In the previous article, the focus was on the biblical foundation that shapes ZAKA’s work. At its core stands the understanding of Adam – humanity. Every human being is created in the image of God. This dignity is not something that can be earned or lost. It is inherent.
ZAKA’s mission is rooted in this profound respect for human dignity, which continues even after death.
Formed some thirty years ago during the intifadas, ZAKA emerged to care for those who could no longer be saved, ensuring that no life was left without honour. Volunteers collect and identify remains, offering proper burial and quiet Psalms amidst tragedy.
Their work transcends judgement: every life, even that of an attacker, is treated with equal care, reflecting the belief that human worth is inherent and unshaken by circumstance. ZAKA restores dignity to places scarred by violence and brings solace to grieving families.
In this, ZAKA reflects something essential about Israel. Beneath the headlines and the tensions, there remains a deeply rooted understanding that human life is sacred.
A Reality Beyond the Headlines
ZAKA is often associated with large-scale national tragedies. These moments are visible and leave a lasting impression. Yet the daily reality is broader. Across Israel, calls come in continuously. Road accidents, drownings, suicides, fires, and cases where people pass away alone and are only discovered after time has passed.
These moments rarely reach the news, yet they form a significant part of the work. In each situation, the task is not only technical. It is deeply human.
Nearly 4,000 volunteers across Israel, alongside another 2,500 around the world, respond to these calls. They come from all walks of life. They are not defined by profession, but by a willingness to step into situations from which others instinctively withdraw.
Texas – Extending Knowledge Beyond Israel
In July 2025, following devastating floods in Texas, ZAKA was invited to assist in recovery efforts. Entire areas had been affected, and locating victims proved complex. Working alongside local authorities, ZAKA teams applied experience developed in Israel. Technology and analytical methods were used to understand how water, terrain, and debris interact, helping to identify likely locations of victims.
This work took place shortly after the direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, during a period when Israeli cities had come under missile and drone attacks. Even so, a team traveled to assist The response was not determined by geography, but by need.
Bondi – Remaining When Others Leave
In December 2025, during a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi, Sydney, a terror attack shook the Jewish community. Lives were lost, and many more were affected.
ZAKA was present at the scene, assisting in the immediate aftermath. But what followed was equally important. In the days after the attack, as attention began to shift, families remained with their loss. Mourning does not follow a timeline.
With the support of Christians for Israel Australia, a ZAKA team was able to remain on the ground. Volunteers visited families, sat with them, and offered presence in a time when words were often insufficient.
Communities that stand with Israel often do so from afar. In this case, Israel came to stand with them.
Crans-Montana – A Shared Responsibility
At the beginning of 2026, a devastating fire in a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, resulted in multiple fatalities. ZAKA was asked to assist.
With the support of Christians for Israel Switzerland and Austria, teams were able to work alongside local authorities. The environment was different, but the responsibility remained the same: to approach the situation with care, precision, and respect. In moments like these, what becomes visible is not only the work itself, but the values behind it.
Back in Israel – A Reality That Does Not Pause
While international missions are significant, the majority of ZAKA’s work remains in Israel. The period following the confrontation with Iran and ongoing tensions with Hezbollah has not brought a return to normal. Pressure remains. Uncertainty continues.
At the same time, everyday incidents do not stop. Emergencies do not pause for war. ZAKA volunteers move between these realities – from national crisis to personal loss, often within the same day.
Netanya – A Reflection of Daily Reality
Recently, in Netanya, two young brothers were caught by the sea.
The older brother was rescued and fought for his life for several days before passing away. The younger brother was declared missing, and a large-scale search began.
For ten days, teams searched along the coastline and in the water. Our divers, and other volunteers worked together ZAKA was part of that effort. Eventually, after a complex and prolonged operation, the younger brother was found. This story did not make international headlines. Yet it reflects the reality on the ground.
The Coastline – Where Time Matters
Operations along Israel’s coastline present specific challenges. Distances are long. Access is limited. Equipment must be moved quickly. Conditions change rapidly.
In such situations, response time is critical. ATVs enable teams to move efficiently along the shore, transport equipment, bring jet skis into the water, and evacuate victims when necessary. They are not an addition to the work. They are essential. Without them, valuable time is lost.
With the summer season approaching, the urgency increases. Yet the need exists throughout the year. Preparedness determines the ability to respond.
A Practical Expression of a Deeper Calling
Across all these moments – from Texas to Sydney, from Switzerland to the beaches of Israel – a common thread emerges. ZAKA volunteers respond where needed. They do not choose the circumstances, but they choose to show up.
For those who feel connected to this work, there are times when support becomes tangible.
At present, one such need is for two ATVs to support the teams operating along Israel’s coastline.
This is not an abstract project. It directly impacts the ability to respond in moments where time matters most.
ZAKA’s work is not defined by a single event. It is defined by a continuous willingness to act – grounded in the belief that every human being is created in the image of God, and that this dignity remains, even in the most difficult circumstances.
In that, it reflects the true heart of Israel.
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