Ogen activates emergency command center as "Operation Roaring Lion" triggers a parallel economic crisis across Israel

Social lender Ogen provides interest-free loans and financial counseling to 5,000+ Israelis as "Operation Roaring Lion" creates a domestic economic crisis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 6:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Ogen

A Parallel Crisis on the Home Front

While military operations continue to dominate the headlines, a secondary financial crisis is unfolding within Israeli households and the small business sector. The economic strain is particularly acute for families and entrepreneurs who were already struggling to recover from the October 7 attacks, subsequent escalations with Hezbollah, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since "Operation Roaring Lion" began on February 28, 2026, the disruption has been immediate, with thousands facing sudden income loss as employees are called to reserve duty and commercial activity stalls.

Ogen Activates Emergency Command Center

In response to the rapid deterioration of domestic financial stability, Ogen has activated a dedicated Emergency Command Center. The organization is providing interest-free loans to households and subsidized low-interest credit to small businesses and nonprofits. Staff and volunteers have been mobilized to accelerate loan approval processes, ensuring that funds can be delivered within days. This intervention is seen as a critical "first responder" action to prevent families from falling into high-interest debt traps and to keep small businesses from permanent closure.

Massive Scale of Financial Support

Ogen’s current mobilization follows a sustained period of heavy activity. Since the October 7 attacks alone, the nonprofit has disbursed nearly 500 million NIS in emergency credit. However, the current "Operation Roaring Lion" has driven a new, even larger wave of demand. In the first few weeks of the operation, more than 5,000 Israelis—including reservists called away from their livelihoods and nonprofits providing essential services—have reached out for support. These numbers are expected to grow significantly as the conflict in the north continues to displace families and disrupt local economies.