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February 12, 2025

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hostages, 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 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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December 4, 2024

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food, Hizbulla war, israel, israel news, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Recipes, Uncategorized, War stories

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Ceasefire. War Stories. Day 425. 4 December, 2024

Recipe Edition!

It’s hard to believe that just last week we were running to find safe spots to get out of the range of falling missiles and shrapnel several times a day/night. Last night I slept for 9 hours straight, a record for the past year. Not complaining, but the traffic here is absolutely unbelievable Who’da thought our small highways would ever resemble Southern California’s gridlocked freeways?

It seems that everyone, absolutely everyone, is out and about. I had not realized how much this war has affected people. It reminds me of the days immediately following the lockdowns of 2020/2021. Schools are fully in session in person for the first time this school year. The stores are packed. The movie theatres, restaurants and cafes are full. Hiking trails? Oh my goodness, don’t even think about being alone in nature at this time!

Our friend Romi, an engineer in the northern border town of Shlomi, last week went to work in his office for the first time in almost one year. It had suffered from indirect hits and shrapnel. Windows were shattered, walls spattered with holes. His 3D printer was majorly damaged…. Many people are going to the little towns and villages just to see the damage incurred. Some are viewing homes and communities for the first time, and from what my neighbor told us, security guards must let you through (proof of living/working there required). A few communities right up against the border are still occupied and guarded by the IDF because it’s still technically a dangerous war zone.

In the first four days of the ceasefire, there have been mortars and grenades hurled at Israeli soldiers from Har Dov on the Lebanese side. Hizbulla operatives were seen in a no-go zone on the first day. They had returned to regroup, but were immediately arrested. A drone from Lebanon that entered Israeli territory was shot down by Iron Dome. There have been other major infractions, but the IDF has immediately responded by firing on the perpetrators from the air. And so it goes. Obladee obladah.

Now that things are a little more quiet, I can share with you the recipes so many of you have said you missed. For starters, it has become a tradition that every year when the Jewish people read the part in the Bible where the story of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup/stews, I share a new lentil recipe. This year, it’s amazing!!

I was first introduced to this bowl of deliciousness by our friend, Marc. It’s called SHALVATO (shall VAH’ toe). It is a staple and comfort food throughout the Middle East. Every culture and person seems to have their own version of this dish. It’s basically a grain and tomato recipe, very simple. The Druze add zucchini. The Lebanese use barley. Some Jewish people from Syria and Yemen now add chunks of fatty meat. It’s similar to the Sephardic/Mizrachi Shabbat Hamim, or the Ashkenaz Cholent, but way better, and vegan. Shalvato can be eaten as a side dish or just enjoyed by the bowlful. It’s so easy to make, and is becoming a favorite in this house. This recipe is from Rami Kahan, but I’ve made a few changes…. Try it this winter. Get ready to fall in love-

SHALVATO

serves 6. Vegan

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup barley
  • 1 can small red lentils (or 3/4 cup dried red lentils)
  • 2 cups boiling water (more if using dried lentils)
  • 2 large meaty tomatoes chopped (Roma are good)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 large TBSP (22BX) tomato paste
  • 1 15 oz. can (I use a small bottle of Muti polpa) tomatoes, chunks
  • Olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp baharat/Rambam spice (see recipe below)
  • Salt, pepper

Baharat recipe: (makes about 1/4 cup) This is a highly aromatic, warm spice blend popular throughout the MidEast. Great addition to meats, soups and stews as well as veggies…. Mix it all well and store in an airtight jar.

  • 2 TBSP cumin
  • 1 TBSP coriander
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4+ tsp ground nutmeg (I always put a bit more)

In a large bowl pour boiling water over barley and let sit for an hour or more until til all liquid is absorbed. In the meantime, in a large skillet, heat oil until shimmery. Add in onions, garlic and mushrooms. Sauté over medium- high heat until transparent. Stir in the Baharat spice blend and stir about 1 minute until fragrance is released. Pour in the tomato chunks with liquid as well as your chopped fresh tomato. Mix together over medium-high heat about 2-3 minutes. Add in the canned lentils (if using dried lentils, they must be rehydrated and softened in boiling water like the barley). Mix well. Add in the barley. Mix well. Stir in salt and pepper and additional cumin to taste. Lower heat to simmer, and cover. Let flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Serve hot. This can also be made in a crockpot on low for Shabbat. Seriously good enough to trade your birthright for….almost.

This is the basic. I play around and add in what I have on hand

CHOPPED AUTUMN SALAD

Serves 4. Vegetarian (dairy or meat, if desired)

With all the heavy winter meals and for some of us who just finished Thanksgiving and are looking to lighten up before the next round of holidays, this is a great meal. Nutritious, filling, easy, versatile and seasonal. You can add the cheese (or not), or add in grilled chicken of steak slices (or not). Adjust to suit your palate and pantry. Another staple in our house-

Ingredients:

  • Choice of lettuces (try some arugula and leafy reds and dark greens)
  • 2-3 beets, roasted, peeled, cubed
  • 1 sweet potato or pumpkin, peeled, cut into cubes, roasted until tender
  • 1/2 cup cooked, cooled quinoa or bulgur
  • 1 red apple
  • 1 green apple
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 1 large stalk celery, cut up
  • 1/3 cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, toasted)
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup blue cheese (optional)
  • 1-2 roasted chicken breasts, sliced (optional)
  • Leftover steak, sliced (optional)

Vinaigrette:

  • 1 TBSP sherry vinegar
  • 1/4 cup good extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 TBSP lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

So, when we were in Venice for 2 1/2 days, we were smart and economical. Instead of spending a couple hours at an expensive sit-down restaurant, we ate like the locals. I’d heard about this, and the experience was so amazing and so absolutely delicious, we ate at cichetti bars (chick EH tee) lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, late night snack and second breakfast. All were incredibly out-of this world gourmet fantabulous…..and incredibly cheap. They are eaten to go. Pick your plate and take out your food to eat at an outdoor table Each cichetto ran 1-2€ a piece, so the whole meal would be about €15 for the two of us.

I had a list of several places I’d wanted to try, so after a museum, we’d find a cichetti bar. They are literally little bars the locals frequent. You can get a glass of very good red or white wine for 2-3€. Go up to the glass vitrina or counter and pick out your cichetti, or little bites. Often open faced sandwiches (baccala/creamed cod, pumpkin and Gorgonzola, herbed creamed cheese with pickled radish, fired rice balls, savor/sardines in a flavorful onion, raisin, pine nut sauce, fried artichoke hearts, tapenades and sun dried tomato pastes and pestos with cheeses on baguettes) the combinations were endless! Some of my favorites were the fig and Gorgonzola on a thick toasted cracker; the roasted beet slice with a dollop of buratta/mozzarella ball and a splash of balsamic on baguette; the toast with a sautéed mushroom and onion reduction; the baccala (now I understand Rosemary Clooney’s “Hey Mambo!”); and give me ANYTHING pumpkin!!

The world of Venetian fast food to-go: an epicurean delight!

We’ve been eating my own version of these tapas like bites since we came home. It’s a great way to be creative with the leftovers. One of my staples is the “pickled” shallots, which can be served as a base for chopped cucumber and tomato drizzled with olive oil, or a slice of cold cut, or a piece of hard cheese. Easy and delicious!

“PICKLED” ONIONS

I found out everyone in Venice used Cippolini onions. They are sweet and mild, but I can’t find them anywhere in Israel, so I use shallots. It works just as well.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup thinly sliced cippolini onions or shallots
  • 2 TBSP sea salt or 1 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

Mix all together in a bowl. Refrigerate and use within 4-5 days. Serve on sandwiches or as a base for the little bites.

Enjoy!!!!!

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November 27, 2024

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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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4-D Chess. War Stories. Day 418. 27 November, 2024

I really do not want to be writing this the day before Thanksgiving with so much else to do. First: thank you all for your blessings and congratulations on our anniversary. May we have another 40! Second: to those who said we could come back to California and have a safe place to stay and for those who have repeatedly urged us to move back to the States, please understand that this is our home. We HAVE decided this is where we will spend our days until/unless the voice of the L-rd deep down inside our spirits tells us otherwise.

Third: this particular blogpost is written mostly for those who have reached out over the past 24 hours to tell us that they are so happy there is finally peace. That the ceasefire is an answer to prayer. That now we can live in relative quiet. I do not want to be patronizing, but the situation is very complex. It is not a peace deal. You are witnessing a game of 4-D chess played out by very cunning world leaders.

Last month, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, were issued arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and for orchestrating a genocide. These two charges are absolutely false. Nevertheless, several world leaders including French President Macron gave statements saying the two would definitely be arrested if they ever set foot on French territory.

