INTO THE NEW YEAR 2024

We are now 10 days into the New Year, 2024, and 97 days into Israel's war against Hamas. Its been a long time since I last updated and this one has been written and rewritten several times because as fast as I write events overtake me. It is also very difficult to concentrate and the usual busyness of life seems even more frenetic. Then, how can I express the sorrow and the horror of this ongoing war? How can I explain the emotions we are all experiencing? How can I explain the complexities of the situation? It just seems overwhelming, but I will try. 

There were no public firework displays to bring in the New Year in Israel this year, but on the stroke of midnight, our enemies in Gaza fired at least 27 missiles into Central Israel, lighting our skies. You can see the rockets being intercepted in the video in this news bulletin: https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-stroke-of-midnight-hamas-attacks-israel-with-heavy-new-year-rocket-barrage/

The war continues and I must thank all of you who pray for Israel. You have no  idea how important your prayers are. Often in the midst of all it is difficult to calm oneself enough to pray, except just to cry "Help, LORD, help". We need your support and prayers like never before. 

Israel is now fighting a war on 7 fronts: 

THE SOUTHERN FRONT - GAZA

The IDF continues to rout out the Hamas terrorists, destroying their tunnels, weapons and weapons manufacturing facilities.

 The northern part of the Gaza Strip has more or less been brought under Israeli control but just two days ago, a terrorist unit in the north managed to fire off a volley of at least 7 medium range missiles into the central region of Israel. The IDF has pulled some thousands of soldiers out of the northern Gaza strip and sent some home for rest, but the fighting continues there, as the remaining groups of terrorists are neutralized and ordnance and infrastructure destroyed. 

There are many international calls to allow the return the civilian population to the north, but it is still too early. Not only are many of the buildings destroyed but so is the infrastructure, such as water and sewage. Homes and streets are still extremely dangerous because of unexploded ordnance and the booby traps and mines laid by Hamas in the streets and private homes, even in children's bedrooms and hidden in their toys.  

In the southern part of the Gaza Strip the battles are raging fiercely, although the remaining Hamas battalions are separated from one another and surrounded. However there is still much to do there to eliminate the Hamas threat. In the last day alone the IDF eliminated around 150 terror targets, including 15 underground tunnel shafts as well as rocket launchers, missiles, UAVs, and explosive devices. Additionally, a rocket-manufacturing machine was destroyed. This is just a typical day on the southern Gaza front. 

 The IDF is making steady progress but must move slowly and carefully because of the nature of the crowded alleyways, booby trapped homes, tunnels and streets, and the use of human shields, often children, by Hamas. Our military leaders are warning that the war in Gaza will continue for many more months or even years. 

The clock is ticking for the survival of the 136 Israeli hostages, mostly civilians and including at least 10 children, still being held by Hamas. Many of the hostages suffer from chronic illnesses and are not receiving their medication, others are elderly and it is likely that many of the women being held have been impregnated by their captives. It is believed that some  are already dead, but Hamas has not permitted the Red Cross or any other organization to check on the welfare of the hostages contrary to the internationally agreed rules of war. Those hostages that were released around 6-7 weeks ago had all lost a lot of weight due to starvation rations and had not received adequate medical care (some were injured and others have chronic illnesses). They had been moved from place to place, were kept in dark isolation in tunnels and private homes, forbidden to speak aloud, and in some cases physically and sexually abused. The IDF has found cages in tunnels where hostages had been kept. All were psychologically abused. What is the condition of those who are still in captivity? It is believed that some are already dead. You can see the testimony of two women who were released in these links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MxEngtD5xc  and   https://www.timesofisrael.com/freed-hostage-mia-schem-i-experienced-hell-everyone-in-gaza-is-a-terrorist/?utm_campaign=most_popular&utm_source=website&utm_medium=article_end&utm_content=5

Imagine the agony of those who were released but had to leave loved ones behind, and of those waiting and waiting for their loved ones to be released and brought home, or for even just any reliable news of them. 

In spite of the advancement of the IDF and the destruction of 'mountains' of Hamas ordnance, we are still being targeted by rockets and missiles coming out of Gaza. The rate of rocket fire has slowed but there is still a daily barrage of rockets in the south and frequent volleys of larger missiles into Central Israel, like that fired into the Tel Aviv region at midnight on New Year's Eve. Under the entire Gaza strip, lies "Gaza Hatachton"  (lower Gaza), a honeycomb of hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, bunkers, and military emplacements and control rooms.  It will take months if not years to search and destroy these. Progress must be slow and systematic lest more hostages are accidentally killed (3 have already been killed when they were mistaken for terrorists), and so that intelligence can also be gathered. Hundreds of thousands of computer files have been captured and tens of millions of shekels (aid money sent to Hamas for distribution to the civilian population but instead used for their war machine).

