Ukrainian Refugees in Israel Caught in Crossfire of Hamas Attacks

Over 45,000 Ukrainians who fled war at home now face conflict in their refuge, with some forced to relocate within Israel and others trapped in Gaza.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than 45,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Israel, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics and aid groups.
On Oct. 7, Hamas militants attacked, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages, causing trauma for the Ukrainian refugees in Israel.
Many Ukrainian refugees live in Ashkelon, a city a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip, where the thud of airstrikes and shelling is constant.
Refugee organizations have adapted some of their programs, providing financial assistance and bringing food to people who don’t feel safe leaving their homes.
Some Ukrainians have been forced to move within Israel since the war began, and others are trapped in Gaza, with 160 evacuated so far, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.