President Biden, also, is no fan of Israel, despite what you might read or hear on the news. We have endured numerous ceasefires and pauses in Gaza to our detriment. Arms shipments, contracted for, paid for, promised, have not been delivered to Israel in the middle of a war on seven fronts. Hostages have not been returned. In his last days of the presidency, Biden, in need of a foreign policy win to secure his legacy and to save it from the other disasters his administration has created, has carefully orchestrated a no-win scenario for Netanyahu.

In 2016, in the remaining weeks of the Obama administration, sanctions were passed against Israel. $6 billion was handed over to Iran, the head of the snake in the Middle East, and essentially a green light was given by the United States for Iran to develop its nuclear (weapons) capabilities. It created a very dangerous situation, and led to the arming and build-up as well as the emboldening of all Iranian terror proxies surrounding Israel.

Again, Israel is being held up against a wall, essentially being forced into a ceasefire. If Netanyahu did not agree to the deal, there were many possible scenarios that could have been taken. Biden threatened to introduce a resolution to the UN Security Council to sanction Israel unless they agreed to the ceasefire. The US is the sole veto vote in favor of Israel on the Security Council, so bringing a resolution against Israel would necessarily pass. No arms at all would be given to us. Extreme economic boycott of Israel would result. If it did come to that, the UN would unilaterally agree to create a separate Palestinian state on Israeli territory. The capital, Jerusalem, would be divided up, with the Palestinian capital set up there. These are orders that are irreversible on the world stage, in essence making Israel a pariah among nations. This is no exaggeration, nor is it conjecture. These are themes that have been rehashed over and over on the negotiations tables of the world.

To further ensure this, just this morning, the UN dismissed Alice Nderitu, its special advisor on genocide, for disagreeing that there is an Israeli caused genocide happening in Gaza. “ Beyond Ms. Nderitu’s fate, the damage here includes defining genocide down. The word has become a weapon of political propaganda that will erode its moral authority when it’s needed to describe genuine horrors.” -The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. Nderitu, an accomplished mediator and negotiator, has served at the UN since 2020. She explained in a paper and address at the UN that while the conflict has caused significant loss of life, Israel’s actions aim to dismantle a terrorist regime, not to exterminate an ethnic group. She noted that the IDF has made great effort to minimize civilian casualties, while Hamas uses civilians as human shields. She clashed with Secretary General Guterres’ narrative and was fired. This puts Israel in an even more precarious situation.

Now to the ceasefire agreement. The carrot on the stick was that the necessary arms… more Iron Dome defensive missiles, ammunition, bulldozers would finally be delivered. Israel, fighting a multi front war, is currently running very low on ammunition. 89% of Israelis polled by the Times of Israel yesterday stand United against

this ceasefire agreement . That is an overwhelming majority of the population. Over 19,500 missiles and rockets have been fired at northern Israel from Lebanon since 8 October, 2023. Approximately 190 million square meters of land have been burned due to Hizbulla rockets and drones. Over 200 Israelis have been injured and 115 Israelis have been killed on the northern front, of which 42 were civilians hit by rocket fire and shrapnel. Over 86,000 Israelis have now been displaced from northern Israel due to ongoing Hizbulla missile and drone attacks. Approximately 9,000 buildings and 7,000 cars have sustained some sort of damage, 1,000 of which have sustained serious damage, This is a war that was not started by Israel. Yet Israel was on the cusp of victory with Hizbulla. Perfect timing to declare a ceasefire- when full victory is within reach.

Since the surge by the IDF into Lebanon this past October, numerous terror tunnels have been found deep underground. It was discovered that Hizbulla and the IRGC were planning an imminent invasion of the North very similar to the Gaza invasion of Israel. The plan was up to massacre as many people as possible and overtake all the cities to Haifa. They held the threat of 200,000+ missiles aimed not only at places in the North, but also ICBMs that could reach to Tel Aviv and beyond. The threats were not just perceived, but real.

Israel had been dismantling the entire terror structure within Lebanon. Weapons caches and rocket launchers have been found, photographers, categorized and destroyed. Hideouts and tunnels blown up. In southern Lebanon, once a Maronite Christian area, now taken over by terror groups, whole villages containing armaments, weapons manufacturing facilities, rocket launchers, and terror tunnels, have been demolished. The head of Hizbulla, Nazralla, was elaminated along with scores of top-level operatives. Just yesterday, Israeli troops reached the Litani River, which was where Hizbulla was supposed to be contained according to UN Resolution 1701. The IDF troops conducted extensive raids on Hizbulla strongholds, uncovering and destroying dozens of rocket launchers, hundreds of rockets and weapons depots hidden in the mountains there. Over the past year, many IDF soldiers gave their lives to mitigate the terror that put civilian lives at risk.

All throughout yesterday afternoon and late into the early morning hours, Hizbulla bombarded Israel indiscriminately into the North, into the center of Israel and Tel Aviv, all along the coast, and into the West Bank communities and communities towards Israel’s Eastern border. Sirens were going off constantly as drones and missiles whizzed overhead. Booms rattled the homes and the land putting residents on edge. Most schools in the North had been closed since October, classes being held by Zoom. Residents of the North were warned by Home Front Command to stay indoors in shelters. The terrorists to the North were trying to get off their last payloads before any deal could be agreed upon. Israel responded by striking their weapons depots and headquarters in Beirut suburbs after giving 20 minute evacuation warnings. Myriad of Air Force sorties deep into Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley targeted terrorists and their hideouts.

Yesterday, the Israeli Security Cabinet voted on a joint U.S./French initiated ceasefire agreement with Hizbulla. The deal set a 60 day pause on all hostilities between Israel and Hizbulla. The IDF will remain in southern Lebanon for 60 days gradually pulling back to the Israeli border. The Lebanese army (not Hizbulla or IRGC or terror groups) and UNFIL will take over the IDF sites, patrol and guard. These two entities were put in place in 2006 by resolution 1701 to ensure that Hizbulla operatives would not come near the Israeli border in the 6 mile buffer zone. It was a total failure. Both parties stood idly by as the terror organizations became entrenched in southern Lebanon. So much for lasting security, as it was never enforced. So why trust these peacemakers now?

According to the deal, there will be no border buffer zone in southern Lebanon, meaning the residents of southern Lebanon will be free to return to their homes up to the border with Israel. The real danger here is that Hizbulla and IRGC operatives will take off their uniforms, dress as civilians and enter in to retrench, regather, and rearm. Just five minutes ago I checked my news feeds. Despite IDF warnings advising Lebanese civilians against returning to the villages during the early stages of ceasefire, live television footage shows insurgents and Hizbulla operatives driving in the town of Khiam near an IDF tank. This is less than 1 mile from Israel’s border near the Israeli town of Metulla. Warning shots were fired by IDF and a report has been filed, but so far nothing has been done. Insurgents have been filmed mocking the ceasefire and taking selfies near the manned Israeli tank. This is preposterous!

From their livestream just a few minutes ago-

The Lebanese government (without an elected leader forover two years now) is to oversee all arms purchases and production, meaning terror groups will not be able to have access to new weapons. This is a weak government at best, who, in the past, has succumbed to Iranian bribes and threats and has allowed for a Shi’ite takeover of a once strong Christian government. Israel is to expect them to be able to control the flow or production of arms to their soldiers only? Think about this….

The US will head the international body overseeing the deal’s implementation and France will also sit on this panel.

A side letter between Israel and the United States reads that Israel has the right to act whenever it sees an immediate threat from Lebanon and can enforce the ceasefire if Lebanon and the international forces fail to do so. If Hizbulla violates the agreement by moving south of the Litani River, Israel is to notify the international oversight committee regarding the nature of the violation, The language is quite ambiguous as to who will then do what and when.

There are separate agreements between Israel and the United States; France and Lebanon; Lebanon and Hizbulla and Iran, Hizbulla, France and the US. Worked into this ceasefire deal are also secondary agreements between the Shi’ite Muslims, the Christians and the Druze communities in Lebanon. There are so many parts and little details to uphold, that no way in hell can this be truly monitored.

This war cannot end until Israelis feel safe to return to their homes, businesses and communities near the Lebanese border without the threat of attack, invasion, or missile strikes. Mayors of the border cities as well as the IDF soldiers that are serving in Lebanon are absolutely furious over this agreement for ceasefire. It is a deal that is doomed for failure, at least where Israel is concerned.

There are those that say it is just for 60 days, that Netanyahu and the government are just biding their time until Trump can come on the scene January 20. In the meantime, Turmp is being closely monitored himself. He can have no communication on foreign policy or with foreign leaders according to the provisions of the Logan Act. There can be no prior negotiations before he takes office. His hands are tied until he is inaugurated. I can only hope the team he has assembled, which appears to be very pro-Israel, will let us finish the job of rooting our evil to be able to restore peace to the region for both Israeli and innocent Lebanese civilians.

