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February 12, 2025

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The Good, the Bad and the Indefinite. War Stories. Day 495. 12 February, 2025

From reports coming forth from recently released hostages, there are new ‘signs of life’ of a couple captives whose fate was unknown. Omri Meirav, was taken from his home in Nahal Oz into the tunnels of Gaza. He left behind a wife and 2 small daughters. Omri was last seen caged in a terror tunnels late last July. His family is praying that he is still alive.

Alon Ohel is a concert pianist. He won a national competition when he was 18, just prior to his IDF service. He was kidnapped at age 24 from Kibbutz Be’eri on 7 October, 2023. One of the released hostages saw and was able to communicate briefly with Alon about two months ago. He had been badly wounded by shrapnel, was very malnourished and chained in an underground cage, but was still very much alive.

https://youtu.be/UdJobqOspdg?si=-mJ1rNgbNiTisyka

The oldest person in captivity, Shlomo Mansur, was 85 when he was captured. He was born in Iraq and survived the Farhud, the Middle Eastern equivalent of the Holocaust. He escaped Baghdad as a small child during the burning, raping, murdering and pillaging of his country by Islamophobia-Fascists in 1941. They came to Israel where he set up a good life. Mansur was one of the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim on the Gaza border. He was a father and grandfather. He was murdered by Hamas on 7 October, 2023. They still have his body. His wife managed to escape. Ironically he was born during a Holocaust and died in one 85 years later.

Or Levy was one of the hostages returned to Israel last Shabbat. He was the one who drove to the Nova Festival with his wife, Einav that morning, leaving their 1 year old son with the grandparents. As soon as they arrived, they heard the red alert sirens and the gunfire. The couple ran into a concrete roadside bomb shelter with over 30 other young people. One of whom was soldier, Aner Shapira. Aner, 22, bravely threw back seven grenades thrown by a terrorist into the bunker. The terrorist then sprayed the inside of the shelter with machine gun fire, killing Aner, Einav and many of those inside. The few who survived were taken to Gaza. Or has expressed his desire to meet Aner Shapira’s parents to thank them for his son’s sacrifice and bravery.

Or had not known that his wife was among those killed that fateful morning. He was told the news by his child, Almog, who just turned 3. Almog: Dad. You’ve been away for a long time.You look different today. Or: That’s right. Almog: Mommy Einav is not coming back. She is dead. Little Almog, who has had time to come to terms with his trauma will now help Or process his father’s grief. The two hugged each other in bed for hours after they were reunited at the hospital. Almog, who still doesn’t understand fully, tried to feed his father, who is on a very restricted diet. Or ate the food Almog gave him according to Tal Levy, Or’s brother. They had told Almog that his daddy was far away with many other people. They were looking for him and would do anything they could to find him for as long as it would take. The small child seemed to understand and was overjoyed when his family told him “Today, it’s Daddy’s turn to return home.”

News just came out here by an informed whistleblower and Israeli intelligence gatherer, Rafael Hayon, that as of December 2023, Hamas was ready to concede. The fighters were under siege by the IDF. They were being surrounded, without food, power, water or fuel. They were ready to give back all the hostages as well as the location of Yahya Sinwar and other key peratives. It was just prior to the first hostage release. It would be a complete surrender.

The terrorists fighting in the North were told by commanders in Qatar that their wives were all raped inside a mosque by IDF forces in Rafiah (the extreme south). The IDF had not even gone into southern Gaza… They were given orders to wait 24 hours. If they did not obey, they would be beheaded. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived that night and within 12 hours a pause in fighting and an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza was set up. Aid flowed in the next day, thus prolonging the war.

Hamas has now claimed that Israel violated the terms of ceasefire. They are retroactively punishing Israel by ceasing the release of any more hostages. They claim-

A young child was shot and killed by IdF forces on Sunday. The facts are thus according to the IDF authorities: A group of 8 teenagers advanced towards a group of IDF soldiers and were told to stand down. They started throwing rocks and shots were fired at the ground I warning. One 17 year old rushed the guard with a knife in an attempted stabbing. He was shot and killed.
The IDF did not fully evacuate Gaza. The ceasefire agreement called for all soldiers to retreat from the division between North and South Gaza, the Netzarim Corridor. They did this allowing free passage on foot to civilians.
Civilians are being blown up by IEDs hidden in the ground by IDF. In actuality, even though they have been warned, a few people have been killed when they entered what was left of their buildings. Many buildings have been booby trapped by Hamas in order to kill Israeli soldiers, many who have died when bugged structures collapse upon detonation.
Lack of humanitarian aid. Israel has thus far allowed in 13,866 aid trucks; 300,000 family sized tents supplied by Egypt, Jordan and the UN; and 50 gas and fuel tankers per day. There are reports of looting and commandeering of the rigs by Hamas forces, who in turn, sell food, hygiene and clothing to civilians at exorbitant prices.

If there is no aid, where did all those brand new, unscratched, undented white trucks carrying the Hamas terrorists come from? They show up every hostage release. It looks like a car commercial. And their brand new clean uniforms? And weapons? And the uniforms supplied to the hostages upon release? They must have some slick fashion designer to come up with those matching brown prisoner sweats with mugshots and property of AlQassem Brigade emblazoned on the front. And those spiffy huge billboards that provide the backdrop for their choreographed release ceremonies? The expensive cameras with telephoto lenses and videography equipment? None of these soldiers or even participants in the crowds look underfed.

Yesterday, there was a major shift in rhetoric on all sides. Hamas is not releasing prisoners. The deal is off. President Trump has said that if every single hostage is not returned by noon this Saturday then all hell will break loose and Israel will have free reign to restart the war. He has also stated that the US will take and rebuild Gaza. That they will be in charge of the rebuilding efforts and that any peaceful, non terrorist can enter. Jobs will be created in this new beachfront paradise. Resort hotels will be opened. Until then, the Gazan civilians would be free to leave.

However, until yesterday, none of the neighboring Arab nations would take them in. Why do you think that is? Finally, on camera in the West Wing of the White House, in a. Meeting with President Trump, Jordan King Abdulla offered to take in 2000 young children with cancer or in need of emergency medical treatment. Trump responded that it was “a beautiful thing.” If these Gazans can leave voluntarily, it collapses the narrative that they are living in an open air prison. They do not want a solution. They are against “the White Man Zionist colonialism. If Gaza is rebuilt and prospers, their victimhood disappears. Either way they lose.

And today, Prime Minister Netanyahu came out with his statement (translated from the Hebrew):

It could be an interesting weekend. Hizbulla and the Houthis have vowed to enter the fight if Israel comes down on Hamas.

If you have time and want to watch the most bizarre interview (UK journalists), so far-fetched it’s actually absurdly hysterical at points (12 minutes in), watch the takedown between anchor, Julia Hartley-Brewer and Yvonne Ridley. It aired yesterday evening on TalkTV, UK.

https://youtu.be/m0KM4LUrRUs?si=iP5tHFBi6H1_KLd0

Once again, if you like the content I am delivering, please share the link to my blog widely. It is important that others understand the facts on the ground, not just the misinformation. It takes hours to do all the research and I try to keep everything factual and up-to-date. I’d really like to expand my current reader base. Thank you so much….Tamar

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twdunbar2015

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February 9, 2025

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hostages, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel news, israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Uncategorized, War stories

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Shattered. War Stories. Day 492 9 February, 2025

Yesterday was an unbearably hard day for the people of Israel on so many different levels. Each week gets more and more difficult as we are made to endure carefully choreographed Hamas hostage release ceremonies in Gaza. Each one has a different staged message meant to show Hamas supremacy – that they are still in full control of the Strip and are not going anywhere. It’s like a Squid Game. It’s purposely ripping the country apart.

The first release of captives just a few weeks ago, showed three girls, well dressed and clean, receiving goodie bags and certificates like they had just spent time at summer camp. They were made to wave and smile at the camera, as thousands of masked, fully uniformed Hamas operatives lined the streets. Always, the Red Cross, who never once checked on the status of a single captive, was there to shuttle the released hostages from Hamas hands to waiting IDF helicopters. Despite being held at gunpoint, the girls seemed both happy and defiant: Emily Damari raising her bandaged hand minus two fingers, in a courageous show of resilience.

