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ZAKA (Hebrew: זק"א, abbreviation for Zihuy Korbanot Ason, זיהוי קרבנות אסון‎, lit. 'Disaster Victim Identification') is a series of voluntary post-disaster response teams in Israel, each operating in a police district (two in the Central District due to geographic considerations). They are recognized by the Israeli government. The full name is "ZAKA – Identification, Extraction and Rescue – True Kindness" (זק"א - איתור חילוץ והצלה - חסד של אמת‎). The two largest ZAKA factions are Zaka Tel Aviv and ZAKA Search and Rescue.

Key Information

ZAKA faced insolvency before 7 October 2023. Given the job of retrieving the dead bodies after the October 7 attacks, they started fund-raising on 8 October 2023. By 31 January 2024, they had raised over 50 million shekels ($13.7 million). According to Haaretz, ZAKA's conduct in the aftermath of the attacks was unprofessional, including mixing up remains and spreading misinformation about atrocities that never happened in order to raise money.[1][2]

Background

[edit]

ZAKA volunteers respond to the scenes of violent attacks and homicides throughout Israel. The volunteers are trained paramedics and are on call 24/7.[3] ZAKA collects the remains of the dead, including their blood, so that they may be buried in accordance with Jewish religious law. Volunteers are allowed to work on Shabbat, because the sabbath can be broken in matters of life and death.[4]

Members of ZAKA, most of whom are Orthodox Jews, assist ambulance crews, aid in the identification of the victims of violence, road accidents and other disasters, and where necessary gather body parts and spilled blood for proper Jewish burial. They also provide first aid and rescue services, and help with the search for missing persons and participate in international rescue and recovery operations.[5][6][7]

After acts of violence, ZAKA volunteers also collect the bodies and body parts of non-Jews, including suicide bombers, for return to their families. The phrase "Chesed shel Emet" refers to doing "kindness" for the benefit of the deceased, which is considered to be "true kindness", because the (deceased) beneficiaries of the kindness cannot return the kindness.[8]

History

[edit]
ZAKA volunteers working in destroyed Be'eri after the massacre in 2023
Zaka armoured ambulance for use in the West Bank

The organization traces its roots to a group of religious volunteers who assisted in the recovery of human remains after the Tel Aviv Jerusalem bus 405 attack in Israel in 1989, during the First Intifada. ZAKA was formally established in 1995.[4]

During the attack on bus line 405 in 1990, Yehuda Meshi Zahav arrived with other yeshiva boys to provide first aid to the victims. On his way home, he concluded that if in the enemy's view everyone is equal, so too for him. In the 1990s, he arrived at the scenes of suicide bombing attacks in Israel, among other things, and treated the bodies of those killed. As a result, ZAKA (Disaster Victim Identification) was founded. In his capacity as Chairman of ZAKA, he worked for inter-religious and secular reconciliation.[9]

In 2005, ZAKA established a minorities unit with Bedouin, Muslim, and Druze volunteers to serve Israel's non-Jewish communities, primarily Bedouin in the Negev and Druze in the Galilee. These units also function when religious Jews cannot, on the Jewish Sabbath[dubious – discuss] and holidays. According to Jewish law, Jews may violate the Sabbath to save a life, but not to deal with the dead. In 2010, ZAKA said it planned to increase its minorities units to 125 volunteers.[3]

In 2004, a group of ZAKA volunteers flew to The Hague, with the wreckage of the bus destroyed in the Jerusalem bus 19 suicide bombing on 29 January 2004. The wreckage, along with pictures of victims, was taken to Washington, D.C. to urge the United States Government to act against the Palestinian resistance movement.[10] The bus was later displayed at various US universities.[11]

In August 2007, ZAKA members were accused of burning down a secret crematorium in Israel. Most Jews believe Jews should be buried according to religious tradition, not cremated. ZAKA's founder Yehuda Meshi Zahav denied any involvement of ZAKA in the arson but called the existence of the crematorium a "desecration of the dead" and said that the crematorium was "destined to disappear in flames."[12]

In January 2016, after two failed attempts, the United Nations granted ZAKA the status of a 'consultant NGO'.[13]

ZAKA faced insolvency before 7 October 2023. Given the job of retrieving the dead bodies after the October 7 attacks, they started fund-raising on 8 October 2023. By 31 January 2024, they had raised over 50 million shekels ($13.7 million). A Haaretz investigation accused them of "negligence, misinformation and a fundraising campaign that used the dead as props".[1]

Organization

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Its volunteers are almost all ultra-Orthodox Jews.[4] However as of 2010, more than 125 Muslim, Druze, and Bedouin volunteers provided services to non-Jewish victims.[3]

In 2010, ZAKA volunteers numbered 1,500.[3]

The organization says it employs around 4,000 volunteers, though a 2022 investigation by Haaretz, based on "documents and testimonies by senior figures in the organization", said there were fewer than 1,000 volunteers, alleged that the numbers were inflated to increase funding, and found volunteers who said they had not received the biannual training mandated by the Interior Ministry.[14] ZAKA denied the report.[14] In 2017, its annual operating budget was about one million shekels.[15] The New York Times reported a membership of "more than 3,000 volunteers, most of them ultra-Orthodox Jewish men" in 2024.[16]

