Boston Common is set to host a solidarity gathering for Israel today, following an unprovoked rocket attack by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, on Saturday. This event will feature speeches by prominent figures such as Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and multiple Israeli residents in Boston. The gathering, tagged "Gathering in Solidarity with Israel Under Fire," is in response to the brutal Hamas attack which resulted in over 700 casualties according to NBC Boston.
Four Americans and three individuals with connections to Massachusetts are among the deceased, one of whom is the child and son-in-law of a Brandeis University professor. Another casualty has family based in Framingham[1]. President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Rabbi Marc Baker, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, reiterating the organization's stance to stand with Israel, Boston 25 News reports.
Combined Jewish Philanthropies has raised close to $300,000 in response, bringing together almost 600 gifts, with $100,000 already en route to Israel[1]. On the other hand, the Palestinian Youth Movement is planning its own rally at Cambridge City Hall today at 4 p.m., to support their cause, as per NBC Boston.
In retaliation to the Hamas attack, Israel declared war on Sunday and mobilized around 300,000 reservists, continuing with its aim to hit over 1,000 Gaza locations. Hamas claims to have captured over 130 Israelis in Gaza, announcing that four were killed in Israeli airstrikes. However, verifying these details independently poses a challenge, details Boston 25 News. As Israel steps into retaliation, the toll on civilians from both sides elevates, highlighting the intricacies and sorrow surrounding Israeli-Gazan conflict.
