Shayetet-13 (Israel navy seals) Activity
Beginning the morning of October 7th, Israel’s Navy SEALs have been engaged hour-by-hour in the defense of Israel:
Freeing hundreds of hostages and killing or capturing more than 100 terrorists on Israeli soil in the first few days, capturing a senior Hamas commander in the process.
Beginning offensive operations similar to this one to eliminate top commanders in Gaza that very first night.
Leading in combat operations from Rantisi Hospital to Gaza harbor to Khan Yunis to Shifa Hospital.
Rescuing hostages from deep within southern Gaza.
FOUNDATION activity
The day war came to Israel on October 7th, we began our efforts to meet the most immediate needs of Shayetet-13 / Israel's Navy SEALs and the broader community. Thanks to the upswell of support and the established partnership and direct lines of communication between the unit, AFINS and our Israeli partner the Atalef Foundation (pictured), our response has been swift and significant.
Summarizing our impact in three areas:
Immediate Israel-wide Crisis Response (October 2023)
Supported a partner in opening two hotels to evacuees from the south and their raise of nearly 2.5 million shekels for the evacuees’ benefit.
Continued to operate our Buddy Line program, supporting the mental health of severely post-traumatic veterans who are at their most vulnerable.
The Injured and the Families of Fallen SEALs (Ongoing)
Meeting the personal and communal needs of the bereaved families of Israel Navy SEALs who have fallen in battle.
Supporting injured SEALs and their families during their hospital stay, their transition home and beyond.
Active and Reservist SEALs
On Saturday morning, October 7th, Shayetet-13 called up 500 reservists and 1,500 (300%) reported for duty, arriving at the base within hours. Among the needs generated by this unprecedented influx of reservists were:
1,000 phone chargers and blankets as well as underwear, socks, bodysuits, toiletries and items for women on the base
appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, mattresses and televisions
support collecting and transporting reserve-duty gear and related items from homes and other bases across Israel
special requests of the Atalef Foundation on behalf of the homefront and war effort
In addition to meeting ongoing infrastructure and strategic needs, our focus has expanded to include:
launching a spouse support program for 500 spouses managing their families and careers alone for weeks on end with minimal communication with their husbands.
developing a SEAL reintegration program combining elements from our suite of programs addressing post-traumatic stress, with the goal of early intervention to reduce longer-term effects.
prioritizing IDF and security service members from the current war in the next cohort of Buddy Line.
Honoring the Fallen
To-date, six Israel Navy SEALs have fallen in battle and 35 have been injured. Their legacies are that of heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. We honor them with a lifelong commitment to their families. May their memories be for a blessing.
ways to support
AFINS community giving and advocacy has allowed us to meet the most immediate needs of the SEALs and their families during this time of extraordinary demands on the SEAL community as it leads in the search for hostages and the hunt for Hamas. As the IDF draws down forces in Gaza, special operations will only increase and the need for our support will grow. Three ways you can help:
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Thank you for your support of the tip-of-the-spear in Israel’s defenses.