The only path forward for Israel is to assert national sovereignty. It must not be swayed by nor dependent on foreign entities for approval or for military aid. Israel must learn to develop its own weapons and rely on the strength of its own military and government, fighting its own battles, setting its own borders. For now, we wait cautiously. We pray that by this appeasement we will have at least some favor in our push in Gaza and in negotiations to get the 101 remaining hostages back. It is a tenuous period.

An acknowledgment to Dalya who pointed out my mistake in yesterday’s blog about the antisemitic violence in Chicago. I will issue a full correction in my next blog…until now, my pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes are calling me back into the kitchen.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.

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October 4, 2024

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fall feasts, Hizbulla war, Holidays & Feasts, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel news, israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Politics, War stories

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It Came in With a Bang Day 362. 4 October, 2024

For the Jewish people, New Year’s Eve is not brought in with parties, balloons, champagne toasts and fireworks….well, not usually this year it was different.

I decided at the last minute to make a little Rosh haShannah Seder and meal in thanksgiving of the great miracle the previous night. Iran launched 180-200 intercontinental ballistic missiles directly at U.S., and none fell into a populated area. Many were intercepted. Many fell into the desert. The only person killed was an escaped Hamasnik from Gaza that was walking the streets in Jericho. The fact that there were no more casualties was miraculous.

Still, there was a definite pall over the holidays. Usually, the neighbors are out wishing everyone a sweet new year, people are visiting friends and families with large gift baskets of fruit and wine and sweets and flowers. Usually people are happy and the street is lined with the cars of family members who traveled to be with their parents or grandparents. It’s a time of large family gatherings here.

The high holy days, or days of awe are also a holy time, when Jewish people attend synagogue (like many Christians go to church on Christmas and Easter). Rosh haShannah is a day when G-d in all His glory and splendor is crowned King of the Universe, King of Kings of Kings. He is sovereign and reigns supreme. It is a day when sins are confessed and forgiveness is requested both from G-d and from those we have personally wronged.

This year, everyone was instructed to stay close to a protected area. No large gatherings outdoors or indoors. Many congregations chose to split up and have smaller minyanim in community centers, private homes and the like. Even though the majority of the people turn off phones, radios, and televisions during the holiday, this year we were instructed to be able to hear the instructions of Home Front Command just in case anything was happening.

The day started off somberly. So many soldiers and reservists who had been fighting in Gaza or in Judaea and Samaria were looking forward to a short leave to go home for the holidays. Four more battalions were called up on Wednesday to serve on the Northern border. We knew there would boots on the ground imminently, but it was not something that was publicized in the news or on social media.

When I first moved here and when Max went into the army, the parents were instructed to never put down in writing on social media troop movements. “My son’s unit is being moved from central Israel to the Gaza border” for example. Or “I was driving on the highway today and saw about 50 tanks on Rte 6 heading North tying up traffic.” Or “My daughter told me hospitals are preparing for a large influx of patients because troops will be moving in.” No.No.No. We do not give up any information that could compromise our position or fall into enemy hands and be used against us. I was given these instructions repeatedly.

So it was understandable when my neighbors and landlady and other people I knew were absolutely irate at the United States. At a press conference on Wednesday, Jake Sullivan, one of the president’s top advisors leaked that the Israeli response would be limited. That the army was going into Lebanon on a limited scale. Very limited troops only 4 kilometers into the very Southeastern tip. It would be just to clear out the villages there of Hizbulla operatives to remove the threat.

Is it any wonder or surprise that just at sunrise yesterday morning, 8 of our beautiful young men walked right into an ambush and were killed? And that over 30 were evacuated to the nearest hospitals for immediate treatment?

It was indeed a sad morning. But it grew more and more – I can’t even begin to find the words…exasperating? Maddening? Suspenseful? John and I were not afraid, but all day the missiles were being lobbed across the border by Hizbulla. We would listen as the red alert would go off on my phone and we would see where the next volley was headed…. Tiberias, Migdal, Kibbuts Degania, Ein Gev, Genesseret, Kfar Nahum, Korazin; Kiryat Atta, Acco, Kiryat Motzkin, Ein ha Mifratz, Kiryat Biyalik; Kfar Vradim, Terence, Madj Al Krum, Karmi’el, Shorashim…. On and on it went all through Thursday and all through Friday….and then a lull from about 2-6am this morning. New Year’s has definitely started off with a lot of fireworks and bangs.

On Wednesday, I would prepare dinner and pack for our trip until a siren came. Then I would get under a protected space. The dangerous part is falling shrapnel, so it’s pretty important to stay somewhere that your head is covered by thick, reinforced concrete, like an inside doorway or a stairwell, if there’s no time to run to a safe room. Yesterday I did not walk to synagogue. I stayed home and prayed out of my prayer book for the holidays. Later in the afternoon I did take a couple videos of incoming, but they can be rather frightening to those who are not used to this. So I will not post those. If you want me to send Amy directly, DM me…

After hearing the siren and getting an all clear, I’d go out and take photos. Some missiles were shot down right over our heads. The local police monitored the streets continually in their patrol cars. And a text would go out from the city to warn of falling shrapnel. We were instructed to call a certain number if we saw any shrapnel or unexploded rocket parts. Do not go near them as they can be deadly. Even the mayor was out, driving around and checking on people.

We were awakened a little after 6 this morning to red alerts and the volleys of missiles – usually in groups of 10-20 have been coming over throughout the day. I’ve had to stop this writing three times already to enter into our safe room. It’s exhausting physically and mentally.

You can hear the thuds at the vey end as more missiles are taken out in the distance

So, the UN still has not condemned Iran for the massive barrage. Te international community its says nothing about the pounding we are getting. We all say, that at Ramadan, Israel was urged to pause the fighting in Gaza so the Muslims could have their holy time. We complied, like idiots. But at the Jewish holy days? Not a word. We get pounded even harder. There is no call for Hamas, Hizbulla, Iran or any of the terror proxies to cease fire. It’s decidedly lopsided.

And then, we are really, really mad. At our own government. At the US administration. At Iran. Netanyahu made a statement on Tuesday that Israel would respond to Iran’s attack Wednesday night proportionally and soon. The US quickly got involved setting out lists of what we cannot strike: oil fields, refineries, storage facilities, manufacturing facilities, their population centers (we never go after innocent civilians), and their nuclear facilities.

Both Biden and Harris publically stated that Israel has a right to defend itself. Israel has a right, bla bla bla. To quote from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal:

After Tuesday’s missile attack, he (Biden) is already telling Israel the targets it cannot hit in self-defense. Asked Wednesday if he’d support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the President said, “The answer is no.” This is extraordinary. Even before he talks with Mr. Netanyahu, the President engages in public lobbying aimed at blocking a sovereign state and American ally from deciding on its own what is the best response to a direct military attack on its territory.

Iran attacked Israel for the second time in six months, it Mr. Biden tells Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khameni that the U.S. will help the regime protect its most prized and threatening military asset….Mr. Biden doesn’t even wait to keep Iran guessing.

If Mr. Biden won’t take this opportunity to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, the least he can do is not stop Israel from doing the job for its own self-preservation.

Kamala Harris, on the campaign trail, yesterday (Rosh haShannah) said that she would withhold the delivery of arms to Israel. She does not support any further acts of (Israeli) agression. She is burdening us with what is to be.

On another note, John went to the bank a little while ago to use the ATM and get some money for the trip. We had a siren in our neighborhood and I saw the paths and expected targets of the 14 missiles. So they were headed for my immediate neighborhood. Marc and I ran into the saferoom, heard the booms. I waited 2 minutes and then went out. John came back a few minutes later. I asked him where he was when the siren went off. He didn’t have one. He was walking between two buildings downtown when he heard and felt the booms. He saw the puffs. Everyone that was downtown just continued about their business. Most things were closed today. But there were still people out and about going. It’s just all so weird!!!

The amazing thing is how exact the pinpointed warnings are. Our bank is just 2 miles away from our neighborhood, yet we had sirens but they did not. The technology is absolutely incredible. The precision!

The other good news is that the IDF soldiers rescued a Yazidi young woman in Gaza earlier this week.Fawzia Sido was captured in Iraq by ISIS at age 11, ripped away from her family, and sold to a Palestinian jihadist as a sex slave. She was resold later that year to a man in Gaza (who was a Hamas civilian terrorist) and held there against her will for 10 years as a sex slave. After eliminating her host/terrorist, she was taken to Israel for evaluation at a medical center. The 21 year old was escorted back to her home country where she was reunited with her family on Wednesday. Hopefully the rest of our 101 captives will also be rescued soon.

For the third time since I began writing this… it’s really getting old. We had 4 more missiles intercepted and crash right overhead. So what happens if you are in the bathroom? It’s a question asked frequently here. Showers last about 3 minutes, because one never knows…. Me? I just stay where I am. When it’s my time, it’s my time. But I’m not trying to rush down marble stairs dripping wet wrapped in a towel. Nope. Just not gonna do it. TMI-

As you can see, it’s back to snaxxxx and I’m really mad about that, too. Darn you, terrorists! I’ll diet in November….