Then last week, we witnessed the release of four female IDF border observation soldiers in another carefully staged show. They had been kidnapped in their pajamas, but were now wearing military uniforms. Given their certificates and swag bags, the girls were filmed in a car, thanking, in Arabic, their captors for their good treatment. A video was made of them cheering Hamas, smiling and waving at the camera and actually bestowing blessings upon them.

https://youtube.com/shorts/hcbUOzgU3Gc?si=7nWLl4vaBgc8zcIp

Despite this completely staged video clip, I received a little note from an old girlfriend in California extolling their good treatment and how they were not abused. She reads this blog occasionally, and wrote me that she felt Israel had been exploiting the fate of the girls being “raped” (quotes hers) for sympathy. That the “bloody pants “tactic” (again her words) by the Israeli hostage protestors” just couldn’t hold up. I am responding to her now with, “Have you not seen the video taken by the Hamas terrorists themselves on October 7 as they choose who will be taken back as sex slaves and who will be shot? Have you not seen their condition then? Are not all women to be believed?” (Warning:graphic images follow):

https://youtu.be/MyqHI7JMSYI?si=Sn0iPpr21CW1NSLr

I share this now because the world needs to know. Thank G-d these valiant young women have been safely reunited with their families.

Also last week, we witnessed a civilian woman, pale and thin, and an 81 year old grandfather, being led through a wild and abusive throng of Palestinian Islamic Jihad Gaza ‘civilians.’ It was brutal to watch them make their way through the gauntlet, being jeered, spat upon, hit, and made to pose for selfies with the crowd. Netanyahu vowed not to release the next group of 183 convicted prisoners (many serving life sentences for heinous murders and terror attacks) unless things changed.

So two days later, the last of the female soldiers, Agam Berger, was returned. She was paraded alone and forced to pose on the pre-set stage before the masked Hamas terrorists. Using expensive, professional photography and videography equipment the Hamas “photojournalists” documented her release. Each time there is a release, we see thousands of well-fed, well-armed terrorists lining the streets, parade fashion. Each of the hostages is flanked by fully armed soldiers (as if they pose a threat). Messages on the backdrop of the stage contain anti Israel statements and threats. They are written in Arabic, Hebrew and English for all to see.

Every Saturday, Shabbat, we wake up to see some new sick, twisted display by Hamas. But yesterday was the worst. It shattered us. Friday, the names of the three captives to be set free was once again delayed by Hamas. For agonizing hours, Israel waited to find out who among the remaining were alive and would be in the next group. We still do not know the fate of many still held. Then, yesterday morning, Israelis watched as the first video was released. After 491 days, exactly 16 months of hell, three civilian men, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, were shown receiving new clothes and thanking their captors upon hearing of their soon-to-be freedom. They were sitting in an underground cement tunnel. We were shocked to see them. Present day Holocaust, Dachau survivors, pale and emancipated. Dark eyes, no hair.

Eli Sharabi, 42, was kidnapped at gunpoint from his home at Kibbutz Be’eri. The terrorists broke into his home, shooting the family dog, and leading Eli away. The rest of his family was in the saferoom. Eli’s brother, Yossi, who lived down the street was also taken captive. Yossi was killed in Gaza last year. Eli’s wife, Lianne and two daughters, Nora, 16 and Yael, 13 were found more than a week later. They were burned beyond recognition, identified by DNA samples. Fire was set to their house, and it was pretty much a complete loss.

On 7 October, 2023, Or Levy, 34 and his wife Einav, 32, had just arrived at the Nova Music Festival for a day of dancing and fun. Just after they got to the concert venue, the sirens went off, and in the panic that soon ensued, the couple made their way to a nearby concrete bomb shelter, later to be dubbed one of the “death shelters.” It was a place where so many of the young people tragically and brutally lost their lives. Several grenades were thrown into the shelter, and then volleyed back outside. The seventh grenade blew up in the shelter killing many. Einav was one of those murdered. Or was abducted by the invaders. He had spoken to his parents by phone from the shelter – his last words to them, “Mom. You don’t want to know what’s going on here. Take care of Almog.” Almog was the three year old son they left with the grandparents that day.

Ohad ben Ami is 56. He was also abducted from his home at Be’eri along with his wife, Roz. Roz was released on 29 November, 2023 with the first wave of hostages. The morning they were taken, Ohad texted his two daughters, “Shema Yisrael. THEY ARE HERE!” A video was uploaded to AlJazeera later in the day showing him in his boxer shorts and undershirt, hands tied behind his back, with a rope around his neck as he was being paraded through the streets of Gaza, a prize. Civilians were beating him and mocking him along the way. He was barefoot and bleeding.

Or, Ohad &Eli. Their shirts read “Prisoner AlKassam Battalion” with their mug shot and vital info

Our hostages are finally being released after so much hell. We are relieved and glad to see them, but yesterday….they were forced on stage, hardly able to stand upright, and made to thank their captors in staged interviews. “What are you looking forward to?” the terrorist asks Eli. He is made to say he’s looking forward to being reunited with his wife and family. He doesn’t know they are dead. That there is no home for him to go him. It is a cruel, sick, twisted, last psychological torture for him and for us here in Israel, who know what he must face when he comes back. The same for Or Levy. He thanks his captors and looks forward to reuniting with Einav. It shatters us.

By far, the most horrific thing to emerge yesterday was the slick video, artfully edited, of the men emerging from the tunnels. No words….

https://youtu.be/FuktTPdlbJI?si=61k02Lu5CnJa8cAC

Also released last week were videos and photos of the next generation of Hamas. Little children with machine guns. Groomed to hate. Trained for terror. It MUST STOP.

Young Hamas poster child leads other children in a chant to kill the Yahuds (Jew).

Much of the country now, just wants peace. We all want the captives returned. These were the citizens. There’s still more left behind including Shiri Bibas and the two babies. What has become of the male IDF soldiers if this was how they treated civilians? There are still Thai and Nepalese hostages we have not heard about. After seeing these videos, much of the country wants to eradicate Hamas. For a couple of my readers out there, it is NOT for revenge or vengeance. It is necessary to destroy the evil so that it will not happen again to anyone. To blow up every tunnel. To find every terrorist. To dismantle the system.

As I write this, the IDF has just begun a full withdrawal from their remaining positions in central Gaza according to the rules of the ongoing ceasefire. The Netzarim Corridor that links the North and South of the Strip splits Gaza in half. It was a most critical position strategically held by the IDF to prevent the movement of terrorists. This pullout will now allow more freedom of movement, of regrouping and planning out further attacks. But seeing the safe return of all the hostages drives this action.

And the BBC, notorious in its anti Israel bias, strikes again. It is equating the state of the Israeli hostages, innocent civilians mostly, with the release of the 183 convicted Palestinian criminals from prisons. The English are concerned with their treatment, their health status.

Seriously…our neighbor, Tomer I., a huge, completely tattooed hulk of a man with a heart of gold, is a prison guard at a maximum security facility not too far from here. I just called and asked him what their prisoners eat. The Israeli prison system has recently come under fire from the international community for intentionally reducing food servings to the ‘minimum required for survival.’ According to Tomer, who I trust completely for giving me the truth, this is the breakdown. It’s pretty much the same every day for every prisoner in the system be they Palestinian or Israeli:

Breakfast: Tea/coffee, chopped fresh vegetables, usually tomato, cucumber and peppers, pita, jam, Nutella, cream cheese/sour cream/labane/cottage cheese

Lunch: Chicken/beef/vegetarian option(corn schnitzel), rice/couscous, steamed vegetables, pita, humus, water

Dinner: Fresh vegetable, pita, eggs, falafel, humus, techineh, tuna, water/juice

We have heard from Ohad that the captives in the tunnels sometimes went for days without food, some days they got about half a cup of rice and a half a stale pita. There was no bathroom. Only three cans. They had no access to hygiene except for three times since captivity. The light was so bright when they got into open air, that Ohad had to have sunglasses. Their hair was falling out in clumps and they all felt they needed dental work. And yet the Palestinians all seem well fed in the videos. What about Geneva Convention. Where was Red Cross? What about humanitarian aid? Where is the genocide?

I shudder to think of the next release next week. Of what lies ahead for all of us, Israeli and Palestinian. I pray that many more reunions will be joyful ones. I am certain the road to healing will be a long one-

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February 7, 2025

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Feel Good Friday 7 February,2025

It’s Friday and I should be busy cooking and preparing for Shabbat, but I thought I just might leave you all with a few feel good stories from Israel.