According to the IDF around 15,000 rockets and missiles have been fired into Israel since October 7 killing 15 Israelis and injuring around 700. Three thousand rockets were fired on October 7th alone. The death toll would be much higher were it not for our access to bomb shelters, and the Iron Dome defense system that shoots down most of those headed for built up areas. Around 10-20% of rockets fired by Hamas fall short into Gazan territory adding to the death toll of Gazans. According to Gazan sources some 23,000 Gazans have been killed so far, but this number cannot be confirmed and includes civilians and operatives, and those killed by their own rockets. In this war is difficult to distinguish between civilians and operatives. The Hamas terrorists do not all wear a uniform and often dress as civilians, women or even as Israeli soldiers. In addition many so-called civilians are not only cooperating and supporting Hamas, but actively participating in the war. Testimony has revealed that at least one family captured Israeli hostages on October 7 and then sold them to Hamas. 

Since the incursion of the IDF into Gaza some 519 Israeli soldiers and 60 police officers have been killed and at least 6,000 injured. This includes the 334 soldiers among those killed in the massacre of October 7th. 

Every Israeli knows someone killed or injured, or held hostage, or serving in the battle front. We are all mourning and suffering  various levels of trauma and ongoing anxiety for the future. What is very impressive however is the mobilization not only of reserve soldiers but also the general public. Everyone is doing something to help, whether it is cooking meals for soldiers, providing meals, clothing and equipment for soldiers,  and the displaced. This song has been #1 in Israel for weeks and reflects the spirit of this resilient and amazing nation. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p3rtnQ_7y4

Around 250,000 Israelis have been displaced from the Gaza border region in the south and the Lebanon border region in the north. Many of those have lost everything and fled only with the clothes on their back, with their homes totally destroyed. The government is housing them in hotels and no one knows how long this must continue. All are anxious to get out of the hotels where they have been cooped up in small rooms with their kids for three months now, and some have even returned to the border towns in spite of the danger, but others have nothing to return to and there is no alternative housing available. 

As I said earlier, some of the reserve soldiers, after over 3 months fighting in Gaza, are being released now and coming home. The adjustment back to civilian life is very hard and many are suffering severe PTSD. One soldier told my friend that he had fought in 6 wars before but had never seen anything like the atrocities committed by Hamas. He said it was like looking into the very face of Satan. A few days ago (07/01) the Cabinet approved a 9 million wartime grant to assist reservists who were called up. Even with these grants it will not come close to any real compensation for having risked their lives for the nation. These men and women left their spouses and kids and have been fighting for 3 months, having left their jobs, businesses and studies. Many too have paid the ultimate price and a very large number have suffered life-changing injuries. With the war dragging on and with tensions increasing on other fronts, it is by no means certain other reservists will be released, nor that even those released will not be called up again at some point. 

THE NORTHERN FRONT - LEBANON, IRAQ, SYRIA and IRAN

Since the outbreak of war in Gaza, Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been carrying out constant attacks on our northern communities. These daily attacks have been relentlessly escalating but it is not considered a full-scale war as yet (but its just a question of semantics. The northern settlements have largely been evacuated but security personnel, essential workers and some civilians remain. The terrorists in Lebanon have been using anti-tank fire (RPGs) to attack Israeli communities and these cannot be stopped by the Iron Dome. Israel has been responding to this fire, by eliminating terror cells and military installations, but trying not to escalate the situation. 

Nine soldiers and several civilians have been killed by rocket and mortar fire on the northern border. 

It has been revealed that in Lebanon too, there is a vast network of undergrounds tunnels, bunkers and military posts, even more sophisticated than those of Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah boasts that it has at least 150,000 missiles, many of which can reach any target in Israel with pinpoint accuracy. They also have a highly trained army of some 60-100,000 soldiers. They are a much more formidable enemy than Hamas, should they decide to unleash all their forces.   

A few days ago (02/01) someone assassinated Saleh Arouri, the Hamas second in command, in a targeted attack in Beirut. Although Israel has not taken responsibility for this attack. Hezbollah leader, Hasan Nasrallah, is threatening revenge. We are  on high alert expecting a response from Lebanon. On Shabbat (06/1) Hezbollah fired 62 rockets into the northern region of Israel. Nasrallah said this was just the initial part of his revenge for the killing of Arouri. We are all on high alert waiting for any further response. Hospitals have been instructed to prepare for an influx of thousands of injured in the event of a large scale attack. 