We are almost packed and are planning on leaving tomorrow night. With a hugely long layover somewhere in Italy. I just pray we will be able to get out. And no, we will be returning right after Yom Kippur. My husband has his last scans and tests. He will be cancer free 5 years now. From Stage 3.5+ to now. It’s nothing short of miraculous, and definitely something to Hallelujah about!!

Hopefully, nothing eventful will happen over the next week. If it does, we will be on top of the news at all times. I hope I don’t have to do a blog post, but if there is anything going on, I have my neighbors and friends to keep me posted. There goes four more booms. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. House shakes. Windows rattle. It off in the distance, so…and one last thud for good measure. Prayers no one is hurt…

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September 29, 2024

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It’s Our Turn Now, Baby! War Stories. Day 359. 29 September, 2024

I can’t keep these days straight anymore.

So much happens in such a compact part of time. And our sleep has been fitful at best. It’s our turn now. Last I wrote, was Thursday night.

I guess the Hizbulla terrorists were a bit upset, maybe even hoppin mad because we short circuited some 1500+ of their upper eschelon with exploding beepers and walkie-talkies. Then Thursday evening the Israeli Air Force started taking out their rocket launch pads. Seems the buggers had an inordinate amount of missiles, but a limited number of launchers. We saw a weakness and went after it.

Thursday night we got our first real barrage up North in our neck of the woods….. like 20-40 missiles headed straight for our area. Then scattershot all over the Upper and Lower Galilee in heavy salvos all through the night. We have an Iron Dome on the mountain adjacent ours, so the anti-missile missiles go right over our house. At one time they were intercepting missiles directly overhead. Usually our siren goes off when there is danger (we have 28 seconds, but….). I ran downstairs and out of the way of the very real threat of falling shrapnel. I did get some nice video though….

I didn’t realize the missiles would be exploding directly overhead. I skedaddled just at the loudest house-shaking booms happened. Safe room, here we come!

It continued like that through Friday. It’s pretty amazing. No red alert. Clean the bathroom. Then, red alert on our phone, mammad (safe room) BOOMS! All clear. Change the sheets. sirens. Mammad. CRASH! BOOMS! All clear. Do a little gardening. Mammad. Fix dinner. Mammad.

A couple friends from California called last night and asked if I was totally afraid? No. Not at all. Seriously. I have this incredible simplicity to believe Scripture. G-d said repeatedly that he would take care of us. Protect us. Defend us. Rescue us. Deliverer. Call me naive, but He said, not me that He is my fortress, my shield, my high tower, that He would hide me under the shadow of His wings. He’s G-d. He said it. Who am I to argue? It’s just easier to believe Him. I try not to be stupid, but….. He said 365 times, “Do not be afraid.” “Fear not, I go before You.” “Take courage for I am with you….”

So, I am not afraid, but stressed out – that’s another story. You see we were supposed to fly out for my father-in-law’s funeral. And we made sure all our kids have flights and hotel. But on Friday afternoon, we got this awful message:

The IAF was busy bombing homes (McMansions) in Lebanon that had been built by Hizbulla to house missiles. The weapons were hidden and stored in homes,and the Iranian proxies paid monthly stipends to their Shi’ite Lebanese terror sympathizers who would cooperate with them. And now they were returning our fire. And Alitalia pulled its service. We were screwed. And mad. And super stressed out.

I know it was Shabbat. I lit the candles and we started our lovely home liturgy and BANG! Mammad.OK. 10 minutes and out. I served the salad and we started the salmon. Siren Mammad. BOOMS! Maybe 16 or so. They sounded really close. Crap. This is just insane. No real danger sensed. Just anger at the stupid inconvenience. John and I try not to use our phones on Shabbat, but this was no ordinary Sabbath. So we spent most of the night trying to find other flights out of Israel. We tried ElAl and its subsidiaries, Arkia and UP to destinations in Europe. 27 hour layover in Amsterdam. 19 hour layover in Paris. Nothing available. All booked. No seats. Finally around 2am we found a flight to London with a layover and connector to DC. Just as we went to buy them, the prices changed to over double!! $7914.00 each way per person for British Air from London to Washington!! Just forget it!

We finally got to sleep around 3 as the excitement had died down, but were awakened shortly before 6am to the wail of sirens and the voice of our red alert “Tseva Adom. Tseva Adom. Tseva Adom.” This is how it would continue all morning every half hour or so until about noon. All over the Upper and Lower Galilee.

WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!!! Let’s back things up a little bit. Back to Friday afternoon. President Netanyahu, who was NOT going to deliver his speech at the UN on Friday, told us all on Wednesday, that at the last minute he had decided to fly to New York with Sarah, his wife. She would go to the Ohel, the grave of the rebbe, to pray, and he would deliver his speech. They were to leave immediately thereafter. We were earnestly praying that he would not be arrested by the ICC or ICJ or even the Biden admin and extradited for trial somewhere. Or worse. We prayed he would not be assassinated, a very real threat.

Minutes after he delivered his address before the UN, we got the news that the underground bunkers in Beirut where Hizbulla kept their top brass were bombed. Supposedly, Nasrallah, head of Hizbulla, resurfaced from his hidey-hole for the first time in two decades to watch Bibi’s speech and then plan their next attacks. We heard the IDF got him. But there was no confirmation on that. It was about 4pm our time.

Max & I started our own back and forth. He’s dead! Max said, “no confirmation.” “We got him!” “You don’t know for sure. Wait and see.” We were watching the news for any info all Friday night. Nasrallah’s daughter showed up to the site and is wailing. Surely that is a sign “Wait and see.” The Syrians and many Lebanese are singing and dancing in the streets. Handing out baklawa and candy. “Mom. It’s not official.” By Saturday, the news was official. For the Shabbat observant, who were not yet privy to the news, death notices went up all over town.

To our neighbors who keep the Sabbath

With praise and thanksgiving to the Blessed Name, we announce the passing of

The evil oppressor Hassan Nasrallah, son of Amalek

Taken by the IAF this Shabbat (the details of the funeral will be given at the end of Shabbat) The people of Israel live!

As it turns out, this was in the planning stages for weeks. When the “bait was taken” – the decision to make the speech was also a diversionary tactic – the ‘Golden Information’ was confirmed. Nasrallah would be in an underground conference room with several high staff members. Just minutes before Bibi’s address, he gave the go-ahead for the attack. The planes were in the air, and just seconds after Bibi wrapped up, the Beirut complex was demolished using 83 tons of bombage (is that even a word?). The bunker busters HAD to take down the underground safety reinforced concrete SKIFF. And they did…

The entire operation was kept absolute secret, which in Israel, is an absolute miracle. The goal being to change the entire landscape of the Middle East and to establish new coalitions. This would, hopefully, usher in a new era of peace. The Iranians and Houthis as well as what’s left of Hizbulla are most likely in absolute confusion and paranoia. Four days of mourning have been declared in Iran and the Ayatollah is now in hiding.

Our own rain of missiles continued here…. As I write this, they are still happening. Only now, we only go to the saferoom when we know the rockets are overhead, not just over the hill or the next town over. It’s absolutely surreal.

Last night, a surface to surface missile was launched by the Houthi rebels deep into Israel. It was intercepted by David’s Sling, but millions of people from south of Tel Aviv all the way to Netanya were sent rushing to their nearest protected area.

Now to the South. Let’s go to Yemen where the Houthi rebels are. Last week they sunk an oil tanker in the Red Sea. The leakage is larger than that from the Exxon Valdez. Greta Thunberg, where are you now??? Besides the environmental disaster, the major shipping lane is closed. This will effect YOUR gas prices if oil tankers from the MidEast are stopped or have to resort to a longer route. As of Thursday, the Houthis fired off two more ICBMs at Israel: one took out a warehouse in Eilat. The other fell near Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. No injuries. Iran was currently mediating negotiations between the Houthis and Iran for advanced anti-ship missiles. This had the potential to dramatically shift the balance of power and heighten risks for US and allied naval operations in and around the Red Sea.

As I am writing this (7pm Sunday 29/9) dozens of Israeli jets -fighters, refueling planes and intelligence, have attacked the Raz Isa and Hodeidah areas of Yemen, blowing up their port, their oil refineries and their power stations as well as communications towers…..

Let’s see what else is happening around here today, shall we? Reports coming directly from Arab news indicate that a helicopter crash (piloted by Mossad agent Eli Kopter again?😉) has killed Mohammad Abdullah Salam Salama. He was the intermediary between Iran and the Houthis. Also aboard, a top IRGC commander. Hmmmmmm…… if I was a terrorist I’d be in a hole somewhere, but it seems there is nowhere left to hide.

