Zaka spokesperson Israel Hassid describes the rise in these cases as "deeply troubling"—a phenomenon he’s never witnessed at such intensity over so short a period. Our volunteers are entering homes where the only warning signs were the smell of decay and neighbors noticing untouched food parcels on doors. In one tragic instance, an elderly man in Bnei Brak was found only after a Purim package remained untouched for days, and a strong odor raised alarm. Dr. Roy Verona, a senior geriatric expert, said: “Loneliness can kill.” Over 85% of elderly citizens in Israel live independently, outside of care homes. Without community connection, without regular check-ins, their lives hang in a fragile balance. And with no extreme weather to blame, we are forced to confront a harsher truth: social isolation has become a silent killer. Our volunteers don’t just handle the deceased—they protect the living. We are launching initiatives to raise awareness, strengthen community vigilance, and increase our emergency response capabilities. | 