International rescue and recovery operations

[edit]
  • In late 2004 and early 2005, members of ZAKA provided assistance in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Forensic teams reportedly dubbed the group "the team that sleeps with the dead" because they toiled nearly 24 hours a day at Buddhist pagodas in Thailand that had been transformed into morgues to identify those who died in the tsunami. The experience of ZAKA members, who reportedly see 38 bodies a week on average in Israel, helped the Israeli forensic team to identify corpses faster than many of the other forensic teams that operated in Thailand in the aftermath of the disaster, which placed them in high demand with grieving families.[17]
  • In February 2007, ZAKA sent a 10-person search and rescue team, consisting primarily of rescue divers, to Paris to search for a missing Israeli defense official. The mission was funded by the Defense Ministry at an expected cost of $80,000.[18]
  • In November 2008, ZAKA volunteers went to Mumbai, India following terrorist attacks that included a Jewish center among its targets.[19]
  • Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, a six-man ZAKA International Search and Rescue Unit delegation arrived in Haiti to assist with search and recovery efforts. Working with the Mexican military delegation and Jewish volunteers from Mexico, eight students trapped under the rubble of the collapsed eight-storey Port-au-Prince University building were rescued on the first day after their arrival.[20][21][22]
  • Teams of ZAKA volunteers were sent to Japan in March 2011 to assist in search-and-rescue after the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami.[23]
  • A ZAKA team was part of an Israeli mission to Nepal in late April 2015 to help search for casualties in the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent avalanches.[24]
  • In January 2019, a ZAKA team deployed in Brazil to conduct search and rescue operations following a dam collapse in Brumadinho.[25]

Casualties and injuries

[edit]

Several ZAKA volunteers died as a result of the October 7 attacks. Danny Vovk, a driver, was killed during the Netiv HaAsara massacre.[26]

Widespread psychological trauma was reported among ZAKA volunteers as a result of the scenes that they worked to clean.[16]

Controversies

[edit]

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav

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After Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, ZAKA's co-founder and main figurehead for more than 30 years, was awarded the Israel Prize in March 2021,[27][28] multiple accusations surfaced of his having committed sexual assaults against women, girls and boys over several decades, with the knowledge of others in the community.[29][30][31] Channel 13 reported that ZAKA officials had known about the abuse allegations and worked to silence the claims.[32] Meshi-Zahav subsequently resigned ZAKA leadership and relinquished the Israel Prize.[33]

In response to the accusations, a senior ZAKA official said the organization had now "washed its hands" of Meshi-Zahav and that "given the accusations against him, it's very hard to remember the good that he's done. We always saw him with women and suspected that he was a deviant, but we never suspected he was a pedophile or a rapist. In retrospect, this [the allegations] explains a lot of things we saw over the years.[34] Following a suicide attempt in April 2021, Meshi-Zahav entered a coma and died in June 2022.[33]

Gideon Aran, a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Hebrew University, said in his book about ZAKA that most ZAKA volunteers, while familiar with Meshi-Zahav and the colorful image of himself that he had cultivated, probably had no inkling of his misconduct; only a very few senior members were partially aware of his inclinations, without suspecting there was criminal and pathological behavior involved.[27] Following the scandal, Aran found that aside from a few changes in personnel, the organization's principles, sentiments and activities remained the same, and the damage to its public reputation was minimal.[27]

October 7 attacks

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In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, ZAKA volunteers gave several incorrect reports of atrocities allegedly committed by Hamas, including the binding and burning of babies, that were widely circulated in the media.[35][36] Some of ZAKA's accounts of Sexual and gender-based violence in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel have also been debunked. For example, one volunteer discovered a girl's body with her pants pulled down and concluded that she had been sexually assaulted. Later, it was discovered that Israeli soldiers had in fact dragged the body across the floor, causing the pants to fall.[37]

A ZAKA leader acknowledged mistakes were made: "When we find bodies that are burned or in a state of decomposition, we can easily be mistaken and think the body is a child's ... Our volunteers were confronted with traumatic scenes and sometimes misinterpreted what they saw."[36] ZAKA also stated that they are not forensics specialists. However, the debunked accounts have fed skepticism about Israel's description of the events of the Hamas attacks.[37]

A subsequent Haaretz report stated that in order to get media exposure, ZAKA spread accounts of atrocities that never happened and released sensitive and graphic photos in an effort to shock people into donating.[1][2] The Haaretz investigation accused ZAKA of "negligence, misinformation and a fundraising campaign that used the dead as props".[1] Haaretz also said that while hundreds of ZAKA volunteers did important work under challenging conditions, the organization acted unprofessionally on the ground, often mixing up the remains of multiple victims in the same bag and creating little or no documentation.[1][2]

Key people

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  • Yossi Landau, Head of Operations, Southern Region[38]
  • Rabbi Yechezkel (Hezki) Farkash, Head of Operations, Northern Region[39]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

ZAKA

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ZAKA (Hebrew: זִקּוּי קוֹרְבַּנוֹת אָסוֹן, Zihuy Korbanot Ason, lit. 'Identification of Disaster Victims') is an Israeli volunteer-based established in 1989 and formally incorporated in 1995, specializing in operations, recovery and of human remains in mass casualty events such as disasters and terror attacks, and ensuring the dignified handling and burial of the deceased in accordance with Jewish halakhic principles. With a network exceeding 3,000 trained volunteers, ZAKA maintains 24/7 readiness to respond within —where it serves as the primary NGO for such recovery efforts—and deploys globally to humanitarian crises, providing services irrespective of victims' religious or ethnic backgrounds while prioritizing ritual purity and identification accuracy to aid families and legal processes. United Nations-recognized for its expertise, the organization has participated in international responses to events like earthquakes and tsunamis, though its core operations focus on mitigating the aftermath of violence in , including during the Second Intifada when it handled thousands of victim recoveries.