Thank you, G-d, for another gorgeous day in the Galilee!

Amidst so much bad news, it seems like an awful lot has been accomplished for the good the past couple weeks, so we’ll focus on that to slide into the weekend. In the States, the swamp is being rapidly drained as the plug is being pulled from the foul tub and the scum is being exposed as the water goes down. That’s a good thing. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu was quite productive – the US and Israel have pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council and the WHO. The International Criminal Court is being sanctioned. And “deals” are being announced that could have interesting effects and bring peace to war torn nations.

We are beginning to see the return of the hostages…the American, Keith Siegel came home last weekend, as well as two other men, Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas. (Hopefully we will have good news soon as to the fate of his wife, Shiri, and two young children)) And the five surveillance soldiers from the Nahal Oz base were returned from Hamas hands. It was a tearful and joyous weekend as we watched the girls hugging their family and friends.

US Israeli citizen, Keith Siegel hugs daughters after 479 days in captivity

Agam Berger, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev all returned from their being held in Gaza after 15 months. The came back as lionesses, showing courage and faith and radiating joy. Videos have surfaced of them hugging, dancing to music, holding signs that thank G-d, the IDF and all those who supported them during their captivity. The Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv completely shut down one day last week to allow the girls a shopping spree. They have received pampering spa days and concert performances by the Israeli Philharmonic. They are being kept out of the public eye, for the most part, to respect their privacy and help them heal. All were released from the hospital yesterday to celebrate Shabbat with their families.

The five girls make an ‘I Love You’ to the photographers at the Azrieli Mall

A hearty MAZAL TOV to released hostage Daniella Gilboa and her boyfriend, Roi Dadon! Roi, the devoted boyfriend of the captured IDF lookout, exemplified unwavering love and faith throughout her 477 day captivity. The couple, who have been together since the 7th grade, redefined the term ‘long-distance relationship’ during the harrowing ordeal. In December, 2023, Roi dedicated the writing of a Torah scroll in Daniella’s honor. During the emotional ceremony, while dancing with the Torah, he looked to the sky and shouted, “Daniella, marry me!” That evening he proposed to her symbolically by asking her parents for her hand in marriage. Last weekend, Daniella was finally freed and Roi had the chance to fulfill his promise. Roi’s Hope never faltered, even after witnessing a heartbreaking video of Daniella being carried off by Hamas after being shot in the leg. (courtesy Jewish Breaking News).

The number one song here for the past two months have been a song which in Hebrew means, “I am blessed by G-d. I know he wants only the best for me. He loves me and everything will be better and better.” It’s amazing. You hear it played everywhere. People are shouting it and singing it from every restaurant, market, mall and car radio. Soldiers are dancing to it. It has pumped our nation like nothing else. Lyrics include lines, “G-d hears my prayers. He wants for me well-being, health and healing, livelihood, friendship, a good way, joy, safety. He is always with me and He loves me always.” I love the video in that it captures the people of Israel perfectly. The young spending time with the elderly; the diversity of ethnicities; the collective joy and spirituality; the love for life.

https://youtu.be/rgSvk335zis?si=ogmmUMcIm-gJxijz

Also, everywhere I go I see this poster. It hangs from balconies and overpasses. A constant reminder that G-d alone is King. There is no other. With a spirit like that, you can’t lose.

My doctor has instructed me to be as active as possible….I’ve gained far too much weight since the lockdowns and it’s mandatory for me to shed the kilos immediately. Besides being on medication now, and the most super-strict diet ever, I’m getting out of the house and walking 2-3 miles a day. Oy!!!! I’m so grateful that around every (Jewish) city and village, walking/nature trails have been put in. Sometimes we drive to nearby moshavim and yishuvim (hamlets and villages), but there are some spectacular views from our hikes.

Earlier this week, we kicked through the other end of the wadi below our house. It took us through olive groves and lots of cows. One charged at me. Our usually protective little dachshund ran the other way. John picked up rocks to throw at her. Because I can’t run, I just stood my ground and spoke softly – she just stood and stared at me. So I slowly walked away, but she followed us, bellowing loudly. OK. I was a bit frightened, but eventually, she turned back. Another fun day….

So all in all, things are looking up. I pray we all have a safe, quiet and blessed weekend. Shabbat shalom.

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February 3, 2025

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art, culture, Hizbulla war, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel lifestyle, israel news, israel. nature. spring. galilee., Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, spirituality, Uncategorized, War stories

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A Happier Story: A Canvas of Hope and Love. 3 February, 2025

Late last summer, the war front in Israel moved up here to the North. Hizbulla began firing missiles at us every day, multiple times a day (and night). Each salvo contained anywhere from 20-60 missiles. When the red alert siren sounded, we had only a few seconds to find shelter. Thank goodness we had the Iron Dome Missile Defense System which intercepted most of the rockets. But then there was the vey real danger of falling shrapnel.

Soon after, concrete bunkers – small shelters called magenit, or little shields – started popping up on highly trafficked street corners. They were placed in parks, near schools, kindergartens, shopping center parking lots. Hideously ugly, they did the job. But they also proved to be the perfect blank canvases. Enter Australian artist, Justin Andrew Hook.

John and I had the good fortune of spending a day with Justin last month, hearing his story and getting to know this amazing human being. Justin, whose, stepfather is Jewish and mother who is Christian, worked for a while in the luxury hospitality industry in Sydney, even serving members of the government and foreign dignitaries. Everything changed for him during COVID, when his jobs ended. This led to some intense soul searching.

“G-d placed certain gifts inside me that needed to be honored. Art was my currency that actually became my identity. When I started to acknowledge and use that, things began to shift for me,” explained Justin. He began to show his paintings at exhibitions and galleries, and then became a curator and manager of an art gallery in the heavily traveled Bondi Junction suburb of Sydney. Opening nights attracted many different kinds of people from all over the world.

Because many Israelis travel the globe after their army service, Justin soon made many new Israeli friends. He began to bump into Israelis everywhere, and a desire to visit the Holy Land grew within his spirit. He now comes every year. “I absolutely love Israel! The culture is so attractive, fast-paced and super inclusive. The people are warm and inviting: the lifestyle and food is amazing! It’s like you become instant family with everyone here! Despite all the severity here, Israelis know how to live life, prioritizing G-d, family and friends. They live life to the max and know how to get the most out of life.”

Totally extroverted and exuberant, Justin has met a wide spectrum of people in Israel from Orthodox Jews to seculars; from Arabs to Druze; Christians and Messianics. His experiences are different each trip. In 2022, he was commissioned to paint a huge mural on a prominent wall in the village of Mesilat Zion outside Jerusalem. A short documentary was made and put on YouTube which opened up many more opportunities for him.

https://youtu.be/FzhMbIL-5fc?si=S9keT8WNhSNGQrKQ

During his 2023 trip, Justin happened to be celebrating Sukkot in a village outside Haifa when the 7 October Hamas invasion into Israel took place. Thousands of rockets were falling on Tel Aviv and the center of the country. The Australian government put a notice out to all travelers that they must return home immediately. There was no choice and a military airlift was scheduled to depart. Justin was in no way fearful. He even wanted to stay and help anywhere he was needed, but the government was insistent that he leave.

In the months that Justin was home in the Land Down Under, it seemed that everything had truly turned upside down. The narrative of the situation in Israel as told by the media was nothing but half-truths and outright lies. This deliberate anti Israel propaganda resulted in the growth of the pro-Palestinian movement, marching and chanting and vandalizing the larger cities of Australia. The media was playing upon the good Will of innocent, well-meaning people – stories of genocide and IDF atrocities against the people of Gaza was a complete deception. Immediately, Justin knew he had to become a voice for truth and for the people of Israel. He was well connected to the Land and the People and knew firsthand the reality of the situation on the ground.

At the very last minute, this past September, he knew in his spirit that it was time for his return. Justin booked round trip tickets for a 2 1/2 week stay during the Feast of Sukkot. He was led to travel the country, bringing a message of hope and support to his friends. When he arrived at Tiberias on the shores of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the doors opened wide for him to put his artistic talents to work.

Despite continual bombing by missiles from Hizbulla in Lebanon and suicide drones, those ugly cement shelters were calling out to him. Justin reached out to an Israeli friend, who immediately and miraculously received instant approval from the mayor of Tiberias to decorate the blank boxes. Not only that, but Justin’s Jewish friends who run NGOs throughout the Galilee would help support the project. There was just one hitch: it had to be done now or never.