Just hours after it was announced that Nasrallah was eliminated, he was replaced by Hassan Khalil Yassin of Hizbulla’s intelligence unit. It was he who was put in charge of locating the hard (defense) and soft (civilian) targets in Israel. It was he who sent us the satellite images of Israel’s North, circling military bases, defense plants, malls, schools and residential areas. Less than two hours after he became the official terror chief in charge, BAM! Eliminated by the IDF.

Oops. Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of the IRGC Al Quds force: gone! In ten days Israel has basically wiped out the entire leadership of Hizbulla. By itself. Without foreign help. Without foreign intelligence that has been withheld unless a Gaza and Hizbulla ceasefire was reached (thank you,Ms. Veep). Former President Trump: Israel will cease to exist within two years? I don’t think so!

It seems Israel has taken out the entire top three tiers of terror leaders.

Back to Israel. Home Front Command has cancelled all school activities until after the Jewish holidays in mid October. Maximum 10 people in an open area. 150 inside an enclosed building, but must be close to a protected area.

Jared Kushner, leader of the Abraham Accords and Trump’s senior adviser in a rare interview on X:

In 1983, Hizbulla killed 241 American military personnel, including 220 marines. In the last six weeks, Israel has eliminated more terrorists from the U.S. wanted list than the US has eliminated in the last 20 years, including those who were responsible for the 1983 attacks.

Anyone who has been calling for a ceasefire in the north is wrong. There is no going back for Israel. They cannot afford now not to finish the job and completely dismantle the arsenal that has been aimed at them.The right move now for America would be to tell Israel to finish the job. It’s long overdue. And it’s only Israel’s fight.

Iran is now fully exposed. The reason why their nuclear facilities have not been destroyed, despite weak air defense systems, is because Hizbulla has been a loaded gun painted at Israel. Iran spent the last forty years building this capability as its deterrent.

President Trump would often say, ‘Iran has never won a war but never lost a negotiation.’ the Islamic Republic’s regime is much tougher when risking Hamas, Hizbulla, Syrian and Houthi lives than when risking their own. Their foolish efforts to assassinate President Trump and hack his campaign reek of desperation and are hardening a large coalition against them.

With Hizbulla and Iran reeling, failing to take full advantage of this opportunity to neutralize the threat is irresponsible.

The world can sleep a little bit more safely tonight
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September 2, 2024

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Day 333 War Stories.

During my short visit to the States and from emails and notes I’ve received from you, dear Readers, it is apparent that you are not getting pertinent international news that is guaranteed to affect you. So much is happening throughout the world from mass censorship, protests, restrictions on farmers, the DEI and WEF agendas, mass immigration throughout Europe of non-refugees, recent European elections and changes of leadership, and the radical Islamist agenda throughout the world. It is all working together to create destabilization.

The last week in Israel has been a rather intense one, most of which has not been reported or has been slanted so as not to offend. First, an isolated case of polio was diagnosed in a ten month old baby in Gaza. IDF paramedics quickly took several samples of water sources into Israel to be tested and the polio virus was found in two specimens. Last Wednesday, the Israeli health services sent 25,100 vials of the polio vaccine (developed by Jonas Salk and my late uncle, Harvey Neidorff, both Jewish by the way) via UNICEF and the WHO, to inoculate as many Gazan children and women as possible.

Last Friday a two-week pause in all fighting in Gaza was declared in order to ensure that the population would have the opportunity to receive the vaccine. This is not a complete ceasefire, but a temporary pause in major military activity.

Do you remember the chant “All Eyes on Rafah?” in late May? It was very popular on college campuses, and with certain politicians including European heads of state, the Vatican and President Biden and Vice President Harris. They insisted that the IDF not go into the last remaining terrorist city/hotbed in Gaza- Rafiah on the Egyptian border. Israel was accused of doing enough damage and killing enough people. It was incumbent upon Israel for its existence to eliminate terrorism: to control the Philadelphia Corridor on the border, finding and blowing up terror tunnels and smuggling routes between Egypt and Gaza. To find and eliminate terrorists and weapons stashes. And to find and bring back remaining hostages, alive or dead.

Several high level Hamas leaders and commanders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad groups were killed or captured as of the past three weeks. The new head of Hamas is Yaya Sinwar, mastermind of the 7 October incursion and massacre in Israel. Sinwar was a senior terrorist serving a life sentence in Israeli prison for plotting terror and for murder. While incarcerated, he received two university degrees and became fluent in Hebrew, studying Israeli life and culture. He was successfully treated by Jewish doctors for a brain tumor before his release in 2011 in a massive prisoner swap (1000 convicted Palestinian terrorists for one IDF soldier, Gila’s Shalit). Last week, it was reported that Sinwar was hiding in Rafiah tunnels, changing location every day. He surrounds himself with 20-22 of the Israelis taken hostage and is dressing as an old woman in a burka as a disguise (leading to several really funny memes).

Also in Rafiah, last Tuesday, in the tunnel system, the IDF was in pursuit of a group of 14 terrorists. After an intense firefight at the approach of the tunnel, the elite Shayetet Brigade found an old man sitting, bound in an underground shaft. He spoke to them in Hebrew. Farhan Allkadi Qaid had been held captive for 11 months. He was not Jewish. He was a Bedouin Muslim man, 52, father of 11. He worked as an unarmed guard at the agricultural processing center at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. He was rescued by the Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet (Israeli FBI) and flown by helicopter to Soroka Medical Center. Over 40 pounds lighter, Qaid was in otherwise good condition. He described how he witnessed the slow death from starvation of his 82 year old cell mate, Aryeh Zalmanovich. His testimony included witnessing Hamas murder captives and torture others including operating on hostages without the use of sedation. Qaid himself underwent a makeshift surgery at Al Shifa Medical complex to remove a bullet to the leg….without any anesthesia. He was reunited with family at the hospital and release to his community on Thursday. All of Israel was rejoicing over the rescue of another hostage. It did not matter that he was not Jewish.

Muslim Bedouin hostage rescued by IDF, treated by an Orthodox Jewish doctor
Reunited with his eldest son in Israel’s Soroka Hospital, Beersheva

Whether it is common knowledge or not, Israel has been involved in fighting a major war on several fronts: of course, in Gaza. There is the daily threat of Hizbulla in the North, raining down rockets and suicide drones several times a day for the past 11 months. The Houthis are a true threat to the port city of Eilat on the Red Sea. They have been blocking several sites around the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea, attacking freight liners that dare to enter the area. All are Iran proxies, including Syrian rebels bordering the Golan Heights. Then there is the threat of a Fifth Column, the enemy from within. These are growing Muslim Arab Israeli communities within the borders of the country. Not all, but many have become increasingly hostile to the Jewish and Christian citizens. I will write about this particular problem very soon.

Another unreported threat and war is occurring in Judaea and Samaria. This is the area termed by Yassar Arafat and the media (in the 1970s) as the West Bank. I will also write a blogpost on this particular swath of land next week (I am in the process of doing a paid piece on this subject. Bear with me…) Samaria, the northern part of this piece of highly contested land, is Israel’s Biblical heartland. Much of the writings of the Tanach (Old Testament) occur in Samaria and Judaea. Besides random kibbutzim and Jewish towns, much of the area is desolate and settled by Bedouin and Muslim cities. The city of Jenin, for over a century a hotbed of terrorism against Jewish communities, is labeled as a refugee camp. This sprawling city has been labeled a ‘refugee camp’ by the UN for over 50 years now. It is a known nest of smuggling of cash, weapons and drugs from Jordan into Israel.

The local Imams regularly call for resistance and for intifada against Jews. Intifada is a term that means armed resistance and destruction of the Jewish state of Israel to eradicate the land of Jews and Christians and make it a place for only Palestinians/Muslims.

Why and how does this affect you?

There are cries throughout Europe and the US to “globalize the intifada.” Take this seriously. It is not just a bunch of ignorant university students. These radical Islamists want to create terror and chaos throughout the world to bring it into submission to Allah. They would like nothing else than to impose Shariah law. It is no joke. Look at Detroit and other cities in Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. For them it is a matter of violence and dominance. In Israel, we see the threat and take it seriously. Every week here there is an attempted stabbing, suicide bombing, car ramming. Much of it takes place in the ‘West Bank,’ but sometimes it breaks through.

Last week alone (including this past Saturday night), 3 separate suicide bombers were killed in what we call “work related accidents.” Two men were planning to blow themselves up in Tel Aviv. One at a synagogue and one on a crowded street. Both of their suicide vests containing pounds of explosives, went off prematurely (in an empty parking lot and in an alleyway) before the terrorists could reach their intended locations. The other terrorist was in the process of planting a car bomb in Gush Etzion when the detonation device misfired, killing him, thwarting his plans to drive it into a city in Judaea, blowing everything to bits there.