Mission and Principles

Founding Context

ZAKA, an acronym for Zihuy Korbanot Ason (Hebrew for "Disaster Victim Identification"), originated in 1989 when Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, a Jerusalem-based Haredi activist, assembled a group of ultra-Orthodox Jewish volunteers to address gaps in the handling of human remains following terrorist attacks and accidents. These early efforts focused on meticulously collecting body parts and ensuring compliance with Halachic standards, such as avoiding unnecessary autopsies and maintaining ritual purity, which were often overlooked by secular Israeli police and forensic teams in chaotic scenes involving explosions or shootings. The initiative stemmed from religious imperatives like kavod ha-met (honoring the dead) and the of timely , particularly urgent amid rising Palestinian bombings in the late and early 1990s that scattered remains across public spaces. Formal incorporation as a occurred in 1995, centralizing operations under Meshi-Zahav's leadership and expanding beyond ad hoc responses in to a coordinated national volunteer network. This structuring was driven by the escalating violence of the Second Intifada's prelude, including incidents like the 1994 and bus bombings, which highlighted the need for trained responders capable of forensic-like documentation while preserving Jewish burial integrity—tasks that preserved evidence for identification and legal purposes without violating religious prohibitions. By unifying previously independent Haredi groups, ZAKA filled a niche where state services prioritized over comprehensive recovery, ensuring no remains were left unburied. The founding ethos emphasized and communal duty, with volunteers undergoing basic in biohazard handling and scene to operate alongside and police without compensation. This model proved essential in an era of asymmetric urban terrorism, where over 200 Israelis were killed in attacks between 1993 and 1995 alone, many in dismembering blasts requiring hours of sifting through debris. ZAKA's establishment thus represented a adaptation to Israel's realities, prioritizing empirical recovery protocols grounded in religious causality over broader political narratives.

Halachic Standards and Ethical Framework

ZAKA's operations are fundamentally guided by chesed shel emet, the Jewish principle of performing acts of kindness for the deceased, who cannot reciprocate, emphasizing selfless service in recovery and burial to uphold human dignity. This framework prioritizes rapid identification, respectful handling, and prompt burial in accordance with halachic mandates against desecration of the dead (nivul ha-met) and the requirement to inter all remains intact where possible. Volunteers, trained in these protocols, coordinate with rabbinic authorities for complex decisions, such as operations on , ensuring compliance with Jewish while minimizing disturbance to scenes for forensic needs. Halachic standards dictate meticulous collection of every bodily fragment, including soaked into materials, to enable complete , as Jewish views even minute parts of a corpse as requiring interment to restore wholeness. At processing centers, remains undergo purification similar to taharah, involving washing with water, trimming if necessary for ritual purity, and wrapping in white linen shrouds, accompanied by prayers recited over each body. These procedures extend to non-Jewish victims through broader ethical imperatives like kavod ha-met (honoring the dead), though primary halachic obligations apply to Jewish deceased, reflecting ZAKA's commitment to universal dignity within a Torah-based . The organization's ethical rigor includes psychological preparation for volunteers to confront trauma without compromising halachic precision, fostering a culture where personal sacrifice upholds communal moral imperatives derived from first-hand rabbinic oversight rather than secular protocols alone. This approach has evolved through real-time halachic rulings during crises, such as post-terror recoveries, ensuring adaptability while preserving core standards of reverence and truth in victim identification for familial closure.

Historical Evolution

Inception and Early Operations (1995–2000)

ZAKA, formally known as Zihuy Korbanot Ason (Identification of Disaster Victims), was established in 1995 in by Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, a Haredi Jewish activist, to coordinate volunteer efforts in recovering and identifying human remains from terror attacks and disasters in accordance with Jewish halachic principles. The organization formalized groups of religious volunteers who had previously assisted informally in such tasks, emphasizing the collection of even minute body fragments to facilitate prompt and dignified while minimizing desecration. This inception occurred amid rising Palestinian in during the mid-1990s, including suicide bombings and shootings that scattered remains across attack sites. In its initial years, ZAKA's operations centered on domestic terror responses, with volunteers arriving rapidly to secure scenes, document evidence for identification, and coordinate with Israeli authorities to oppose non-essential autopsies, which are often viewed in as violating . Key activities included meticulous searches at blast sites—such as the 1995 Beit Lid junction bombing that killed 22 civilians and soldiers—and advocacy for halachically sensitive handling of remains amid chaotic forensic processes. By prioritizing ritual purity and thorough recovery, ZAKA filled a niche left by standard emergency services, training volunteers in biohazard protocols and Jewish law to preserve victim dignity and aid families in mourning rituals. From 1995 to 2000, the group expanded from a -based unit to broader coverage across , recruiting over 100 volunteers and acquiring basic equipment like protective gear and transport vehicles, funded primarily through donations. Operations during this period handled dozens of incidents, including the 1996 in that claimed 26 lives, where ZAKA teams sifted debris for remains overlooked by initial responders. This era laid the groundwork for ZAKA's reputation as a reliable partner to police and IDF units, though its growth was constrained by limited resources and reliance on unpaid, ideologically motivated Haredi participants committed to the mitzvah of chesed shel emet (true kindness for the dead).