A new dilemma arose: Justin was scheduled to fly back to Australia in less than a week. There was no way he could attempt to complete such a project in so little time! Justin walked along the Kinneret, praying and seeking G-d’s direction. Everything was happening so quickly, but if this was part of the Divine Plan, all the little details would come together. In Israel, there is a saying: “There are no coincidences. It is all by HaShem (G-d).” And so it was, that at the very last minute, Justin’s non-refundable plane ticket was changed and paid for by his very own travel agent who also had a deep love for the people of Israel. Both of them knew that Justin had been handed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I also set up a last minute page (on his social media) showcasing this opportunity. It included a Go Fund Me link so people could help contribute to my living expenses. My visa was good for three months. Amazingly, after posting a few videos, generous people from all over the globe caught on to the vision and funded my ability to stay in Israel.” The various cities paid for all of his art supplies and he was able to focus on the project and complete the first season of shelters. The. L-rd provides and guides.

“It was during this time I learned spontaneity. I just rode the wave and flowed with the Spirit. I knew G-d wanted me to be a bridge builder with love and the desire to help these people in need.” For the next three weeks , Justin painted his first shelter, right in the center of downtown Tiberias, an extremely important Orthodox city, one of the four holy cities of Israel.

On the outer walls of the bomb shelter he painted the most gorgeous mural of the Sea of Galilee in the full bloom of springtime. The painting wraps around the entire magenit. The mountains of the Golan and lower Galil region encircle it. Butterflies ands birds symbolize new life. The red poppies are a remembrance of the hostages still in captivity. Working with a medium of spray paint, Justin captured the fishing boats on the sea and the migrating birds overhead. The morning sun over the mountains depicts the verse from Malachi 4:2. “The sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.” It was truly a project of healing.

But this was not all. Missiles flying overhead and the thunderous booms as Iron Dome intercepts the incoming rockets can be terrifying for many people. Little children, especially are easily traumatized by having to run for cover. Through Justin’s gift, fear, trauma and ashes could be transformed into beauty and hope.

Justin was inspired to paint a large tallit, prayer shawl wrapped over the entrance to the shelter. It was a sign of G-do’s abiding presence. People were beginning to take notice as he painted. Rabbis stopped to admire his work. Justin painted a verse from Psalm 16:1, a Psalm of David, in Hebrew: Preserve me, O G-d. You are my shelter.”

Stepping inside, instead of being greeted by cold, gray walls, Justin painted the seven-branched menorah that stands in the Old City of Jerusalem, its flames almost alive, glowing brightly. It was truly an inspired vision and a way to share the message of hope and G-do’s love and mercy to His people. It is the national symbol of Israel and has become his signature inside each bomb shelter. “The menorah is a sign of the victory of the Jews over their enemies. It is an eternal symbol that proclaims ‘I am with you always,” explained Justin.

The chief Chabad rabbi of Tiberias sent a video of the finished shelter to the chief Chabad rabbi of Sydney. It was shared with the public on the last night of Chanukah, giving a loving message of perseverance to the Jewish people of Australia. The video soon spread throughout Jewish congregations worldwide:

https://youtu.be/l71sEL_uaao?si=dX9_T2QayrnynL9P

After this first shelter project, 50 more quickly became available throughout the Galilee, in Tiberias and he Holy City of Tsfat. Justin has received a commission to decorate magenit at playgrounds, skate parks, bus stops and schools. Thus far, six have been completed.

Returning to Jerusalem, Justin bumped into wildly popular social media influencer and Jewish/Israel activist, Zack Sage Fox at the Kotel (Westen Wall). He was visiting from the States.The two did an interview on the spot and Justin’s fame spread like wildfire. I met up with Justin a couple days thereafter. He is totally a bridge between Australia and Israel, the Christian Zionists and the Israeli people.

Justin had to leave as his visa was up, but is praying that the Australian and Israeli governments will grant him a long term visa which will enable him to see the new art project to its completion. “We are all called to be light wherever we go,” he told us over coffee. “We embody His living Torah; we are to do good works and serve others in love, to bring joy and hope to those we meet. We are each given specific gifts and talents that make up our unique identity. If everyone used the gifts given us, for the betterment of the world, this would be a better place.”

He can be found on Instagram @justin_andrew_hook. On Facebook and at http://www.justinandrewhook.com

To support his work, you can go to SUPPORT A PROJECT. justinandrewhook.com/s-projects-basic

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twdunbar2015

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January 31, 2025

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The Sendoff: War Stories Day 483. 31 January, 2025

So much is happening in the news cycle that it’s dizzying. Yesterday we woke up hearing of the terrible plane crash in Washington, D.C. This was following on the heels of all the President Trump Executive Orders and the hearings for the Cabinet members. People are still reeling from the Los Angeles fires and the devastation caused by them. And in the midst of all this, Israel had another release of hostages.

I sat glued to the live feed all day yesterday with most of Israel watching with absolute horror and disgust. We got back three of the hostages kidnapped to Gaza on 7 October, 2023. The first to be freed was Agam Berger. Agam, age 20, was one of the soldiers (girls) who did surveillance of the Israel-Gaza border at the Nahal Oz base. Seventeen girls were taken in their pajamas, rounded up, placed against a wall by the Hamas terrorists. Some were raped. Some were killed. Some were mutilated. All were hogtied and of the seventeen, five were captured. Perhaps you have seen the brutal videos of Naama Levy, bloodied pants, being shoved into a jeep. One was killed, her body recovered in December, 2023. Three of these girls were released last Saturday. You can read about these brave heroines in my last blog.

Agam Berger, as she was taken captive and before at her high school graduation

Only Agam Berger was left. She was released yesterday, alone into a sea of Hamas soldiers dressed like teenage mutant ninja turtles, faces covered in black balaclavas, green Hamas headbands, machine guns. Frightening doesn’t even come close. She was dressed in a fake IDF uniform (remember, she was captured in pajamas) and made to walk the gauntlet. They paraded her to the ruins of Yahya Sinwar’s house where a stage had been erected. Red Cross members, who never once checked on the welfare of the hostages, were there to officially sign records and certificates. Amidst cheering and jeering and chanting, Agam was made to walk by herself on the stage. The cameraman instructed her to smile, wave, raise her hands.

We learned from her three friends, that the girls were often kept together. Sometimes in twos or threes. Hamas would move them around from tunnels to homes where they would be domestic slaves. Agam was their quiet source of strength. A young woman full of faith in G-d, she always prayed quietly in the morning, said blessings over her food and kept the Sabbath, refusing outright to do any work or cook for her captors on that day. She was a silent support to the other captives, always maintaining her calm and composure. It was Agam who was called upon to braid the hair of the other young girls who were released in November and December, 2023. “It was a very difficult time, but the thought of coming home kept me strong,” she reported from the hospital.

Arbel Yahud, 28; Agam Berger, 20; Gadi Moizes, 80 before captivity

The next release was a horrific spectacle that played out before our eyes. Instead of Hamas, it was Palestinian Islamic Jihad who held the next group of captives. The mob that gathered was immense and unruly, many masked and in uniform, many in civilian attire. It is difficult to have any empathy at all for the “innocent. Civilians” of Gaza, given they are so indistinguishable from the savages. The crowd would not let the Red Cross vehicles through, standing on the vehicles, blocking the way.

Arbel Yehud was on the list of hostages set to be released last week, but somehow she was not able to be located. It was psychological warfare for the families and nation. Was she even alive or would a body be returned? Yesterday, she was marched through the gauntlet. A 28 year old civilian, she had been held alone underground during her entire captivity. She had little to no food. Now this pale, gaunt, terror stricken young woman was led through the mob who spat on her, jeered, took photos and videos (selfies), hit her and nearly crushed her in the press. It took almost an hour for her to reach the Red Cross handoff. Look at these photographs I captured off the live feed. Can you even begin to imagine how terrified Arbel must have been? She had no idea what was happening to her.

The next hostage to be released into that same throng was 80 year old (!!!!!) Gadi Moizes. He, too, was made to suffer through the gauntlet. At times the crowd was pressing so heavily, that you could see him gasping for air and screaming for the mob to give him space. Although much thinner, Gadi appeared to show strength and courage in the face of sheer terror. These are absolute heroes for us in Israel. Their resilience is an inspiration. Still, it took about 40 minutes for him to be delivered to the Red Cross vehicles.