Just yesterday, three Israeli police, two young men and a woman, were killed in a drive-by shooting close to Hebron, Judaea. Hebron is the site of the Cave of Machpelah, the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah, the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Judaeo-Christian faiths. Today, it is mostly Muslim, with one small neighborhood surrounding Machpelah which is Jewish. The terrorist was found after a lengthy search and eliminated. Saturday, an IDF soldier, Elkana Navon, 20, was killed and three others wounded during clashes with Hamas terrorists in Jenin. There are growing numbers of Hamas associated units acting in local Arab villages on Israel’s border with Jordan.

There has been a surge in the number of illegal weapons flowing into Israel from Jordan on behalf of the Iranian backed Palestinians militias. According to Uri R., a valley resident, “ Small Palestinian villages surround the Jewish communities and they now each have a Hamas squad in it. It is a frightening situation with an all too porous border. We are continually being shot at. The IDF is trying to hold down the roads, as the terror cells try to plant IEDs on the roads and within their own towns to deter any military (IDF) presence.” Daniel Rosenfeld, a resident of Moshav Shadmot Mehola reported, “ Thee used to be a sort of coexistence here. Residents of Tubas and Tamil, which have become Hamas strongholds, used to come to our house for coffee. The man who built my house is from Tubas. October 7 put an end to that idyll.” Their villages are expanding at such a rate as to choke off and isolate the Jewish settlements there.

As a result, IDF presence in Judaea and Samaria has grown significantly. A third battalion has recently been added to rout out the nests of terror and protect the Jews living in the area. People are welcoming the added security on the roads. Older armed IDF reservists are actively engaged in organized patrolling of their own communities, checking border fences, making sure the roads are cleared and watching for the increased threat of Islamic snipers from neighboring towns. Last week, the IDF raided a mosque and found an explosives laboratory within. 17 people were arrested.

The news from Rafiah Saturday night sent the nation reeling. Six more bodies were discovered close to the place where Qaid Farhan (above) was rescued. It turns out that Hamas operatives knew Qaid had been discovered and was possibly giving intelligence to the army and Shin Bet. They heard soldiers drawing closer to where they were keeping the hostages. All six were executed at point blank range with gunshots to the head. This was after almost a year of torture. Names of the recovered captives were slowly released on Sunday morning.

The executed hostages include American Hirsh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Master Sargent Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alex Lobanov, 33 and Carmel Gat,40

All eyes on Rafah. Kidnapped to Rafah. Tortured in Rafah. Executed in Rafah. But the world’s eyes remained closed. The news misreported as usual. Six young people stolen from their loved ones and then deliberately murdered is not a tragedy. It is a war crime. But the eyes of the international community remains shut.

The pain is horrific, shared by all our Israeli brothers and sisters. A fear has gripped many that any remaining captive will be assassinated. I can’t begin to imagine. But it is being used to Israel’s detriment. We have once again become a nation even more divided than before this war began. Immediately, opposition party leader, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid held Netanyahu and the current government responsible. Mass protests, demonstrations and disturbances were called for. Playing right into the hands of Iran and Sinwar, the national labor union called for a massive strike. At 6am today all people in the labor sector and service industry, educators, universities, medical centers, transportation, dockworkers, drivers….would hold a nationwide halting of work. Protests, which started last night blocking freeways, are being held in a nationwide Day of Disruption. An immediate complete ceasefire in exchange for hostages is being called for. Due to lack of personnel, Ben Gurion Airport was closed again this morning creating a huge snafu. Only this time, it was at the hands of our own people.

The majority of the Israeli population, on the other hand, believes in the necessity to complete the operation of eliminating terrorism. As many hostages which can be rescued remains top priority. Evil must be eradicated from the area. Jailed terrorists should not be traded and the radicals must not be allowed to regroup and attack again as they have promised.

The funeral of Hirsh Goldberg-Polin was held last night.

Our country is torn in two once again. The media, both Israeli and globally, is on the side of the protestors. They did not just ‘die’ while in Gaza, they were shot in the face numerous times making the identification of the bodies more difficult. Funerals are being held throughout the land, with the irony of two of the funerals being held up because of protesters blocking the roads. How to go forward? Israel is at another crossroads and needs prayer – lots of prayer. We pray for wisdom for the government and peace within our society. Together and united we will be victorious.

6 dead- or 6 murdered?
Israel says??? As if it’s unbelievable
Talks always rejected by Hamas Not working. Not dependent upon this news
Once again, they did not just die, they were executed
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August 8, 2024

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Multiple Dramas and Urban Legends. 8 August,2024. Day 307

We waited at Ben Gurion International in Tel Aviv for hours and hours as our flight out of the country was delayed. It turns out ElAl had been evacuating stranded Israeli vacationers from Europe, North America and other destinations around the world. When something is happening, Israelis want to be home. Before we even boarded, our designated flight had made a stop in Larnaca, Cyprus carrying a full plane load of returning Israelis. All other airlines had canceled all their flights earlier last week. Hence the major delays.

So how can ElAl fly under threat of MidEast war and Iranian attack by drones or missiles? I had heard from a retired IDF general a couple years ago that ElAl is the only airline in the world that has anti-missile defense on every plane. I also heard that this was just an Urban Legend, so I did some sleuthing on my own. After learning what I now know, I will never fly another airline into or out of Israel. The Israeli chutzpah is inimitable and they are resolute in their service and safety to their customers. So what makes them so confident?

Every aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology (there are many secrets) that detects incoming missiles. Originally called Flight Guard, the system was first developed by the IAF in 2004. It detected any missiles that came into the airplane’s vicinity and diverted them using flares which emit heat, thereby tricking or re-routing the missile’s trajectory. Basically, the flare throws the missile off its intended path of destruction.

In 2015 the airline updated to an even more advanced system, called CMUSIC. It was developed by Elbit Systems in Karmi’el. Instead of relying on flares, CMUSIC is a Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure designed specifically to thwart surface-to-air missiles that target planes. It disrupts the missile’s sensors by using high tech AI guided lasers. CMUSIC is fully automated with a less than two second response time from the time a missile is detected. This system allows the pilot and co-pilot to continue to fly the aircraft without interruption. ElAl is the only airline that does not pause their flight service during wartime while it maintains the utmost security in protecting its passengers. The patented system has been sold to protect the private planes of heads of state, like Air Force One.

We flew out of an imminent war zone and into a Category 1 hurricane, Debby. Yes, I had to play the latest Israeli hit song, Hurricane, because that’s what it seems our lives are like now. The day we flew out, my 97 year old father-in-law, fell and broke his hip. We raced up the Florida coast in a driving rainstorm so that we could get to the hospital. The feisty and determined old Air Force Colonel made it out of a successful surgery on Tuesday and was moved into a rehab facility this morning. So our visit has taken quite the twist.

I’ve noticed that since we’ve been in the States, all eyes are fixed on two things: the Olympic Games, Olympic Highlights, Olympic Athlete interviews and the upcoming US election. Despite current escalation in the Middle East; massacre, rioting and government crackdowns on freedom in ‘B@tsh!t Bonkers Britain;” foiled ISIS terror attack on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna; Pakistani Islamist Massacres of the Hindus; and other world events, Americans are steadfast in their sports with the political scene coming in a close second.

Back in Israel, construction has commenced on our house. The landlady has sent us photos of the work in progress. The roof is being fixed and waterproofed and the mold problem is being excised from the ceiling and walls. The huge concrete planters are being leakproofed. New windows will be put into the skylight and the house will be re-stuccoed and re-painted. I can’t even begin to imagine workers on the roof when a red alert sounds. Have these people become so immune to threat of missile fire? Lordy, I hope that once the house is fixed, it will stand intact if a full blown war does happen.

In the meantime, quite a few Israelis are passing the time waiting for Nasrallah and the Ayatollah to plan and execute their attack. It’s usually announced ahead of time, but things seem a little muddled now. Iran is giving indication that they only wanted to ‘punish’ Israel and not involve any other nation’s armies. The Israelis are doing what they do best: comedy – in the form of stand-up routines, short video clips and memes for social media.

One person jokingly tweeted, “Nasrallah: Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe in a week.” And the responses flooded in. Some include, ”Exactly what the cable company just told me.” And another, “Me when someone asks me when I’m starting to study for exams.” Another person joked, ” My dad: So when are you finally moving out?” Israelis are the most unserious group ever. During trying times, what better way to cope than to laugh?

A friend of mine did a hysterical comedy short about trying to shop for survival food for the family. Snacks, carbs, snacks, carbs, and everything misspelled into horribly transliterated English. Another family filmed themselves during “The Long Wait” with the father napping in front of the TV, one hand with an open book on the rise of Islam, the other hand still in the popcorn. The kids all asleep during an infinite game of “Monopole” (misspelled Monopoly). The dog asleep and snoring loudly. Mother and baby curled up in the comfy chair. And lastly, the cute post of the person marking days off the calendar with the caption “Waiting for Khameni to fire off his rockets already.” It’s been two weeks since the threat came down and the Isrelis are restless.