Growth Amid Terrorism (2000–2010)

The onset of the Second Intifada in September 2000 marked a pivotal escalation in terrorist violence against Israeli civilians, with Palestinian militants launching a campaign of suicide bombings and other attacks that necessitated an urgent expansion of ZAKA's capabilities. In response, ZAKA handled the recovery and identification of over 1,000 victims in its first year of intensified operations, professionalizing its structure to coordinate with Israeli police and emergency services amid scenes of mass casualties from bombings in public spaces, buses, and cafes. This period saw ZAKA evolve from a nascent volunteer group into a critical frontline responder, emphasizing rapid deployment, halachic preservation of remains, and meticulous documentation to aid and . By 2001, ZAKA's volunteer ranks had grown to 600, enabling sustained responses to high-profile attacks such as the Dolphinarium disco bombing in , where 21 Israelis, mostly teenagers, were killed by a suicide bomber. The organization's training protocols were refined to address the psychological toll on volunteers and the logistical challenges of fragmented remains from explosives, fostering greater internal discipline and equipment acquisition. In 2002, amid the peak of suicide bombings, volunteers expanded to 800, including handling the March 27 Passover Seder massacre at the Park Hotel in , where 30 civilians were murdered, underscoring ZAKA's role in restoring dignity to victims while supporting investigations into perpetrator tactics. Through 2003–2005, as the Intifada persisted with over 1,000 Israeli deaths from , ZAKA's forces reached 1,000 volunteers, incorporating specialized units for urban disaster zones and improving inter-agency collaboration. The 2006 Second Lebanon War further tested and broadened these capacities, with ZAKA managing over 100 casualties from rocket barrages and ground operations, highlighting adaptations for rocket impact sites and cross-border recovery. By 2010, volunteer numbers had climbed to 1,500, reflecting recruitment drives motivated by ongoing threats, enhanced training programs, and initial forays into international that built on domestic expertise gained amid persistent . This decade-long growth solidified ZAKA's infrastructure, though it also exposed volunteers to cumulative trauma from repeated exposure to mutilated bodies and ideological .

Institutionalization and Challenges (2010–Present)

In 2012, ZAKA received its first government funding allocation from the Israeli Interior Ministry, enabling round-the-clock operations, enhanced victim assistance during disasters, and expanded volunteer recruitment efforts. This financial support represented a key step in institutionalizing the organization, transitioning it from volunteer responses toward a more formalized structure with sustained operational capacity. By the mid-2010s, ZAKA had professionalized further through the development of specialized units for search, , and victim identification, alongside rigorous volunteer protocols adhering to halachic standards. Volunteer ranks expanded significantly, reaching over 3,000 members by 2023, which facilitated responses to both domestic incidents and international disasters. In 2016, the Economic and Social Council granted ZAKA special consultative status, affirming its role in global humanitarian efforts and opening avenues for international collaborations. Funding diversified to include substantial private donations alongside government grants, with the organization's U.S. affiliate raising nearly NIS 45 million in 2023 alone, primarily post-October 7. Recent initiatives, such as the establishment of resilience and centers offering multidisciplinary trauma support, reflect ongoing efforts to address psychological aftermaths of crises. ZAKA encountered significant internal challenges, including the 2021 arrest of co-founder and former chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, who faced multiple charges of rape, sexual assault, and abuse against at least six victims over decades, prompting scrutiny of leadership accountability. Following the , 2023, attacks, an internal audit revealed irregularities in donation handling, with at least NIS 30 million from post-attack fundraising unaccounted for or transferred without documentation, raising concerns over financial transparency despite the influx from global donors. Operational credibility was also tested, as some volunteers were accused of exaggerating or fabricating graphic atrocity details—such as decapitated infants—for promotional videos and , with Israeli media later debunking specific claims while affirming ZAKA's core recovery work amid the chaos. These incidents highlighted tensions between rapid response imperatives and the need for evidentiary rigor in public communications.

Organizational Framework

Volunteer Composition and Training

ZAKA's volunteer base consists predominantly of Jewish men, including ultra-Orthodox (Haredi), religious, and secular individuals from diverse professions such as students, business owners, and lawyers. The organization maintains over 3,000 volunteers worldwide, with regional variations such as approximately 400 in the alone. While primarily Jewish, ZAKA has incorporated minority volunteers, including over 160 , , and Bedouins from communities like Rameh, Eastern , Segev Shalom, , , and Gush Chalav, as part of coexistence initiatives. Volunteers span various ages and backgrounds but are united by commitment to the principle of shel emet (true kindness), involving selfless service at disaster sites without expectation of reward. Prospective volunteers must meet minimum eligibility criteria, including being married, having no , passing an interview, and preferably holding a for operational mobility. The selection process emphasizes physical stamina, emotional resilience, and dedication, as volunteers often confront graphic scenes requiring fortitude to handle remains with dignity while preserving evidence. Training programs, particularly for minority integration efforts, consist of a 12-session course spanning 2–3 months, covering scene management, for the injured, and protocols for body recovery aligned with halachic standards. Specialized units, such as those for divers or 4x4 operations in missing persons searches, receive additional targeted preparation to ensure rapid, professional response. Ongoing resilience training, including workshops and trauma , supports volunteers post-deployment to mitigate psychological impacts from exposure to atrocities.

Internal Structure and Funding

ZAKA maintains a hierarchical organizational framework with a central overseeing regional branches aligned with Israel's police districts, enabling localized response capabilities. Specialized divisions, such as the Emergency and Security Division, handle targeted operations including body recovery and site security. The organization comprises over 3,000 trained volunteers who undergo rigorous preparation in halachic protocols, forensic techniques, and emergency response. Leadership is provided by a core management team, including CEO Zvi Hasid, who oversees operations; Rabbi Elazar Gafni, head of the association; Chief Rabbi Yaakov Roja, ensuring halachic compliance; Commander Haim Nugelblatt; and Deputy Commander Haim Lorber, both founders with backgrounds in security and policing. Additional key figures include Rabbi Moshe Zvi Gafni, serving as district rabbi, and volunteers like Israel Halperin, who lead projects such as "Menuha Behavod" for dignified handling of remains. This structure integrates rabbinical oversight with operational command to balance religious standards and practical efficacy. As a volunteer-based non-profit, ZAKA's derives primarily from private donations by individuals, Jewish communities, and philanthropic organizations worldwide, supplemented by targeted grants for equipment and training. For instance, in 2024, the Helmsley Charitable Trust awarded $350,000 for emergency medical response enhancements. Affiliated entities, such as ZAKA Inc., reported $4.5 million in revenue in 2023, largely from donations. No routine government subsidies are documented, emphasizing reliance on campaigns, which surged post-October 7, 2023, yielding tens of millions of shekels, though investigations have probed allegations of mismanaged funds from these inflows.