At the outbreak of the war with Hamas, the US aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Eisenhower, joined the USS Gerald. F. Ford strike group in the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support for Israel and to act as a deterrent to Hezbollah. Last week the USS Eisenhower left the Mediterranean en route to the USA. I do not know why this decision was made but it seems to me that attacks from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq have increased since it left. 

SYRIA AND IRAQ

There has also been a steady trickle of missiles and unmanned aircraft and armed drones infiltrating Israeli airspace from Syria and Iraq. Israel is responding to this threat and is constantly attacking terror targets in these countries. Iran is supplying Hezbollah and Hamas with sophisticated weapons, including the large, long-range missiles. The Israeli air force is attacking these supply lines and the storage facilities. 

US bases in Iraq and Syria have come under attack from Iran-backed militias at least 100 times (reports differ) resulting in many US casualties. 

THE SOUTH-EASTERN FRONT - YEMEN

Shipping through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal has been seriously disrupted by almost daily attacks emanating from Yemen carried out by the Houthis, another terror organization backed and equipped by Iran. Any ship with any ties with Israel is being attacked by attack vessels, drones and missiles. Today (10/01) alone the US Navy shot down 18 suicide drones, 2 anti-ship cruise missiles and 1 anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards shipping in the Red Sea. 

Some of the largest shipping companies are now refusing to allow their ships through the Suez Canal. These ships are having to take the much longer route around the Horn of Africa. The prices of goods, including oil, will increase all over the world since some 12% of world trade passes through the Suez Canal.  Egypt is also suffering a significant loss of income from the tolls it collects.  The US and some 21 other countries have put together a coalition to protect shipping but so far they have not retaliated in any significant way. 

The Houthis have also been firing long range Cruise missiles at Eilat in southern Israel. At least one strayed and landed in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and the others were shot down by Egyptian, Saudi Arabian or IDF defense systems before they reached Israeli airspace.

THE EASTERN FRONT - JUDEA AND SAMARIA (THE WEST BANK)

Hamas terrorists are well entrenched in the West Bank and they enjoy widespread support there. Islamic Jihad and ISIS are also operating there. Throughout the war IDF forces are continuing to fight terror cells in Judea and Samaria.   Huge quantities of weapons have been uncovered. Six days ago, tens of millions of shekels intended for Hamas operations, were confiscated by IDF forces! Tunnels being drilled towards Israeli settlements have also been discovered and destroyed. Yesterday a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate into Modiin Illit, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but were stopped by local security forces. They were not eliminated however and fled back into the West Bank, where they can potentially regroup and carry out another attack like that of October 7.  

THE MEDIA AND CYBER FRONT - PUBLIC OPINION

An important front in this war is the war of public opinion being fought in the media and the internet. Massive amounts of false and extremely biased information is flooding cyberspace.  In the early days of the war Israel received unprecedented support for its right to defend itself, but very quickly the tide turned as images of destruction and the suffering of Gazan civilians, some faked, appeared. Now Israel is being lambasted for 'the humanitarian crisis' in Gaza, and for 'disproportional responses'. 

The Western world does not seem to understand that Israel is fighting for its very survival. We are fighting a relentless and fanatical enemy who has publicly and repeatedly stated that it will carry out more attacks like October 7th, and take control of the Land from the River to the Sea, a mantra they repeatedly chant, and a euphemism for the intended annihilation of Israel and all her people, in other words genocide. 

Ironically it is Israel which is being accused of perpetrating genocide. This is so very far from the truth. No army in the history of the world has gone to such extreme measures to minimize civilian casualties. Before the incursion into the  northern Gaza Strip, the IDF dropped millions of leaflets in Arabic warning the civilians to move south out of the battle zone and even showed maps of safe routes. The IDF also phoned every individual household begging them to leave. But, Hamas actually fired on its own civilians who were trying to flee, preferring to keep them in the firing zones so as to use them as human shields. Hamas also dug tunnels, with openings into private homes, mosques, schools and hospitals and stored rockets and other ordnance there. RPG rounds and grenades were even found hidden in the incubators of premature babies in one hospital. Streets, tunnels, civilian homes and public buildings have all been mined and booby trapped by Hamas. 

