Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel

- Michael Balaban
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran is currently in place, but it remains fragile. Just hours after it was announced, rockets were fired again. In Be'er Sheva, five people were killed before the pause took hold. In Iran, some welcomed the lull with cautious relief. Many fear it won’t last.

Moments like this invite the world to look away — to believe the worst is behind us.

But for the families of the hostages still held in Gaza, nothing has changed.

Fifty people remain in captivity.

Some are elderly. Some are injured. All are being held against their will — without contact, without certainty, and without time.

Their families wake each day not knowing whether their loved ones are alive. And as global attention shifts to political developments and ceasefire negotiations, the pain of their absence grows quieter — but no less urgent.

Last weekend, the Israeli military recovered the remains of three hostages taken into Gaza: Yonatan Samerano, Ofra Keidar and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson. All three were killed during the Oct. 7 attacks.

• Yonatan Samerano, 22, had been attending the Nova music festival. Friends described him as magnetic, joyful and full of promise.
• Ofra Keidar, 71, was a retired teacher and artist from Kibbutz Nir Oz. She was a mother and grandmother who infused her home with warmth and creativity.
• Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, 19, had just begun his army service. He came from a family of Holocaust survivors and was deeply committed to protecting others.
  
  

Their deaths — and the long months it took to bring them home — are a reminder of what is at stake, and why we cannot allow the hostages to be forgotten.

As the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said this week:

“Ending the Iran operation without securing the release of the Gaza hostages would be a grave diplomatic failure. Those who can reach a cease-fire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza.”

So what can we do?

We can use our voices — clearly, compassionately and persistently.

Speak up. When you hear confusion, offer context. Share facts. Help others understand the difference between military targets and civilian ones.

Refocus attention. Keep the hostages in the public eye. Share their names, their stories and the urgency of bringing them home.

Take action.

• Sign and share the petition from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
• Call your elected officials and ask them to support humanitarian efforts and diplomatic pathways to secure hostage releases.

If you’re seeking accurate, thoughtful coverage and analysis, I encourage you to explore these trusted sources:

• ADL – Disinformation and How to Respond
• Unpacked Podcast – What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel
• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia resource

Thank you for staying engaged — for asking questions, for sharing truth and for keeping compassion at the center of our response.

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