Domestic Response Operations

Handling Terrorist Incidents

ZAKA volunteers are alerted immediately following terrorist attacks in Israel, such as suicide bombings, stabbings, or shootings, and coordinate with to gain access to secured sites. Their operations emphasize rapid recovery of human remains to uphold Jewish halachic requirements for prompt and dignified burial, preventing any desecration of bodies or body parts. In cases of explosive attacks, which often result in fragmentation, teams equipped with protective gear, forensic tools, and biohazard suits conduct thorough searches of the scene, collecting scattered tissue, blood, and personal effects while documenting evidence for police investigations. These recovery efforts distinguish Jewish victims' remains from those of perpetrators or non-Jews, ensuring separation to comply with ; unidentified Jewish fragments are interred in designated mass graves if individual identification proves impossible. ZAKA's meticulous documentation has contributed forensic details, such as bomb fragment locations, aiding counter-terrorism analysis. During the wave of suicide bombings in the early , including the August 9, 2001, Sbarro restaurant attack in that killed 15 civilians, ZAKA teams handled dispersed remains under chaotic conditions, reconstructing partial bodies for identification. Post-recovery, volunteers sanitize attack sites to remove biological traces, mitigating risks and restoring public spaces, a process that underscores their role in both humanitarian and practical aftermath management. This operational framework, refined through repeated responses to Palestinian terrorist incidents since the organization's , prioritizes empirical scene processing over narrative considerations, with volunteers trained to maintain composure amid .

Disaster Recovery Efforts

ZAKA's disaster recovery efforts in encompass the meticulous collection, identification, and preparation of remains following natural calamities, major accidents, and other non-terror incidents, adhering strictly to halachic requirements for prompt and respectful . Volunteers, trained in forensic techniques and biohazard handling, deploy rapidly to secure scenes, document evidence for authorities, and prevent of bodies, often working alongside police, firefighters, and medical teams. These operations prioritize preserving dignity amid chaos, such as scattered or decomposed remains, and have been critical in events where official services are overwhelmed. A prominent example occurred during the , Israel's deadliest civil disaster until 2021, which killed 44 people—including prison staff on a bus—and scorched over 25,000 dunams of land. ZAKA volunteers combed the rugged terrain for charred and fragmented bodies, discovering a pile of about 15 remains in one location, and coordinated with authorities to ensure halachic compliance despite the fire's intensity. Prime Minister and Interior Minister publicly praised their "sacred work" in facilitating identifications and burials. In the 2021 Mount Meron stampede during festivities, which resulted in 45 deaths—primarily from crushing—and over 150 injuries in a narrow accessway, ZAKA teams arrived immediately to manage the overcrowded site, recover victims including children, and support forensic processes under challenging conditions of darkness and crowds. Their role extended to post-recovery coordination, earning commendations for bravery in what was described as one of the most demanding scenes in the organization's history. Beyond large-scale events, ZAKA routinely addresses smaller-scale disasters such as severe road crashes, drownings, and structural failures, responding to an average of 30 unnatural deaths weekly across the country. These efforts include scene cleanup to mitigate health risks and evidence preservation for investigations, underscoring their function as a specialized complement to in preserving both human dignity and public safety.

Role in October 7, 2023, Hamas Atrocities

ZAKA volunteers responded immediately to the attacks of , 2023, which killed over 1,200 people across 22 southern Israeli communities, including civilians at the Nova music festival and residents of kibbutzim such as , , and . Hundreds of ZAKA personnel mobilized to recover bodies and remains, often under ongoing rocket barrages and sniper threats, prioritizing adherence to Jewish burial laws () by collecting fragmented body parts, blood, and even soil soaked with fluids for interment. At the Nova festival site alone, ZAKA collected more than 250 bodies amid scattered vehicles and debris, while in border communities, volunteers sifted through burned homes, collapsed structures, and fields for remains that were frequently charred, dismembered, or booby-trapped by retreating militants. The organization coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and police forensics teams, transporting remains to the Shura military base for identification via DNA and dental records, a process that extended over weeks due to the scale and condition of the casualties. Approximately 120 male volunteers operated near the Gaza border in two-hour shifts to mitigate psychological strain from exposure to mass mutilation and decomposition. ZAKA's efforts filled a critical gap in the initial response, as official units were delayed, allowing the group to handle hundreds of remains, including those of soldiers from breached bases, and provide limited where possible. Volunteers documented extreme brutality in recoveries, such as bound victims with signs of , though some individual accounts of specific atrocities were later questioned or debunked, highlighting the challenges of on-site assessments amid chaos. The operation underscored ZAKA's expertise in mass casualty scenarios but imposed severe emotional tolls, with responders describing scenes beyond prior experiences like the Meron disaster.