All three hostages were separately transferred by the Red Cross to waiting IDF helicopters in Gaza. They were flown to a military base in Israel, assessed by physicians to see if they needed urgent medical attention, and then driven to local hospitals. Close family members were there waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.

About two hours later in the afternoon, five Thailanders who had also been taken into Gaza on 7 October, were to be set free. It was the first we’re had heard of this group of men. They had not been included in the names of the 250+ captured. This is really distressing to me. Why did we not know of these people here on study or agricultural work visas? They too, had been held by PIJ, and were marched through the angry crowd. According to current reports, there are still two more foreign nationals being held.

The release of the convicted prisoners from the Israeli jails was delayed because of the debacle in Gaza. After strong word from Netanyahu and a firm assurance from the international mediators of the prisoner swap deal that all future releases of the hostages are to be held in an acceptable manner, the continuation of the deal is now back on track. The idea that because of the horrific way yesterday was handled, three additional hostages would be released by Hamas today, was rescinded. Instead, this coming Shabbat (tomorrow), will bring the of Ofer Kalderon, Keith Siegel (the other American Israeli) and Yarden Bibas.

If the Bibas name sounds familiar, Yarden is the father of the Bibas family. His wife, Shiri was forced from their home in Kibbutz Nir Ozinto Gaza at gunpoint carrying her two red headed children, 9 month old Kfir and 4 year old Ariel. Israel has demanded that Hamas clarify the condition of Shiri and her two small boys, Fear for the fate of the Bibas trio has grown, especially over the past couple weeks. It was reported that they were being held by yet another splinter terrorist organization in Gaza, Kataib Mujahadin. Even the family dog, Tonto, a white shepherd mix, was abducted and later shot. The entire nation is retaining hope against hope that Shiri and the children are still alive and will be returned in good condition.

Grafitti of the Bibas family has been popping up throughout the cities in Israel. They have become literally poster children of this “war against humanity.” They have been the inspiration of poetry and songs, art and other creative displays. They have come to represent the horrors of 7October and the tragedy we face daily.

https://youtu.be/7Y9fHUOhTMY?si=VHcv47HppzqTBorA

Please, G-d, let there be good news. Let this family be alive. Let us have a return to normalcy. Let us have a peaceful Shabbat.

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January 27, 2025

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Our Strong Heroines. War Stories. Day481. 27 January, 2025

I have a confession. Even though I try really hard to not use my cell phone on the Sabbath, last Saturday it was impossible as the events of the hostage release was unfolding. All Israel was anxiously awaiting their homecoming.

I tried to watch events unfold on Israeli news, but could find nothing in real time except the thousands of Israelis gathered in what has become known as Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. I used my VPN (AlJazeera is not allowed in this country) to place me back in the States. And the live feed popped up on my screen. Exclusive coverage was provided by the Qatari funded AlJazeera. Narration in Arabic and English.

After more delays from Hamas once again, late Friday afternoon they announced the planned release of hostages Naama Levy, Liri Elbag, Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev, all IDF surveillance watchers that were stationed on the Gaza border. This move deviated from prior agreements of releasing all female civilians and children still held in Gaza first. There is one civilian female, Ariel Yahud, who has been “lost.” As Hamas says, she is being held by a Salafist group not related to or answerable to them. There was also supposed to be a list provided to the Israeli government of those of the captives who are still alive and those who are deceased. That has not been done.

But first, a little about the young girls who were released on Saturday, which actually was an exuberant moment for all us watching:

In Gaza City early Saturday morning, tens of thousands of masked and banded Hamas soldiers, fully decked out in their uniforms all well armed, lined the streets. It was quite the display to show that they are still fully in control – and that there are still a lot of them. All of this contradicts the cries of “genocide” of the Palestinian people. This was just the first of the discrepancies. Let’s go through some of them-

All of the Hamas fighters were wearing what appeared to be brand new uniforms. If they had been fighting in the dirt and rubble for the past 15 months, their uniforms would be absolutely filthy. I’ve seen IDF soldiers who have returned from the field…on the train, at the bus stops, walking home….and they are always covered with dirt and grime and stains. So these Hamasniks just didn’t make sense UNLESS they do not use their uniforms when they are fighting. They dress as civilians. Innocent civilians. No, not at all associated with the terror group. They fight in their civvies so they won’t be marked as Hamas.

Again, the Gazan population, without any water, all had clean clothes. This country that has no food and must rely on humanitarian aid because there is a severe famine all had seemingly very well-fed people in the crowd. Everyone from the soldiers to the burka’d women to the children all appeared vibrant and healthy, not like they were faint from hunger or on the verge of starvation. They had been gathered throughout Gaza City for hours before the actual handoff took place. Something was not quite right. For a population near death, all seemed quite lively. And for a country without electricity, in absolute poverty, most people seemed to have fully charged cell phones with which they were filming the festivities.

The Red Cross was responsible for issuing certificates (what the heck kind of certificates????) to those hostages that were to be released. They were the ones who picked up the captives and drove them in a convoy to Palestine Square. The Red Cross never once checked on the conditions of these hostages. We are just now finding out how surgeries were performed without anesthesia or painkillers by the (Hamas) doctors at Shifa Hospital. There was never a Red Cross member present. Israel begged them to deliver prescription medication to be delivered to some of the elderly captives. It never happened. Now, here they were. Signing documents and chauffeuring the four girls in their new white SUVs.

When the four girls were delivered to Palestine Square, it was noted by the commentators that they were wearing their IDF uniforms because they were Israeli soldiers. Is our memory so short, that we forgot they were kidnapped in their pajamas and their sweats on the very early morning hours of 7 October, 2023? These were not their uniforms. In fact, they were not even IDF uniforms. It was all a well choreographed show.

We were absolutely elated to see the girls we had grown to know and love. All Israelis have followed their stories – their lives pre army; the jobs as surveillance watchers they held at the Nahal Oz base right on the border with Gaza; the circumstances surrounding their horrific kidnappings. Who can forget the footage from 7 October? The videos released last February of the 5 girls being selected as sex slaves for Hamas? The girls pleading for their lives…bloodied, beaten, abused, terrified. And here they were. Alive. In seemingly good condition.

The video below contains disturbing scenes.

https://youtu.be/ye4k4Ffyvuc?si=NeZAW7VbwoEbzFVb

Just to clarify, months ago Hamas issued an official statement that Daniella Gilboa was dead, which left her family and friends, and all of us here following the story, devastated. On Shabbat, she was one of the ones returning home. We welcome her lovingly, but now maybe you can understand some of the psychological games these evil people play. It had family and friends in mourning but without a body to bury. The week before the ceasefire agreement was signed, a video was released of a pleading Liri Elbag, crying, head in hands, her hair unkept, her eyes sunken.

We have since found out that the captives were fed and given vitamins in the two and a half weeks leading to their freedom. They were only told of the end to their capitivity that Saturday morning. Just prior to their release, they were allowed to shower for the first time in months. They had subsisted on a diet of rice and a pita, sometimes going without food for days. Prohibited from holding hands or crying, at times they had access to radio and TV broadcasts. One of them learned it was her birthday when she heard her parents wish her a happy birthday during a television interview. They saw posters with their faces on them and joked about the particular photos their families had chosen. They were aware of their families struggles. Television coverage of the protests to have them released gave them strength, they said.

Naama Levy was held with Doron Steinbrecher, who was released last week. All the girls had been used as domestic slaves while they were above ground in ‘civilian’ homes. Much of the time they were kept together in a tunnel, sometimes caged. They were dressed in burqas whenever they were moved from place to place. All the girls slept on the floor and were told Hamas had destroyed all their homes. There was nowhere else for them to go. Some of them met with very senior Hamas officials. All four girls found it extremely upsetting when they realized their friend Agam Berger would not be joining them.

New information came out this past week that when Emily Damari (freed last week) was told that she would be released, she informed her captors that she wanted to remain in captivity and that they let go Keith Siegel (65 year old American Israeli) instead. She had spent some time with him in recent weeks. This is a true hero! Of course, Hamas denied that request. Emily was the one who lost two of her fingers, and raised her bandaged hand in a sign of victory over her captors last week.

After 477 days in captivity, they were filmed in a propaganda video, smiling, speaking Arabic and thanking their evil captors for taking such good care of them. They are seen receiving certificates (of appreciation?), souvenir Palestine keychains, lanyards and swag bags before they enter the Red Cross vehicles.