From the other side of the world, I feel guilty for leaving. But this vacation has been planned for months now. I pray an alternative resolution to this whole mess comes before any further violence occurs. I pray for the protection of the Israeli citizens. And during these Three Weeks/Nine Days, I dread the 13 August or Tisha b’Av, a notoriously disastrous day for the Children of Israel worldwide.

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July 31, 2024

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The Waiting Game. War Stories. Day 299. 31 July, 2024

It’s been a tense couple of days. Netanyahu returned to Israel from norm his US visit early Sunday, Israel time. Immediately the war cabinet was convened to discuss a response to the Hizbulla attack on a Druze town in the Golan Heights that killed 12 children and injured scores more.

Yesterday, Lebanon also sent munitions laden drones over the Mediterranean Sea in attempts to blow up Israel’s Karish oil and gas rigs. As an aside, under the former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, half of the revenue received from the extraction and sale of the fuel go directly to Lebanon. It essentially gives Hizbulla another cash stream, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense that they would want to take it out. In another attack, shrapnel from another Hizbulla missile launched deep into the Northern Galilee hit a 30 year old man on Kibbutz haGoshrim. He was outdoors gardening. By the time the ambulance came, there was nothing they could do to save his life.

Late last night (Tuesday) the IDF announced that Fouad Shokker, aka Sayid Moshen was killed by a precision missile in a Beirut neighborhood. Moshen was the second in command of Hizbulla under Nasrallah. He was the military leader responsible for planning and carrying out terror attacks and military strategy. In 2017, the US offered a $5million bounty as one of the leading faces of a terrorist organization working under Iran. He played a key role in the 1983 attack on the U.S. military barracks in Beirut during the Reagan Administration. 241 American servicemen were killed. He was also wanted for the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Harari. And he planned the Madj al Shams missile strike last Saturday.

The IDF strike was carried out mid afternoon by an F-35, drones and a precision guided missile. The missile struck the exact room in the exact apartment in which he was staying. Shocker’s bodyguard was also killed in the strike, which sends a clear message to terrorists in hiding that Israeli intelligence is accurate; that hiding is futile; that the military capabilities of Israel are undaunted and supreme.

For us, it was actually a fairly peaceful night. We tried to watch the Peseid meteor shower, an annual event in our family, but had little luck seeing any ‘shooting stars.’ Just as well. We woke up in the morning to the big news.

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, worth a cool $4billion, had been assassinated. Just yesterday he was celebrating the inauguration of the new president of Iran in Tehran. He met late last night with Iran’s Supreme leader, Ali Khameni and another leader of the Islamic Jihad movement. Israel did not take credit for it, but Hamas announced Haniyeh had been killed at 2 am in his Tehran home (one of several), in his bedroom. His bodyguard was also eliminated. supposedly, it was a precision guided missile strike from a drone that came straight through his window.

As I write this according to Israel breaking news, according to an Iranian report, one of Haniyeh’s bodyguards leaked the information to the assassins. The report alleges that a short-range Spike missile, from the Israeli American Spike missile program (Israeli developed/US manufacturing), known for its accuracy, was fired at Haniyeh’s bedroom, in northern Tehran from within Iran. The missile reportedly penetrated his bedroom, killing him immediately. Sky News, Arabic, has quoted Iranian sources stating that the building where Ismail Haniyeh was staying was attacked by a missile launched from a nearby building.

So we are now on ultra super high alert. It is strangely silent here. No jets. No helicopters. No drones. All airspace north of Hadera (just north of Tel Aviv) has been halted. Ben Gurion Airport is still open. I’ve heard from 2 vacationing friends that they are taking the next airplane back to Israel today in the event the airport closes. We are supposed to leave for our vacation on Sunday night. Fingers and toes crossed.

In the meantime, I have received messages from the Home Front Command to take all red alert warnings seriously. To be prepared. For what, they didn’t say. So it’s a waiting game. Keep busy is the word of the day.

Our dear, sweet next door neighbor has been called back up to the reserves, we found out last night. Gia has helped us so much and always looks out for us – carrying heavy bags, watering our plants when we are gone, checking up on us, bringing meals when John is hospitalized. He and his wife Yanna have an adorable 4 1/2 year old son, and Yanna is pregnant again, due in late October. Gia serves in an extremely dangerous area. I asked him about the protective gear he was given, and he showed us. It was pathetic. Old and worn. The helmet looked like something left over from a M*A*S*H set and the ‘bulletproof’ vest had straps falling apart and smelled like cat pee.

The IDF is great at some things, but other things…. Anyway, I immediately got on the phone and called up Chaya Hitin, the American Israeli Wonder Woman I wrote about two weeks ago. She and her friend, Dani Mael, have formed Unit 11741 to be of direct help to provide the soldiers with lightweight state of the art protective gear. She was able to hold a helmet and vest for Gia (4000 plus soldiers are on the direct waiting list!) and he was able to pick it up this morning. It is nothing short of miraculous, the things we can accomplish when we all work together.

Chaya was saving the life of a soldier. We were saving the life of our neighbor, a husband and father, so that he could put his life on the line for his country to save us from bad guys. Seriously. There is a Jewish saying that ‘to save a life is like saving the whole world.’ And as my husband, John, said, “We all pitched in and did our mitzvah for the day.” Actually, it was John’s wallet that did the mitzvah (fulfillment of a Biblical commandment or in modern vernacular, a good deed).

So as we wait…. and tick off the minutes as Iran has promised retribution…. I beg you once again. Please. Please. Help us protect our civilians by getting much needed, modern protective gear for our soldiers. It is they who are holding off the advancement of terrorism and evil in the world. A helmet costs only $275. And a bulletproof vest with ceramic plates costs about $800. They are now being manufactured directly in Israel. Go in with a group and sponsor a soldier today. Please. Please. Please. Go to unit11741.com today-

Gia proudly displays his new helmet and swag bag of protective gear

Breaking news: Iranian IRGC commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh warns the people of Israel. “ Be prepared to tell the Zionists what the punishment for shedding the blood of a guest (Haniyeh) in our home.” Cue the creepy organ music-

Not over yet, my friends!

Breaking breaking news: on all the TV stations… Tehran has just raised The Red Flag of Revenge over their main mosque in Tehran. Not a joke, Man. The Religion of Peace actually has a red flag of revenge. Is this kinda like the pirate 🏴‍☠️ Black Spot?????

Our latest update from Home Front Commmand…….

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July 22, 2024

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Day 290 War Stories

A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On

The amount of newsworthy happenings in just two or three days is enough to make one’s head spin. Just take a big breath. Have no fear. Fasten your seatbelts, because it’s a bumpy ride. We have an amazing Pilot in whom we can put our trust. Just pray and don’t worry.

Let’s start with a short recap on MidEast/World news from Friday on.

Friday, the International Court of Justice based in The Hague, Netherlands (he World Court, or judicial arm of the UN), made a decision that all Israeli/Jewish settlements in E. Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria are illegal. This includes cities, towns, kibbutzim, rural farms. For a Jewish person to settle in Judaea is a violation of international law. Israeli (Jews)have no right to occupy Palestinian lands as they are illegal colonizers.

This is very interesting as Israel is actually de-colonizing the land. The people and state of Israel may not have intentionally set out to accomplish this from the beginning (late 1800s onward). Israel after 70AD came under the rule of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Mamelukes, the Ottomans, the British. Most of Jerusalem from1 948-1967 was under Jordanian rule. Jews and Christians were not allowed to step foot in the Old Holy City under threat of death. The Holy sites….the Western Wall, the Holy Sepulchre, the churches around Gethsemane… were used as garbage dumps. When the IDF retook Jerusalem in the Six Day War, it became a city open to all faiths. The Old City was cleaned up and revamped to a place of beauty and relative safety. It became a haven for pilgrims of the three Abrahamic faiths and a top tourist destination. Not only Jews, but Christian, Muslim, Bedouin, Druze, Baha’i and Circassian, religious and secular Israeli citizens can buy land and build in Israel. All Israeli citizens are afforded equal rights. There is no colonialization by the Jews.

Friday, the Israeli Knesset voted to definitively say there will be no recognizable Palestinian State adjacent to Israel. The Two State Solution is impossible and will not happen. To give up more land for peace is a death sentence for Israel. Both parties, from the current coalition to the opposition, voted on this. It is a historic coming-together to make a statement to the world and the international diplomacy.

For the past eight months, Houthi rebels, an Iranian backed terror proxy, have been sent over 225 missiles towards Israel’s southernmost port in Eilat on the Red Sea. From Yemen, the terrorists have been kidnapping ships in the Gulf of Aden. This is a vital international shipping lane on the Eastern Horn of Africa to the Arabian Sea and Asia. These pirates have caused the re-routing of cargo. Their missiles and weaponized aerial drones have been intercepted by Israeli, US, UK and French forces.