International Engagements

Key Global Deployments

ZAKA's international deployments have primarily focused on and major catastrophes where its specialized skills in victim recovery, identification, and dignified handling of remains—guided by Jewish ethical principles adaptable to multicultural contexts—prove valuable. These missions often occur under UN auspices or bilateral invitations, emphasizing rapid response and coordination with local authorities. Since gaining consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council in 2005, ZAKA has responded to over a dozen global incidents, prioritizing areas with significant loss of life and structural collapse. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed over 230,000 people across multiple countries, ZAKA teams assisted in recovery operations in , , , and , focusing on identifying and retrieving bodies in devastated coastal regions. In the aftermath of in August 2005, ZAKA volunteers supported efforts in New Orleans, aiding in the search for remains amid widespread flooding and infrastructure failure that claimed approximately 1,800 lives. A six-member ZAKA International Unit deployed to just 24 hours after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake on January 12, 2010, which resulted in up to 316,000 deaths; the team collaborated with local and international responders to recover and identify victims in and surrounding areas. Similarly, in response to Japan's (magnitude 9.0, over 15,000 deaths), ZAKA provided recovery assistance in affected regions, including forensic support for mass casualty sites. ZAKA mobilized for the April 25, 2015, earthquake (magnitude 7.8, nearly 9,000 deaths) by deploying volunteers to remote areas, where they established mobile morgues and assisted in body recovery under challenging terrain and aftershock conditions. More recently, after the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in and (magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5, exceeding 50,000 deaths), ZAKA's international unit operated for six days in southern , including , recovering victims and temporarily safeguarding ancient Jewish artifacts from a collapsed before their return. In July 2025, ZAKA joined U.S. federal and local teams in following deadly flash flooding along the Guadalupe River, which caused multiple fatalities and widespread destruction; the deployment, led by ZAKA's director, involved in debris-heavy zones across affected counties. These operations underscore ZAKA's role in bridging cultural sensitivities with technical proficiency, though missions are typically short-term and resource-intensive, relying on volunteer mobilization and donor funding.

Humanitarian Recognition and Collaborations

ZAKA received formal recognition from the in January 2016 as an international volunteer humanitarian organization specializing in , enabling expedited deployments to disaster zones worldwide without requiring host country approval in advance. This status positions ZAKA as a UN-designated advisory body for mass casualty recovery, reflecting its established role in global emergency response following operations in events like the and 2015 Nepal earthquake. The organization's training program has been certified by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), a UN-affiliated network coordinating efforts, affirming ZAKA's adherence to international standards for victim identification and extraction in collapsed structures. INSARAG endorsement facilitates ZAKA's participation in joint exercises and enhances its credibility for rapid international activation. In terms of collaborations, ZAKA signed a in November 2020 with the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD), marking the first such agreement between an Israeli entity and UAE counterparts, aimed at and coordinated responses to future international crises and disasters. This partnership underscores ZAKA's expanding role in cross-regional humanitarian networks post-Abraham Accords. Additionally, ZAKA engages in multinational drills with forces and the , as well as seminars at the Inter-American Defense College, to refine in large-scale recovery operations. These efforts complement ZAKA's routine coordination with Israel's for overseas missions, ensuring alignment with national and global protocols.

Achievements and Societal Impact

Preservation of Human Dignity

ZAKA volunteers adhere strictly to Jewish legal principles (halakha) requiring utmost respect for the deceased, including the prompt collection and burial of all body parts to prevent desecration and ensure complete interment. This practice, rooted in the commandment to honor the dead (kavod ha-met), involves meticulous recovery of remains, even small fragments or blood traces, from disaster sites to facilitate dignified burial without delay. Since its formal establishment in 1995, ZAKA has handled thousands of such cases in Israel, coordinating with authorities to minimize invasive procedures like autopsies unless absolutely necessary for identification or legal requirements. In the aftermath of the , 2023, attacks, ZAKA's efforts exemplified this mission amid unprecedented atrocities, where volunteers recovered over 1,500 bodies and fragments from massacre sites, restoring a measure of dignity to victims subjected to and . Teams worked around the clock, often under fire, to reassemble remains and shield them from further exposure, enabling swift burials in accordance with tradition while documenting evidence for investigations. This labor-intensive process, involving thousands of volunteer hours, underscored ZAKA's role in countering the psychological impact of such violence by affirming the sanctity of life even in death. Beyond immediate response, ZAKA promotes human dignity through and , training and international partners on respectful handling protocols to align with Jewish customs, such as covering the deceased and avoiding public display. These initiatives have influenced policy, reducing routine autopsies in and fostering global collaborations that emphasize ethical treatment of remains in multicultural contexts. By prioritizing these values, ZAKA not only fulfills religious imperatives but also contributes to societal resilience, ensuring that victims of unnatural death receive honorable closure. ![ZAKA volunteers handling remains in Kibbutz Be'eri after the October 7 massacre][float-right]

Forensic and Training Contributions

ZAKA volunteers undergo specialized training in forensic techniques, crime scene preservation, and advanced victim identification methods, including DNA analysis and dental records, in coordination with the Israel Police Forensics Department and the National Center of Forensic Medicine. This enables them to document scenes, collect biological evidence such as blood traces, and maintain chain of custody while fulfilling religious requirements for complete recovery of remains. Since 1995, these efforts have contributed to the identification and recovery of over 4,000 victims in disasters and terror incidents, accelerating forensic processes by preserving evidence that might otherwise be compromised. The organization's training programs for its 3,000 global volunteers emphasize both technical skills and psychological preparation, with protocols tested through regular refresher courses and simulations. These programs support ZAKA's response to approximately 10,000 emergencies per year, where volunteers operate specialist units like Shel Emes to handle mass casualties and violent crimes, ensuring evidentiary integrity alongside rapid body recovery. ZAKA extends its training expertise internationally, having instructed over 500 professionals across more than 20 countries since 2000 in victim identification protocols. In February 2025, ZAKA signed a historic agreement with U.S. agencies, facilitated by the Jewish for National Security of America (JINSA), to train over 3,100 sheriffs in forensic preservation techniques for and mass casualty events, focusing on collection while honoring human dignity. This initiative builds on ZAKA's domestic model, adapting Israeli police-vetted methods for global application.