Tomorrow (11/01) Israeli representatives will stand before the International Court of Justice of the UN to answer accusations of genocide put forward by South Africa. 

Hamas claims that around 23,000 Gazans have been killed since October 7th, a figure that has not, nor cannot, be verified by any neutral entity. This figure includes terrorists and those civilians who actively support and help Hamas, even fighting by their side. Just how many 'innocent civilians' have been killed is anyone's guess, but the blame for their deaths must be squarely laid at the feet of Hamas. It is notable that over the last days many hundreds of Gazan's have surrendered to the IDF and many of these men say they have been waiting 17 years for Israel to rescue them from the vile, oppressive and brutal Hamas regime. 

There is no doubt that the displaced citizens of Gaza are living in crowded, unsanitary conditions and suffering hunger, a lack of medical care and other privations. When a senior Hamas government official was asked by a reporter if he did not care about the fate of Gazan citizens, he said they were not his responsibility, it was up to the UN to look after them!!!! 

There is undoubtedly an 'humanitarian crisis' in Gaza but why is it Israel's responsibility to alleviate it? Even so, Israel is doing what it can to help the people of Gaza. Israel is every day clearing hundreds of trucks of supplies to enter Gaza, but only a fraction of these are actually getting through the UN controlled border crossings. Those that do make it through are instantly mobbed by Hamas operatives who steal the supplies for their own use or in order to sell it at inflated prices to the people. 

As for the accusation that Israel is using 'excessive force' in its war against Hamas, this is just ridiculous, not to mention hypocritical. If someone breaks into your home with the intention of killing your family, what degree of force would you recommend? No one cried 'excessive force' when the Allies carpet bombed Dresden, Hamburg and other German towns,  or when the USA dropped the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.  If it weren't for the use of 'excessive force' we would all be speaking German or Japanese!

BEHIND IT ALL - IRAN

You will have noticed perhaps that all the entities currently attacking Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are all backed, supplied and trained by Iran. It seems to me that we are fighting the tentacles but not addressing the head of this octopus. Will the world wake up to the threat of Islamic Jihad and its goal of world domination before it is too late? Or will Israel have to 'go it alone'? 

On the 3rd of this month, there were two bomb explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman in the midst of a large crowd at the tomb of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The crowd was commemorating the 4th anniversary of his assassination by the US.  At least 211 were killed and many injured. Of course, Israel is being blamed but it is not likely that this attack was carried out by Israel. We have no interest in antagonizing Iran at this point, and furthermore it is not Israel's style to carry out a bombing attack that would kill many civilians.  ISIS has since claimed responsibility for this attack but the Iranian Regime insists it was Israel, in spite of much evidence to the contrary. It is even possible the Iran orchestrated it itself, as a pretext to attack Israel.  

The current Iranian regime follows the Twelver Shiite sect of Islam, which has an end-time eschatology in which must come the Mahdi, who will bring about world peace and harmony. They believe that the prophet Isa (Jesus) will come after the Mahdi but he will have only a secondary role. The Mahdi is believed to have been born in 870 AD, and is still alive living in occultation (hidden by Allah) in a town in Syria, awaiting the moment when he will take control of the world. The Mahdi is called Abu’l-Qāsem Moḥammad (born Ḥasan al-ʿAskarī) who was the 12th Imam - hence the moniker 'Twelver' Shiite (1). Twelver Shiites await and expect his arrival soon. Clearly the existence of Israel and the belief in the Jewish and Christian Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), is anathema to this theology. For this reason the little Satan (Israel) and the big Satan (the USA and 'Christian' Europe) must be defeated before the Mahdi can take control. 

In recent months there has been a shift in Hamas' narrative from its Sunni Muslim roots towards the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's Shiite doctrine (2). This underlines the fact that this in essence is a spiritual war and has little to do with the fate of the Gazan or Palestinian people, or indeed their claims to the Land. As I already mentioned, Hamas couldn't care less about the people of Gaza or the West Bank. They have a bigger agenda - world domination. 

They will not succeed. In the end, Israel will be victorious because the God  of the whole world, YHWH, has chosen Israel, brought her people home from the ends of the Earth, and He will uphold us and our enemies will be defeated just as He has promised:

“But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 “All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.
14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
    little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

1. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/eschatology-iii#:~:text=Twelver%20eschatology%20is%20completely%20dominated,the%20time%20of%20these%20events.

2. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/eschatology-iii#:~:text=Twelver%20eschatology%20is%20completely%20dominated,the%20time%20of%20these%20events.