Israel can finally return to a life of peace, safety, and normalcy for all, including the Palestinians too.
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February 12, 2025
It has been very scary for the village. During the war, one of their main transportation vehicles was damaged by missiles (see pieces below of the missile) while on the way to a hospital in Haifa. During this incident, a guide and a child from the village were injured while traveling for a medical examination at the hospital in Haifa. The Children's Village in Karmiel , along with all of Israel, went through one of the most challenging periods, during which we did our best to provide the children of the village love, security, and protection for their ongoing healthy and proper development.
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These days, we are working hard to support the village children. Many children have gone through difficult experiences due to the numerous alerts during missile attacks. Many children suffer from significant anxiety, fear of sleeping at night, and the need for adult accompaniment to classes and activities due to concerns about alerts.
This morning, after many months, we were fortunate to receive a new vehicle (see picture below) to replace the previous vehicle that was damaged in the missile attack and was no longer fit for travel. This vehicle will serve the village for transporting the children, accompanying them to treatments and psychological evaluations, outings for activities and trips outside the village, and more.
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I would like to thank you for the great support and help to the village. The wartime period that may still renew itself causes severe harm to the village children, and we are required to be strong for the children. In order to cope, we need all the help we can get, and I would like to say on behalf of the children and the village staff a great thank you. The knowledge that we are not alone warms our hearts and gives us all the strength to continue for the sake of future generations and the young children. Together, we are strong, and we will succeed.
Thank you,
Oren Vazana
Director of the Children's Village Karmiel.
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January 28, 2025
We are overjoyed to see some of the hostages return home—this is a moment of hope and celebration for Israel and for all who have been praying for their safe return. While we rejoice in this incredible news, we also remain steadfast in our commitment to those still waiting to be reunited with their families. Our hearts remain with them, and we will continue to stand strong until every hostage is brought home. Am Yisrael Chai!
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November 17, 2024
The village has been under missile attacks and many alarms for three months now. The children of the village are going through difficult times, with many anxieties and regression in many areas (behavior, studies, self-confidence and more). The village team is constantly with the children, supporting and accompanying them with great love; during the nights, the children sleep in spaces protected from the missiles, and the village team is awake by their side.
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The village invests a lot of money in the complex reality that requires essential resources that we don't have today, for example: additional guides, night guards, equipment for shelters, emotional treatments for children, increasing the security of the village, sending food to the families of the children who lost their jobs due to the war, help to the families of the children who were evacuated from their homes due to the war and more.​ The children of the village get a warm home despite all the challenges.
September 29, 2024
The current situation in Israel has escalated dramatically, with the Gaza war now extending into a conflict with Hezbollah in the north. For Israeli children living in northern Israel, particularly near the Lebanese border, the situation is especially dire. Over 60,000 people have had to evacuate their homes due to the threat of Hezbollah rocket attacks. Families are being torn apart, with some children separated from their parents for safety reasons. Many of these children are now staying in villages and safe zones, like the one your family is raising money for. These villages have become a lifeline, providing not just shelter but also emotional support for at-risk children in this time of crisis.
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The ongoing violence adds tremendous stress, fear, and uncertainty to their lives, as they are constantly under threat from rocket fire. The emotional toll of living in such an environment is devastating, and the village you are supporting plays a critical role in helping these children cope with the trauma while ensuring they have a safe place to stay and receive care during these challenging times.
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The funds being raised are essential for maintaining these safe havens and ensuring that these children, many of whom are already vulnerable, continue to receive the care, support, and sense of stability they so desperately need.
In addition to the challenges the children face, we've been in touch with our dear friend Zohar, whom we met 11 years ago (you can see his picture on the front page sucking a lollipop). Zohar is part of one of Israel's top fighting units and has personally pledged to defend his country. It’s a frightening and uncertain time, as we've been texting him between his missions, hoping for his safety. We think of him constantly, knowing he is on the front lines of this dangerous situation. His bravery and dedication only add to the gravity of what is happening and remind us how critical it is to support the children and families affected by this war.
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June 13-24, 2024
A state of emergency has been declared in Israel due to the war with Iran. Outside of essential emergency services—such as hospitals, health clinics, food stores, and gas stations—all workplaces and services are forced to close.
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For the children in our village, as for all children across Israel, life has come to a sudden stop. We are required to remain in protected spaces as missiles, rockets, and other weapons are fired on us relentlessly from Iran toward Israel. Some of the missiles have been so close to us. Normal days, usually spent with school, activities, play, and laughter, are now days of fear, uncertainty, and confinement for everyone.
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November 24, 2024
A ceasefire began between Israel and Lebanon, but the IDF remains stationed at the border, ready to act in Lebanon if necessary to prevent Hezbollah from regaining strength and threatening Israel again.
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From the very start of the war until the ceasefire, most of the children in the village had to be evacuated to safer places out of fear for their lives. Those who remained in the village were cared for day and night—both mentally and physically—by the dedicated staff. With schools closed, they also worked to give them structure, purpose, and employment, so they would not feel lost in the chaos.
During this time, the children live under the constant shadow of missile and rocket fire. Alarms ring out at all hours, forcing them into protected spaces again and again. The fear is overwhelming, and it is leaving deep marks on their young hearts.
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Now that this ceasefire with Lebanon has begun, life is inching back toward normal. The children are returning to the village, back to their schools, and slowly to routines that remind them of safety and stability. But the memories of sirens, nights spent in shelters, and the uncertainty of war remain with them—reminders of how fragile peace truly is, and how important it is to continue supporting their healing and resilience.
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October 8, 2023
Hezbollah terrorists launched rockets and gun attacks on communities near the Israeli–Lebanon border. Families were forced to flee their homes, lives were lost, and the entire region was thrown into fear and uncertainty. Many families had to come to the village because they had no means of support.
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For the children in the village, the effects are immediate and deeply felt. They hear the sirens, they see the news, and they sense the fear in the adults around them. Some of them have brothers and relatives serving on the front lines. They are running back and forth to their safe place. The constant threat of violence leaves them anxious, frightened, and struggling to understand a world that feels unsafe.
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October 7, 2023
​Hamas terrorists carried out a horrific massacre in the communities near the Israel–Gaza border. Families were shattered, lives were stolen, and an entire nation was shaken to its core. It is impossible to put into words the depth of pain, fear, and grief that followed.
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