(JNS) Amid more than 150 rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has launched an operation to distribute hundreds of protective vests to emergency-response units operating in Gaza, in addition to rescue and civilian-assistance agencies in the southern region.

The undertaking on the part of the Fellowship was prepared in accordance with a program that was arranged in advance and in coordination with Israel’s Home Front Command and the heads of authorities in relevant areas. It was tailored to meet the specific needs that were defined by the respective security officer in each locality.

During the first phase of the operation, the Fellowship will provide 500 protective vests to be distributed in the cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, Beersheva, Netivot, Ofakim, Ashdod and Bnei Ayish, as well as in the regional councils of Eshkol, Hof Ashkelon, Sdot Negev and Sha’ar HaNegev.