Volunteer Sacrifices

Fatalities and Injuries

Danny Vovk, a 45-year-old ZAKA volunteer and diver from , was killed on October 7, 2023, during the incursion into his community. Vovk reportedly fended off approximately 20 terrorists before succumbing to his wounds, highlighting the risks faced by volunteers residing in border areas who respond to incidents. Physical fatalities among ZAKA volunteers remain rare, as their primary role involves post-incident recovery rather than active combat or initial response. No other verified deaths of ZAKA personnel directly attributable to terrorist actions during operations have been prominently documented in reliable reports. Volunteers have sustained injuries indirectly related to their duties, such as exposure to hazardous scenes involving , structural instability, or biohazards, though specific terror-linked physical injuries are sparsely detailed. Following the , multiple ZAKA teams reported coming under gunfire while retrieving remains in contested areas, increasing the potential for harm, but no confirmed casualties from these encounters emerged in accounts.

Psychological Toll and Resilience

ZAKA volunteers, who routinely handle human remains in traumatic scenarios such as terror attacks and disasters, experience significant psychological strain from exposure to mutilated bodies, mass casualties, and scenes of extreme violence. A study of 87 ZAKA body handlers following terror incidents found that while only 2% met criteria for full (PTSD), 16% exhibited partial PTSD symptoms, with intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors common due to the graphic nature of their work. The , 2023, attacks amplified this burden, with volunteers processing over 1,100 bodies amid unprecedented atrocities, leading to reports of heightened emotional exhaustion and sensory flashbacks, such as persistent smells of death persisting for months. ZAKA estimates that over 30% of its volunteers now contend with PTSD symptoms specifically linked to these events, compounded by the prolonged duration and scale of recovery efforts. Despite the toll, ZAKA volunteers demonstrate notable resilience, often attributed to repressive coping styles—characterized by of distress and focus on —that buffer acute symptoms, as evidenced in the same study where such mechanisms correlated with lower overall . In response to post-October 7 demands, ZAKA established a dedicated Resilience Unit in 2024, offering multidisciplinary support including PTSD-specific therapy, trauma support groups, couples counseling, and integration of Jewish spiritual practices with evidence-based psychological interventions to process and rebuild emotional capacity. These centers, set to expand in 2025, also incorporate physical therapies and exposure techniques, addressing the estimated 1,500 annual casualties volunteers handle and enabling continued service amid ongoing conflicts. CEO Duby Weissenstern has noted that while the work rivals soldiers' trauma in intensity, volunteers' faith-driven fosters long-term endurance, though sustained professional care remains essential to mitigate risks like secondary traumatization.

Controversies and Criticisms

Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav Scandal

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, who founded ZAKA in 1995, faced public allegations of serial in March 2021 following an investigative report by Haaretz journalists Aaron Rabinowitz and Shira Elk, which detailed claims from multiple women and minors spanning over three decades. The accusers described Meshi-Zahav exploiting his status as a respected ultra-Orthodox activist and ZAKA leader—roles that involved aiding vulnerable individuals in distress—to coerce sexual acts, including and molestation of children as young as nine. At least six women initially came forward with accounts of assaults dating back to the , with reports indicating the abuse occurred in contexts such as missing persons searches and community aid efforts organized through ZAKA. The allegations prompted a police investigation announced on March 14, 2021, into dozens of reported , some within the . Meshi-Zahav responded by visiting a to deny the claims, later stating through representatives that interactions with accusers were consensual and occasionally involved monetary payments rather than . Additional testimonies emerged, including a 2014 claim, expanding the accuser count to over a dozen and underscoring patterns of predation enabled by his public persona as an laureate in lifetime achievement (awarded in 2010). On April 18, 2021, amid preparations for his arrest on active cases, Meshi-Zahav attempted , resulting in irreversible brain damage and a persistent . He died on June 29, 2022, at Herzog Hospital in , aged 62, without a or formal charges being filed due to his medical condition. The episode, corroborated across multiple outlets including and , revealed systemic challenges in addressing abuse within insular religious communities, where Meshi-Zahav's influence had previously shielded him from accountability.