Surrounded by masked, gun carrying Hamas guards and cheering crowds, they make they way from the vehicles and are led onto a stage, where they are paraded before the crowd. Rather than cowering, they are waving and smiling and raising their hands in victory. It is a sign to Israelis of their resilience and toughness. They made a point of not being dehumanized and resolved they would not be humiliated. “We showed them on the stage that we were not fazed. We are stronger than them(sic),” stated Daniella Gilboa.

Obviously these Gazans still had photo printing resources as they had strung up flags and banners throughout Gaza City. The backdrop of the large stage was an immense, official looking canvas banner. The girls were posed for photo ops in front of it. Look closely and read – in Arabic and English: “Palestine: The victory of the oppressed people vs the Nazi Zionism”. “Gaza is the graveyard of the criminal Zionist”. “The Palestinian. Fighters of freedom will always be the victories (sic)”. “Al Aqsa flood revolutionaries against Zionist injustice and criminals.” I had someone translate the aarabic in the middle of the banner for me. It has a picture of an Al Qaassam guard with the words ‘Battle to flood alAqsa.’ That’s the mosque on the Jerusalem Temple Mount. On the desk between the two Palestinian flags is a circular picture of the Dome of the Rock. (which is not even alAqsa). All well-staged propaganda to show the world who was really in control and that they were winning.

At the base of the stage there hung another battle. This one was written in Hebrew, proclaiming “Zionists will never win.”Below the writing are photographs of Netanyahu, the Mi inter of Decense, the head of the IDF, Knesset members. The badges are all symbols of individual IDF units. Beware!!!

And then there was “the glitter lady.” oh my word. If it wasn’t so darned weird, it was just downright hysterical. The woman in the full black burqa throwing handfuls of glitter and confetti onto the Hamas guards. Like a fairy with her basket. The entire scene was just so surreal! Where’d hey get the glitter? Like, there’s no Michael’s down the street that I know of…. just soooo soooo weird!

All of this was to give a show of who is really in command. Because only a legitimate government or organization holding sway over a particular part of land would be able to put in an official ceremony such as that was. The videos of the girls in the Red Cross cars was a fully set up production. All four girls, speaking g in Arabic, were profusely thanking their captors for their clothes, their food, their treatment. They were treated fantastically. And they were even invited to come back. Isn’t that nice? They were even filmed together before their release declaring what a great time they had and smiling and waving for the cameras. May the hand of fortune be upon you! Cheers!

https://youtu.be/dYNlf69SlnM?si=dPpSDcq1opdkk8sW

We’ve been getting all kinds of information out since the release. Liri Elbag had reported for training/duty at Nahal Oz only the Thursday night before that fateful Saturday. The eighteen year old had been serving for only a day and a half there. They had a lovely welcoming party that Thursday night. Of the 19 girls on base from that unit, 7 were abducted, the others killed. One of the abducted soldiers was rescued after two weeks, the other killed by Hamas, her body dumped for the IDF to find.

If you watch the videos of the hostages being returned, many of them had their hair braided. This was done by another hostage, Agam Berger, who was supposed to have been released but was not. Agam has turned her captivity into a resistance symbol by performing small acts of love when she comes into contact with the other hostages. Her signature braids, intricately woven into those about to be released, is a mark of determination and resilience. Last week Doron Steinbrecher reported “Agam braided the hair of the girls she knew were being released, even though she remained behind.”

Reunion after being held in Gaza 49 days…. Braids by hostage, Agam Berger

In the meantime, according to the Israel/Hamas agreement, civilians were to be allowed back into Northern Gaza yesterday. They were not permitted to return yet after many continual violations of the ceasefire agreement, Arbel Yahud , 28, will be set free along with Agam Berger, according to the original agreement. A list of the condition of the remaining captives was also to be honored. Of those still on the initial list of 33, who is alive? Names? They must adhere. Last night the midnight deadline had passed without compliance.

As of this afternoon, after immense pressure, Hamas has agreed to the surrender of Yahud and Arbel on Wednesday….as well as the three hostages set to be freed on Saturday as written. Although the Israeli government still received no names, they received written word: 18 of the remaining captives are alive, 8 are deceased. Israel will hand over 400 convicted Palestinian terrorists. Israel will begin to allow Gazan civilians (uniforms off, I imagine) to cross not the north along the coastal route.

For a genocide, it already looks like the. Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea with Moses. The photos speak for themselves-

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January 23, 2025

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Simple Addition. War Stories. Day 484. 22 January, 2025

I’m really not that good at math. But I can do simple addition. And there are just way too many things that are not adding up. That are just not making sense or are way out of the ordinary capabilities of my thinking.

Last Sunday, all of Israel sat tensely, gnawing their fingernails as the ceasefire with Gaza was to go into effect. A list of names of the hostages to be released was delayed for over 18 hours. No one knew who the captives would be or whether they would be alive or dead. It wasn’t until just before that the names of the three girls was released.

What has come to be known as “Hostage Square” in downtown TelAviv was packed with people watching the live footage on the big screens of the hand off. The rest of us were glued to the televisions. Nervous. Anxious to see in what shape the girls would be. Why did AlJazeera get the exclusive news coverage? Why was no other news agency allowed in to film the events in Gaza?

First take (by everyone): if there was a true genocide taking place in Gaza, then why were the streets crammed full of hundreds of thousands of people? All angry men and young boys chanting ‘Khaybar Khaybar, yo Yahud….” basically ‘Death to the Jews(remember the Khaybar massacre)” How could there be that many people?

If there were only civilians, innocent civilians, then why were all these men in Hamas uniforms? Why did they all carry guns? Where did all those white trucks come from carrying all these militants? This was an entire army. There seemed to be very few if any ‘civilians.’ This doesn’t add up to all those narratives we’ve been told.

The Red Cross was unavailable to the hostages. They never once saw the hostages while in captivity. No assessments of conditions, no humanitarian aid given, no medications sent by Israel delivered to the captives. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. So why was the Red Cross involved in checking the girls beforehand, handing them officially from Hamas to waiting IDF helicopters, taking credit for their impeccable care of Romi, Emily and Doron?

If there was a famine, a complete crisis where people were actually starving to death, then why did all these people jumping around on the tops of cars, chanting in the streets, waving guns and Hamas flags for the cameras…why did everyone look so well fed? How could they have that much energy? Last I heard, a starving person is quite lethargic, having to conserve vital energy in order to live. How come???

O.K. I understand that these Gazans would want to make their hostages appear to look good, but swag bags were given to each of the girls as they were put into the Red Cross SUV’s. Each bag had a cute little Hamas sticker on it. Each bag contained a Palestinian flag lanyard, photos of the girls in captivity (as a remembrance of those good times they had???), a map of Gaza (in case they wanted to return?). Is this some kind of a perverted trick or what? It just doesn’t add up.

Certificates of participation? Good behavior certificates?

To make things even more surreal, each hostage had to pose with a smile (look at their faces as they run to the car – sheer terror) as they received a certificate from their Hamas captors!! No this is not a joke! It was the weirdest, sickest thing ever! Each certificate was signed by…. a Red Cross official. Just so weird…. Can anyone make sense of this for me?

https://youtu.be/MCxGJ5gi98o?si=piUUHyb8uErqrw-6

Back to these innocent Gazans. Why were their uniforms pristine if they had been fighting in tunnels and on land in the choking Gazan dust for 484 days? Could it be that when they are walking about the streets of the city, they wear civvies? Could they disguise themselves as civilians, not terrorist Hamas operatives so they won’t get shot? The math does not work.

When you begin to add everything up, the thing that just does not compute is three innocent girls who had been taken captive as they were in their apartments or at a dance festival were traded for 100. 100 caught in the act, tried and convicted felons. Convicted for murder, attempted murder, planning a terrorist attack, attempted terrorism, illegal entry into a sovereign nation, kidnapping, rape. Nothing works out here if you do the math, no matter how hard you try to rearrange the columns or make those numbers fit. I think we’re dealing with exponents now?

