On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a devastating attack that killed over 1,200 people and resulted in at least 200 hostages. This assault led to the obliteration of entire kibbutzim such as Be’eri and Kfar Aza, where dozens of families were massacred.

Israel responded with Operation Iron Swords to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities in Gaza. Yet the suffering has only deepened. The toll — magnified by the actions of Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis — extends beyond immediate human casualties to property damage, displacement, economic fallout, and mental health struggles.

After October 7th, Israel continued to face incessant attacks from Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north. Overall, 1,706 Israelis have been reported killed, including about 900 IDF soldiers, with thousands wounded. More than 10,000 rockets were fired from Gaza and Lebanon, striking Ashkelon, Sderot, and Haifa. Hezbollah’s barrages caused additional losses of 45 civilians and 28 soldiers.

The Houthis launched missiles and drones that hit Tel Aviv and Eilat, contributing to the death toll. Iran’s direct involvement became evident in October 2024 when it fired over 100 missiles at major Israeli cities, followed by a massive aerial assault in April 2024. IDF soldiers, deployed on multiple fronts, face unrelenting combat. Thousands have been injured, while many grapple with the psychological effects of intense, prolonged operations. Families and communities struggle under the weight of ongoing military obligations and high casualty rates.

Hezbollah’s attacks heavily damaged 2,874 buildings in northern Israel, including 841 that must be rebuilt. Metula was particularly hard-hit (over 60% destroyed), while Kiryat Shmona saw 382 buildings damaged. Mass evacuations compounded the suffering: over 90,000 northern residents were displaced, and entire communities in the south also evacuated due to near-daily attacks. Hamas’s rocket barrages similarly ravaged homes, schools, and hospitals in southern Israel.

The prolonged conflict has severely disrupted Israel’s economy. Northern Israel endured extensive disruptions due to labor shortages and direct farm damage; egg production declined by nearly 25%, forcing the import of 45 million eggs. Private consumption fell by 26.9%, business investment by 67.8%, exports by 18.3%, and imports by 42%. About 46,000 businesses closed by mid-2024, with the Port of Eilat declaring bankruptcy after eight months of inactivity. Major firms like Samsung Next halted operations, and Intel canceled a $25 billion planned factory. Tourism plummeted amid widespread flight cancellations and record-low hotel occupancy rates. Meanwhile, consumer spending plummeted by 27%, reflecting growing uncertainty.

The psychological impact of this conflict is deep and far-reaching. Civilians face the constant threat of rocket fire and potential displacement. Because rocket attacks can and do occur at any time, there is a very real sense that for a generation of people, at no time and place in Israel can you feel safe. Children in border regions show alarming spikes in anxiety, depression, and PTSD; schools often close or operate intermittently, destabilizing families further.

The psychological consequences can persist for years, affecting both veterans and civilians.  According to the Ministry of Health, “The scale of need continues to outpace available resources,” even with NGOs deploying mobile trauma units in the most affected areas. Soldiers, many of them reservists, confront prolonged deployments that heighten risks of PTSD, depression, and marital strain. There has been a notable increase in divorces among military families, signaling the extensive societal cost of the conflict.

Critics argue that an earlier ceasefire could have prevented additional suffering. However, Israeli leadership worries that suspending operations too soon would allow adversaries — Hamas, Hezbollah, and others — to rearm and embolden future kidnappings. Israel also wants to deter Iran’s proxies and views concessions as a potential security risk. Past ceasefires, they note, often led to renewed attacks, especially when Hamas used civilian human shields, complicating humanitarian efforts.

Once again, Israelis and Jews are asked to demonstrate resilience wins over suffering. The toll — measured in lost lives, strained mental health, economic instability, and societal upheaval — underscores the conflict’s far-reaching impact.

Israel highlights the risks of leaving existential threats unresolved. As hostilities persist, the urgent priority remains finding a resolution that addresses the immediate humanitarian crisis while ensuring long-term security and stability for Israel and the entire region. The innocent civilians of Israel have endured immense hardship, extending well beyond the tragic events of October 7th.

Ed Gaskin is Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and founder of Sunday Celebrations.