We’re now in the US for a month as my daughter was due with her second baby almost two weeks ago. Great news, finally late last night she had a peaceful, joyful home birth with a midwife. There were no complications. She had a baby girl, 6 pounds 12 ounces (3.07 kg) and the happy family are resting comfortably. John and I are in a hotel taking care of her 3 year old big brother. Later, a zoo trip is in order.

But first, I’ve been carefully watching all the news from the Israeli side – absolutely none of which has been reported on any news stations or paper here. So last night’s declaration of war on Gaza came as a surprise to many. Over the three weeks, the US has been involved (with Israel, Egypt, Qatar and Hamas) in intense hostage negotiation and continuation of the cease-fire talks.

Hamas refused every single offer put on the table. Israel, in good faith, continued offering an emptying of prisons of many remaining convicted terrorists including all who have been captured during the war over the past 17 months. They tried to negotiate a ceasefire through the end of April. And a rebuilding of Gaza. The US envoy with Steve Witcoff attempted to secure the release of eleven hostages: one American who is still alive; three that were known to need intensive hospitalization and eight bodies including those of 4 Americans. Then they asked for the return of 5 – one alive, 4 dead. All requests were denied. 59 hostages are still in captivity. Those alive are suffering greatly as per the reports from the recently released hostages.

Hamas has violated every single ceasefire from October, 2023 onward. They have launched missiles during a pause of fighting. They have delayed in releasing names of hostages to be set free. Hamas returned the body of an unknown woman in the coffin which was supposed to hold Shari Bibas (it was soon rectified). They delayed the release of hostages in order to stage elaborate propaganda sets. They have sent little children as young as 4 years old, to the border and to IDF outposts to ‘spy out’ the troops and territory (just last week). They have continued to dig tunnels and pour cement to reinforce the tunnels even as there was a pause in fighting. And weapons caches have been found smuggled in through both Egypt and through humanitarian aid shipments.

On the 20th February, Hamas-associated operatives operating from Judaea/Samaria (West Bank) infiltrated into Israel planting bomb on busses in 5 Israeli cities. There have been dozens of stabbing and shooting attacks throughout Israel during the ceasefire. The White House reports that Hamas leaders will not agree to any reasonable offer to end the war.

Last night Israel proceeded with “Operation Strength and Sword,” a preemptive campaign designed to prevent another surprise incursion by Hamas operatives into Israeli territory. Troop movements were detected and intelligence picked up as to their intent to execute another 7 October attack. The military operation, a return to war, was designed to force Hamas back to the negotiating table. It is a limited measure.

The decision to resume airstrikes on Gaza was approved unanimously by all the ministers of Israel’s security agencies as well as both present IDF Chief of Staff and past head, Former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant. Israel began targeted strikes (NOT indiscriminate bombing) last night from the sea and air. The IDF identified over 100 terror targets aimed at many top and mid-level commanders. At least 12 senior officials have been eliminated including:

• Major General Mahmoud Abu Wafta, Undersecretary of Gaza’s Interior Ministry. He was responsible for the rebuilding of destroyed Hamas infrastructure.
• Brigadier general Bahjat Abu Sultan, head of central operations
• Abu Obeida Al-Jamasi, senior member of Hamas political and propaganda/journalism bureau
• Abu Omar Al-khatta, Secretary General of Gaza’s Ministry of Justice
• Abu Hamza, Spokesman for Islamic Jihad
• Hassan Al-Naam Abu Ali, Senior member of PIJ

Some of their homes that were bombed in the surprise attack also housed their wives and children, who were also killed.

A statement from the Hostage Families Forum was just released:

The greatest fear of the families, the hostages and the citizens of Israel [not all by any means, my addition] has come true. The Israeli government has chosen to abandon the hostages. We are shocked, outraged and terrified at the deliberate collapse of the process to return our loved ones from Hamas captivity. Resuming the war will put the remaining 59 [ many are corpses being held] at greater risk.

In other news, in Syria, the Al-Julani regime now in power have killed over 8,000 Christians, Alawites and Kurds in systematic emptying of villages and executions. This has happened in Latakia, Hamas, Homs, Jablah and outlying towns. Over 150 Druze elders from the mountain villages bordering Israel on the slope of Mt. Hermon, were allowed entry into Israel to visit the holy shrines of their saints. These included the tombs of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law; the prophet Sabalan/Zebulon, and 2 others. It was the first time the Druze communities have been reunited since 1948. They were hosted for an overnight stay and meeting with the heads of the Israeli Druze communities.

IDF air strikes targeting remaining chemical weapons storage facilities near Damascus and other weapons depots resumed in Syria over the past two days. Israel does not want these to fall into the hands of terrorist insurgents. Also, several targeted strikes by the IAF were made on Hizbulla tunnels and strongholds in Lebanon. Hizbulla, also, has been continually violating the terms of their ceasefire. Israel is now on the offensive in preventing further attacks on the citizens of Israel, hoping that all those displaced from the northern border towns and villages will soon be able to return.

The Trump administration has been bombing key missile sites and ports in Yemen to put down the Houthi regime. They have been putting a stranglehold on shipping in the Red Sea/Gulf of Adan/Arabian Sea. As I was writing this article, at exactly 10am California time/ 7pm Israel time, the Houthis launched missiles from Yemen headed towards both Dimona, the nuclear reactor site, and Ben Gurion airport. The airport closed all operations temporarily. Iron Dome was able to intercept both warheads.

In the meantime, we have begun to get news from the MidEast on television here. The Gaza Red Cresent (health ministry) is reporting over 1700 children have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. It is interesting to note, that the people who cannot keep count and location of 59 remaining hostages are able to give a death toll in less than 12 hours. Israel has estimated that just over 300 people total have been killed, but this is just a proximate count. As far as I know, there has not been any report of troop movement into Gaza.

As for us, John has been a crack trooper in fending off concerted attacks on the cookies and mini fridge. He’s changed 2 diapers, and wrestled the pjs off a wiggling toddler to put on his outfit of the day. Toddler wrangling while I write this post has him in awe of how I managed 4 little ones under the age of 7. The toy cars have been lined up and are ready to roll across the floor. And if I can get myself in gear, we will go to the zoo soon. I’ll try to send a photo of the baby soon…. And if any other news develops, I shall try to report.