We all know there is absolutely no water and no electricity in Gaza. It’s what we’ve been told for years. Israel controls the utilities. Israel withholds basic food, water, medicine and power. We know this. Right? So can someone please explain to me just why all these men were filming the hostage release on their cell phones, because they all had cell phones, and they were all charged. How did they obtain such luxuries? How could they find enough electricity to charge all those phones? I cannot for the life of me make these figures add up-

So. Now. We wait. Once again. This time more anxiously than the last. Tomorrow Hamas is supposed to release the names of the next four women to be released. Saturday. Or maybe Sunday(these guys just don’t seem to want to follow any of the set rules of the game)? Tomorrow is the day the list of the remaining 26 captives is handed over… with their state of beingness. Who is alive and who is dead? The four members of the Bibas family will be included on that list. Those are the two babaies taken, now ages 1 1/2 and 5. We hope. We pray. We wish. We “please, G-d.” We steel ourselves and brace for the worst. Please, G-d, let them be alive!

“Mr Fafo” is a well known Palywood actor. You can see him in many photos of dead or wounded Gazans. He has 13,593 lives it seems. Here he is an AlJazeera press agent

Midnight addendum: Friday 23 Jan

Hamas has refused to give a list of names of who is alive and who is dead. They will only give numbers of live bodies and corpses to be released. This was not part of the plan, it is just more psychological warfare on their part. How long can this go on?????

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Posted on

January 19, 2025

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Hizbulla war, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel news, israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Politics, Uncategorized, War stories

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Hard Times…On the Edge War Stories. Day 481. 19 January, 2025.

Another incredibly difficult day here, and it’s only just after one in the afternoon. John and I just came from the house of mourning of another IDF soldier, Aviel Wiseman, just 20 years old, who fell in Gaza when a building he was in exploded. His parents, Mordy and Mira are the nicest people and very active in the Poriyya community. They are American Israelis. We have been friends with several American families in that beautiful little village overlooking the Sea of Galilee. They are hurting really badly, but have tremendous faith that the L-rd will see them through this. The father spoke at Aviel’s funeral. It was heartbreaking. Please, dear readers, I invite you to write the Wiseman family by sending me directly your letters of sympathy and support or by posting them in the comments section. I will see that they get them by next week.

In other news, the saga with the hostage deal continues. Over Shabbat, the Houthis fired two ICBMs towards the Jerusalem area. Thank goodness they were both shot down. It caused hundreds of thousands of people to run for shelter on an otherwise edgy Shabbat.

Hamas, as usual by playing psychological games, would not release the names of the three hostages that would be released back to Israel today. They were supposed to give the names of the captives 24 hours before the trade-off (4:00pm Israel time).

Israel on the other hand released the names of the 150 terrorists behind bars serving life sentences for murder. They will be released shortly by Israel. The ceasefire was supposed to begin at 08:30, but was delayed for over two hours until the hostage list was surrendered. In the meantime, in a last-minute daring operation by an elite IDF unit, the body of fallen soldier, Sha’ul Oren was recovered. He fell in combat during Operation Protective Edge in July, 2014, and his body has been held in Gaza all this time. His parents will hold his funeral this afternoon, giving them some sense of closure, at least.

Also this morning at 06:30, the Israeli Supreme Court denied all requests to halt the release of several convicted terrorists (including Ari Fuld’s murderer). So the “deal with the devil” as many are calling it is still on. The Nahal Brigade has already withdrawn from Gaza after 15 months of fighting Hamas. Most of the people we’ve seen and conversed with today are incredibly sad and afraid of what is to come.

Member of Knesset, the coalition, and head of the Othman Yehudit Party, Itamar Ben Gvir, turned in his resignation from the government just this morning. In a statement, he said, “In light of the approval of the reckless agreement with the terrorist organization Hamas, which includes the release of hundreds of murderers – responsible for the blood of men, women and children – who are being freed to Jerusalem and Judaea and Samaria, along with concessions on the IDF achievements in the war, the withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza, and a cessation of fighting in Gaza, we consider this agreement a capitulation to Hamas.” Two other Othman Yehudit members, Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Amichai Eliyahu also left the coalition.Three other Knesset members also tendered their resignations. Whether new elections will be called or whether this creates greater instability in the government awaits to be seen.

In other major breaking news as of just an hour ago, Hamas finally gave up the names of the three young ladies set to be handed over this afternoon. They are Doron Steinbrecher, 30; Romi Gonen, 23; and Emily Damari, 28.

Doron Steinbrecher was taken from her Kfar Aza apartment on 7 October, 2023. She was a veterinary nurse whose last voice message to her friends said, “They’ve arrived, they have me.” In a released video, footage of her was seen where she appeared alive. That was in January of 2024.

Romi Gonen was at the Nova Music Festival. She had been shot in the hand. Released hostages recall seeing her and reported that she was alive, but badly needed urgent medical care for her injury.

Emily Damari is a dual Israel/British citizen. She, too, had been abducted from her apartment in Kfar Aza when the Hamas terrorists entered. She was also shot in the hand and arm and had receive massive shrapnel wounds to her leg. Emily was blindfolded, and at gunpoint, led to her own car and driven into Gaza. She had been seen alive by hostage who returned in 2024. She is the last British citizen to have remained in captivity.

We prayerfully and hopefully await their imminent return. Families have just been notified and the IDF has set up a team of doctors and therapists to help with the transition period. The general public has been advised to be patient, and give the returned captives time to process and be with their loved ones for as long as their private time takes.

Israel is in a state of complete mixed emotions and feeling right now ranging from relief that some of our sisters will be home to helplessness and anger over the release of terrorists. From a jihadi perspective, this is not an agreement. They are celebrating and calling it a hudna, a temporary truce until their Islamist umma can regain its strength in numbers, militarily, financially and can rearm. They are currently claiming victory over Israel. Most Israelis we have spoken to, realize that it is an appeasement, and a reward for terrorism. Releasing these murderers will only lead to further attacks and kidnappings for ransom both in Israel and the Western world. The country is (heart)broken.

However, our troops do need a reprieve from all their fighting. They have been battling terrorists on the land, under the land, in the air and at sea for nearly a year and a half. There are multiple fronts: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, internally here in Israel, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran. There is a growing Hamas presence in Judaea and Samaria that must be dealt with. Terrorist attacks in the “West Bank” are on the rise. Jewish owned and tended agricultural fields are being set ablaze. Vines and olive trees are being ripped out of the ground. Historical and Biblical archaeological sites are being destroyed and built over. There is a real land grab happening with Arab settlements expanding and cutting off Israeli villages and roads. Car rammings and shootings by terrorists against innocent motorists and pedestrians are on the rise there.

In Gaza, our boys have been fighting urban house-to-house guerilla warfare. We have heard actual stories from soldiers serving there that makes one’s blood cold. Hamas terrorists are controlling the humanitarian aid sent in. They withhold the food from the civilians until they are complicit in fighting. A small child of about ten years old will be given food for his family if he plants an IED in the street and then lures IDF soldiers to drive towards him. The fighting going on there is very dangerous and a large number of soldiers have been killed and injured just in the past week.

There is a possibility that after Trump takes office, we will enter a new phase of this war. Perhaps even some more moderate Arabic nations will sway towards helping Israel in some way. More armaments that the Israeli government has contracted (ordered, bought and paid for) from the US will be delivered. The Houthis must be stopped. Besides firing at Israel almost daily, they have completely disrupted vital shipping routes in the Red Sea.

In Syria, the Assad regime is no more. In its stead is a Sunni ISIS leader, Al Sharaa. His military, “the rebels” has promised peaceful coexistence with the Christians, although we have seen otherwise. They speak of a peaceful border with Israel, yet their fighters have been recorded as chanting for the takeover of all of Israel on their march to recapture Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. They are being supported by y Turkey. Erdogan, the President of Turkey, wants to reestblish the Ottoman Empire, conquering all of Israel and the Levant. The IDF now controls Mt. Hermon and a very small, but very strategic high point and buffer zone along the Syrian border.

Israel (with the aid of the U.S.???) might be planning on attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities now that their regime has been weakened. Iranian opposition by the people to the Ayatollahs is growing stronger daily. We have o watch and pray over that whole situation.

In the meantime, as of the last time I checked Israel news (10 minutes ago), videos have emerged over Hamas driving openly around the streets of Gaza. They are waving their Palestinian flags and firing off guns as they hang off of pickup trucks and dance in the streets. No one has any idea of how this will end. Those of us in the North are relishing our “freedom” and trying to get as much done as possible before the ceasefire with Hizbulla ends on Thursday. I sincerely hope the IDF has destroyed most of their capabilities to launch missiles and drones I our direction.