October 7 Testimony Disputes

![ZAKA volunteers in Kibbutz Be'eri][float-right] ZAKA volunteers, operating amid the chaos of the , 2023, attack, provided eyewitness accounts of atrocities encountered during body recovery efforts at sites like Kibbutz Be'eri and the Nova music festival. These testimonies, shared with media and at events, included graphic descriptions of mutilations, executions, and , but several specific claims faced scrutiny from Israeli forensic analyses and media investigations due to the organization's lack of specialized training and the religious imperative for rapid burials, which limited detailed examinations. Yossi Landau, ZAKA's international director, described discovering a pregnant in Kibbutz whose stomach had been cut open with the stabbed beside her, a claim reported by outlets including and later debunked by and ZAKA itself after review showed the body was a charred, heavy-set with an electric cable, not a . Landau also alleged finding a in tied up, tortured with chopped fingers and a missing eye, and executed, though no corroborating evidence emerged and some fatalities were attributed to Israeli tank fire during rescue operations. Additionally, Landau reported beheaded children, including a 14- or 15-year-old, which Israeli media and officials could not verify amid broader denials of mass infant decapitations. Chaim Otmazgin, a ZAKA volunteer , claimed to have found a teenage girl's body in with pants pulled down indicating , an account that spread widely but was retracted after military confirmation that soldiers had moved the body, displacing clothing. Otmazgin further accused of prioritizing publicity by blocking other responders to stage scenes. Other volunteers, such as Simcha Greiniman, described naked women tied to trees at the Nova festival and a stabbed through the head with a knife, assertions lacking independent forensic support. A Haaretz investigation revealed ZAKA volunteers disseminated unverified horror stories to solicit donations, creating promotional videos during operations and inventing details for emotional impact, as corroborated by peers from rival organizations. The IDF planned to probe these practices, noting mishandling of remains that complicated identifications. While broader evidence confirms Hamas committed murders, mutilations, and instances of sexual violence on October 7, the disputed ZAKA accounts contributed to global skepticism, with Israeli outlets critiquing the group's reliability more than international media.

Fundraising and Operational Ethics

ZAKA primarily funds its operations through private donations, including campaigns, online platforms such as Jgive, and contributions from international affiliates like Zaka North Inc. and Zaka Inc., which facilitate tax-deductible giving . These U.S.-based entities have received 3/4-star ratings from , reflecting moderate accountability but noting limitations such as incomplete financial statements and small independent boards. Following the , 2023, attack, ZAKA reported a surge in donations, with tens of millions of shekels raised from abroad, particularly through its American branches. An internal audit revealed significant discrepancies in post-October 7 fundraising, with at least NIS 30 million donated to the U.S. Friends of ZAKA in 2023 failing to reach the Israeli organization, prompting questions about fund transfers and oversight. Prior to this, ZAKA's Jerusalem branch faced accusations of inflating volunteer numbers—claiming over 1,000 when actual figures were around 200—to secure millions of shekels in government funding, as documented in a 2022 investigation. Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav was also implicated in court documents from 2021 alleging he used a separate company to solicit donations by misrepresenting it as a ZAKA-affiliated rescue entity, transferring only partial sums to the organization. Operationally, ZAKA volunteers have been criticized for ethical lapses in body recovery efforts, particularly after , where some reportedly prioritized promotional videography and storytelling over procedural dignity, including delays in body handling to capture for appeals. ZAKA members were accused by fellow volunteers of fabricating graphic details from sites to amplify donation drives, with internal disputes highlighting conflicts between rescue protocols and activities. These practices raised concerns about the prioritization of financial gain over the organization's core mandate of respectful victim identification under Jewish law, though ZAKA maintains its actions align with operational necessities in chaotic environments. No formal regulatory sanctions have been imposed, but the incidents have prompted internal reviews and calls for enhanced transparency in both and field ethics.

Prominent Figures

Leadership Transitions

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, ZAKA's founder and chairman since its establishment in 1995, resigned from all leadership roles on March 12, 2021, following police investigations into allegations of and sexual assaults against dozens of victims over three decades. As part of his resignation, Meshi-Zahav relinquished the 2017 for Lifetime Achievement he had received for volunteerism. The organization responded by emphasizing its commitment to operational continuity, with no immediate disruption to volunteer activities. Dubi Weissenstern, who assumed the CEO position in 2013, maintained oversight of ZAKA's executive operations through the 2021 crisis and subsequent years, including the intensified response to the , 2023, attacks. Under his leadership, ZAKA expanded resilience programs for volunteers and international partnerships, amid ongoing scrutiny of the organization's post-Meshi-Zahav. In 2024, ZAKA considered appointing Yossi Schwinger, former CEO of the National Center for the Development of Holy Places, as the new CEO, but faced opposition from families of the 45 victims of the 2021 Meron festival disaster, citing Schwinger's prior role during that incident; the plan was ultimately abandoned, preserving Weissenstern's tenure.

Influential Volunteers

Simcha Greiniman, a ZAKA volunteer with over 32 years of service as of 2024, has played a significant role in the organization's operations, particularly as Deputy Commander of the Modi'in Ilit unit. On October 7, 2023, Greiniman responded to the attacks in southern , where he collected over 600 bodies and body parts from burned houses and vehicles under fire, contributing to victim identification and recovery efforts in devastated communities. His extensive experience includes aiding the sick and wounded internationally, and he has shared firsthand accounts of the atrocities witnessed, emphasizing ZAKA's commitment to restoring human dignity through Jewish burial practices. Greiniman's long-term dedication has helped train and support newer volunteers, enhancing ZAKA's resilience and global response capabilities. Yossi Landau, Head of Operations for ZAKA's Southern Command, is another prominent volunteer who has led critical recovery missions. With prior experience in disasters like the Surfside condo collapse, Landau coordinated the retrieval of remains following the October 7 attacks, documenting scenes of extreme violence in areas such as Kibbutz Be'eri and describing the systematic nature of the killings he observed. His public testimonies to international media have raised global awareness of the scale of the Hamas assault, though some specific claims, such as those regarding executed children, have faced scrutiny and lack of corroboration from other sources. Despite disputes, Landau's operational leadership has been instrumental in ZAKA's rapid deployment and forensic handling of over 1,200 victims processed by volunteers like Rabbi Moshe Halevi, who served 20 years before his death in 2025. These volunteers exemplify ZAKA's emphasis on ultra-Orthodox-led rapid response, influencing the organization's expansion and training protocols amid heightened demand post-2023.

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