FIDF Conducts Emergency Winter Operation

Ben Gurion Airport, Israel (December 20, 2023) – Sunday marked the culmination of a monumental, five-week initiative organized by Friends of the IDF (FIDF) in which 150 tons of essential winter clothing and gear, totaling $10,128,940, was shipped to the courageous soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the front lines fighting to restore peace and security in Israel following the barbaric attacks by Hamas on October 7.

The massive effort, dubbed the “Winter Clothing Operation,” involved the purchase of 2,647,013 items and their delivery to Israel on two chartered 747s on November 22 (585,132 items) and December 4 (368,951 items), along with cargo flights containing 103,764 items, and El Al flights carrying 429,836 items.

Essential items sent included:

·      200,136 warm hats

·      47,556 neck gaiters

·      184,093 gloves

·      327,179 thermal pants

·      320,926 thermal tops

·      30,823 fleece blankets

·      500,000 t-shirts

·      479,994 long socks

·      483,296 men’s underwear

·      50,010 women’s underwear

·      10,000 sleeping bags

·      13,000 tactical gloves

Last month, in anticipation of the cold months ahead, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) approached FIDF with an urgent request for essential winter items for the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and reservists in active duty. FIDF swiftly raised funds, sourced and purchased the requested gear, and organized its shipment to Israel, ensuring each item aligned with the IDF’s requirements and specifications.

“Through our daily communication with the IDF, we understand their greatest needs recognize that these essentials can make all the difference for combat soldiers, who are making the most incredible sacrifices, during this war,” said Steve Weil, Chief Executive Officer of FIDF. “As the IDF’s sole designated partner in the US, FIDF prioritizes every single request, and we are grateful to our generous supporters who allowed us to fulfill this and every other IDF need.”

One hundred percent of current donations to FIDF are going towards the war effort.

See photos from Ben Gurion Airport below.

Photo credit: Ori Shemesh, courtesy of FIDF.