Until,y next post, I ask you please, please to send me any notes of encouragement to the Wiseman family. They are precious people. I know it will mean a lot to them.

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twdunbar2015

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January 16, 2025

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israel, Israel Gaza war, israel news, israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Politics, Uncategorized, War stories

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The Devil’s Deal. War Stories. Day 478. 16 January, 2025

Look carefully at this photo. Look at this beautiful Israeli family from the village of Itamar in Samaria. Shortly before we made our first trip to Israel in 2011, two Palestinian terrorists broke into the village and brutally stabbed, shot and killed five members of the Fogel family in their beds. Udi and Ruth and three of their children, Yoav, 11; Elad, 4; and Hadas, 3 months old. They were murdered as they slept. 11 year old Tamar, who was spending the night at a friend’s house, found her family in pools of blood the next morning. The murderers, Amjad and Hakim Awad received life sentences for stealing weapons, breaking and entering, conspiracy to commit murder, murder. They expressed no remorse at their trial, proudly reenacting the entire scene.

This was my friend, Ari Fuld, 45, the most amazing person. He was always there to help answer questions about life in Israel after we made Aliyah. Many days, you would find him at the Western Wall or in the old city of Jerusalem, proudly giving tours and helping people to pray. He helped steer my son into the Foreign Relations department of the IDF, and was always available to help me adjust to being the mother of a soldier. Whenever I needed something or had a problem, Ari was always there finding a solution. Dubbed ‘The Lion of Zion,’ Ari was a bold advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. A strong reservist in the army. Husband. Father.

In 2018, while out shopping for his wife on a sunny Friday morning just before the High Holy Days, Ari was stabbed in the back, slicing through a main artery. Bleeding out profusely, he jumped up, chased the attacker over a small wall, and shot him moments before he could stab a lady on the sidewalk. Ari fell to the ground and died.

The 17 year old assassin, Khalil Ali Jabarin, was treated for gunshot wounds to the leg. He stood trial and was sentenced to life in prison.The Palestinian Authority pays Jabarin’s family $400/month for his service….its called Pay to Slay. If Jabarin had been killed in the attack, the family could be eligible for up to $3000/month.

The beautiful Dee family moved from London to Efrat, a Judaean city and suburb of Jerusalem. The family was on their way to a Passover vacation in Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in 2023. Rabbi Dee was in one car with his son and daughter. Maia, 20 and Rina, 15, were traveling with their mother, Lucy, 48, in the other car. As they were driving through the Jordan Valley, the car was ambushed by terrorists who forced them off the road and into a ditch. The passengers were then shot point blank by gunmen. The girls died immediately. Lucy succumbed to her wounds in Hadassah Hospital three days later. Their assassins received life sentences.

478 days ago, Hamas terrorists by the thousands, followed by civilians of Gaza, broke into Israel – killing in cold blood, raping, looting, burning, taking back young women as sex slaves, kidnapping the youngest babies, elderly, men and women, Jew, Arab, Bedouin, foreign visitors to Israel. It did not matter. Altogether over 250 people were taken hostage. 101 are still held captive. Plus the body of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin taken in 2014; an Ethiopian youth, Avira Mengistu, (bipolar man who crossed over the border) in 2015; and Hisham al-Sayed, an agricultural worker who was abducted in 2016.

Of those 104 people kidnapped, we have no names of those that are still alive. We have no way of knowing exactly how many are still living and how many are dead. Everywhere one travels in Israel, are remembrances of the missing. Yellow chairs in a city square. Stickers plastered all over bus stops. Yellow flags waving from freeway overpasses. Posters on buildings and apartments. Empty table settings at IKEA. Placards with each victim’s name lining the people mover at the airport. And rows and rows of cars. Actual cars that have been bombed out with windows shot out from the Nova Music Festival from which scores of young people were abducted or killed. The cars, spray painted yellow, now line Highway 2, the coastal route, in stark memory of those still missing.

We want each and every hostage returned. Each life is important, from one year old Kfir Bibas to 86 year old Shlomi Mansour. We want them back, please G-d. But at what cost? Israel has just made a deal with the devil. After Hamas actually rejected hostage return deals eight times, Israel and Hamas late last night finally reached a ceasefire agreement.

Phase One of the deal has Hamas releasing 33 people. There will be a 42 day ceasefire. We don’t have a list of names yet. Or know whether they are alive or corpses. Supposedly they are to include the little children, women, elderly, female young women. It will happen over six weeks, with one small group of 3-4 being released a week. Israel will allow 600 more aid trucks into Gaza, plus the beginnings of reconstruction of their electrical grid and water/sewage systems. The IDF will withdraw to agreed upon boundaries. Everyone in Gaza will be allowed free passage back into the northern part of Gaza. There will be a complete dismantling of IDF military sites. In addition, Israel is to release over 1300 Palestinians terrorists. For every Israeli captive swapped, 30-50 prisoners who have beconvicted of terrorism would be set free (depending on whether they were traded for a live or dead body). The morals and ethics of this country state that no Israeli is left behind. Bringing the hostages back is crucial for the healing of our nation. But this is a way of rewarding Hamas and all terrorists around the world that are watching this unfold now. What are the long term consequences? How will Israel be able to prevent future acts of violence? This sets us up for future kidnappings down the road. It’s a dangerous precedent. The Hamas operatives have won and they know it. Already last night there were fireworks coming from some of the neighboring Arab villages. In Nablus, Ramallah, Gaza and in other places throughout the world were celebratory mobs calling for future martyrdom and the taking of all of Palestine at any cost.

https://youtu.be/JwDs1bxDgx0?si=TpVgnExmFrOF3xWz

https://youtube.com/shorts/FRtBtYQfr1k?si=IROk93sN-G0vJSv0

Hamas was never pressured by the international community to make a complete surrender. They are still sending over missiles into Israel EVERY DAY. The media is not even mentioning that these released prisoners are actually terrorists with blood on their hands. Those above who were convicted and sentenced to life for brutal acts of murder. Traded for innocent civilians. Babies and grandparents dragged from their homes for over a year. The media is saying that the Gaza death toll is almost 50,000 – not even mentioning that most of them are actual terrorists.

For more than one year, both Palestinians and the international community has been screaming that the Gazan casualties are not proportional to 7 October. If this hostage deal does go through, how is that proportional? The mastermind of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, was actually traded in a 2015 hostage swap. 1000 convicted prisoners were set free back into Gaza and the West Bank in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Many of these prisoners, now hailed as heroes, rose through the ranks of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. They would go on to plan and carry out brutal stabbings, shootings, car rammings and the entirety of 7 October. This deal is a double edged sword for Israel.

What all this actually looks like, still remains to be seen. President elect Trump has vowed to work with Israel to ensure that Gaza “ never becomes a safe haven for terrorism.” Both Knesset members Ben Gvir and Smotrich say this is a bad deal and “dangerous from a national security checkpoint.” Foreign Minister Saar stated that they had to “choose between the bad and the very bad… but we have a commitment to free our brothers and sisters.” Literally, the devil is in the details, and there is still much that remains unresolved. It is being reported that Israeli authorities will not be allowed to re-arrest released prisoners on the same grounds they were originally convicted. Some will be deportees to Qatar, Iran and Turkey.

After a set time (2-3 weeks after the original ceasefire), the terms of Phase 2 will be negotiated. This will include complete cessation of all hostile operations. Another exchange of abductees (soldiers and males), a full IDF withdrawal and talks on reconstruction efforts (by whom and at whose expense?) There will be a following third stage where all bodies held (corpses) will be located and returned to Israel for interment. The fate of the strategic Philadelphi Corridor that runs between Gaza and Egypt.

The details must be finalized. There must be an approval by our Knesset and also our Supreme Court. We can only watch and wait for what is to come – and for who is allowed home. We will welcome our captives with open arms. I pray they and their loved ones will have a complete healing – emotionally, mentally and spiritually as well as physically.

Israel Dreams

"When G-d will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with glad song." Psalm 126

Tag Archives: Israel Gaza war

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The Sendoff: War Stories Day 483. 31 January, 2025

Our Strong Heroines. War Stories. Day481. 27 January, 2025

Simple Addition. War Stories. Day 484. 22 January, 2025

Hard Times…On the Edge War Stories. Day 481. 19 January, 2025.

The Devil’s Deal. War Stories. Day 478. 16 January, 2025

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