Friday night, a suicide drone from Yemen made it as far as Tel Aviv. At 3:12 am, coming in from the Mediterranean Coast, it missed the US Embassy building by 100 yards and crashed into an apartment building instead, killing one person, injuring eight. As the final straw, on Saturday, the Israeli Air Force, in Operation Outstretched Arm, attacked the Yemen port of Hodeida, rendering the port non-operational. This was important, not only because Israel showed that it will stand up to Iranian aggression, but it was one of the longest, most significant air strikes carried out by Israel single-handedly.

https://youtu.be/xD0Urm6B-j4?si=Zy5kaS0LLjIML4c7

The target was a known port of entry for Iranian arms shipments and for weapons storage. It was a sign to the entire Middle East that Israel can refuel its jets mid-air and attack a target precisely, in midday, 1700 kilometers from home. The trip to Yemen is 200 kilometers farther than a trip to Tehran. All aircraft returned home safely. The port is still ablaze. Israel had refrained from attacking Yemen or the Houthis at the request of the Biden administration for fear of escalation in the region, but the suicide drone crossed the red line. The rapid and successful response to the strike within 24 hours (thanks to meticulous planning) shows the entire region that Israel will retaliate to threats from abroad. It proves that Israel can defend itself without the aid of foreign entities. It is a sign of strength, and thus, deterrence.

In other news, on Saturday, the President of Paraguay, Palacios, stated that the Paraguayan Embassy in Tel Aviv would be moved to Jerusalem. Paraguay does not sponsor terrorism, nor does she sympathize with terrorists. The country does not support a separate and recognized Palestinian state and will stand with Israel as a force for good in the world.

The North of Israel remains in a perpetual state of war. Every day the IDF targets high ranking Hizbulla officials, striking them deep in Lebanese and Syrian territory, it has intercepted daily weapons shipments from Iran, but nothing seems to deter them. Every day, scores of rockets and suicide drones cross the border into Israel. Most towns on the border, although evacuated, have been reduced to rubble. You will not hear of this from the media. Both soldiers and civilians have been killed and injured. The threat looms overhead, yet our lives here are hanging. We remain ready for imminent war, yet nothing so far seems to have been mobilized fully.

Over the past few weeks, elections have been held throughout Europe, some with surprising results. The world is rapidly shifting. It is becoming more divided, and certain cities are becoming more dangerous. For the Jews, there is a global shift towards anti Zionism/antiSemitism. Because, it is becoming increasingly unsafe for diaspora Jews, there is a marked rise in Aliyah. The Jewish population is pouring out of France, England, Canada, the United States, Australia and South Africa and moving to Israel. Some far this year there has been a 23,000 rise in Jewish people returning to their homeland. It is expected that there will be at least 8,000 – 10,000 more over the summer months.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin in Paris at the end of this week. To celebrate, Adidas came out with a ‘new’ line of red tennis shoes worn by the athletes during the 1972 Olympics. This was the Munich Olympics, when the Palestinian terrorists kidnapped, tortured and murdered members of the Israeli team. The model selected to promote the shoes was Bella Hadid, a widely followed pro-Palestinian. After much protestation, both Bella and the tennis shoes were removed. She had been pictured with the colors red, green, black and white, the colors of the Palestinian flag. Since being pulled from the ad campaign, Miss Hadid is threatening to sue Adidas.

For the past two weeks, numerous Israeli and Jewish athletes set to compete in Paris have been targeted with death threats. “Dare to arrive in France, we will kill you,” has been messaged to members of the rhythmic gymnastics team. Israeli Olympic swimmer was sent a message with details for his own funeral. “You are welcome to attend the funeral of Meiron Amir Cheruti, born on 19/10/1997, died on 27/07/2024. Use the link below to get the location.” Peter Palchik has also been the recipient of creepy threats foretelling of his upcoming murder. Security is said to be heightened. The Jewish athletes are said to be increasing their bodyguards and security detail. So far no one has pulled out of any of the events.

Everyone is aware of US news from the assassination attempt on former President Trump to the resignation of President Biden from the election yesterday.

Here, I will go out on a limb. Bear with me. Back during the Obama administration, there was a real and true hatred of Israel, namely President Netanyahu. He was stood up at scheduled meetings in Washington, DC, kept waiting and ushered in through the back door of the White House as a sign of humiliation.

President Netanyahu left Israel last night for a scheduled meeting with President Biden (to discuss the Iran threat) and a scheduled speech before both houses of Congress. It all should be quite interesting. This top news lede will be completely overshadowed by Biden’s stepping down and the supposed chaotic state of the Democratic Party. Will Kamala Harris run as the Democratic Candidate and who will she pick as a running mate or will it be a totally different ticket? What about the Biden ballots and the millions of people who have already voted for him by mail? What will happen at the upcoming convention? I am predicting anything Netanyahu has to say will be absolutely buried in the current news cycle. It is the ultimate snub.

And lastly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported on Saturday that Iran is now within two weeks of making at least one nuclear bomb. That makes things even more suspenseful. The main thing is to have no fear. We firmly believe G-d is in control. Things might seem to be spinning to chaos, but just pray and sit tight. Tomorrow’s post will delve deeper into the times and seasons and what to watch for. One thing is for sure, events are happening at a dizzying pace and we are in for an interesting ride.

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July 19, 2024

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Unit 11741. A Backbone for the Soldiers. War Stories. Day 287

This post is a continuation of yesterday’s effort to provide you with vital and up-to-date information on those volunteers most able to make a difference here in Israel. I understand everyone’s resources, time and attention is stretched, but this is crucial. Please read and carefully with much prayer, decide how you can help fight the war against terror. Please, if it is only to raise awareness, to spread the word, to pass this blog along.

Unit 11741 is depending on your support in order to fight and win this war. Chaya Hitin is a valiant Woman of Valor here dedicating much time and energy to this particular project….

Indefatigable: adjective. 1. Having or showing a capacity for persistent effort; not tiring or relenting 2. Incapable of being fatigued; not readily exhausted; unremitting go in labor or effort; unyielding; not giving up

Chaya Hitin is a force in motion. She is an American Israeli, originally from New York, here for 17 years. By day Chaya is a payroll accountant at a Jerusalem law firm. She is also a devoted wife and a mother to 5 young children; a modern Israeli lioness; and a social activist in the best way possible. Her dream is to be able to heal the world and fix the brokenness of the world one problem at a time.

It all started with her giving aid to the needy of Rehovot, Israel, specifically single mothers – first directly and then through finding them the resources where the help they would receive would be most effective for them. Chaya channels all her energy and all he “spare time” to special projects. If she sees a pressing need, she’s all over it.

When the Hamas terrorist incursion into Israel shook this land on 7 October of last year, the army was mobilized and reservists were called up to man all fronts immediately. Rockets were raining down by the hundreds each day from Gaza into the south and center of the country. Hizbulla began incessantly firing their missiles into the North. Because of the internal Israeli political and social divisions, it was thought that only 60% of the reservists in Israel would report for duty. By the close of Day Two, there was a 100% turn-out rate. The thousands of reservists and Lone Soldiers flying in from around the globe, willing to fight in the existential war for the State of Israel, left the IDF logistics centers and warehouses unprepared, overwhelmed and drained of material resources.

The soldiers, from their 20s to their late 60s, had dropped everything to defend Israel. Many showed up to their units with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. By Day Three the entire country had sprung into action on war footing. People were collecting hygiene products and basic gear for the soldiers. Chaya Hitin watched as her neighborhood filled with chayalim (soldiers) left for the front at a moment’s notice. She cried as he next-door neighbor, visiting from Sderot, left his now-evacuated 8-months pregnant wife for reserve duty. He had his gun, but was still wearing his flip-flops!!! Chaya’s home became ground zero as a staging and drop off area. Wives would bring socks and underwear, uniforms and boots left behind. Parents were gathering up sleeping bags, boots and old uniforms, and Chaya would find a way to distribute them.

A soldier leaves his wife for the front armed with only his pistol, 8 October, 2023

Soldiers themselves would call a Chaya directly asking her if she knew a way to get all the necessary gear they were lacking, even though she was just a small, private citizen without access to meaningful resources. By the second week of the war, her neighbor, Maayan, who was in the bloody battles on Zikim Beach in Gaza with his unit of 100 men, reached out for immediate help. Most were young dads with several children. Their gear was old and was falling apart. Adequate protection from flying bullets and shattering grenades was not provided by the old helmets and vests. She knew she must get involved on a higher level. From a grassroots operation, over the course of the past nine months, together with the support of the incredible Rehovot community, a group of global ambassadors, and specifically Beit Chatam, Chaya was able to pull strings, raise funds in Israel and America, and procure 1.6 million shekels ($432,800) worth of tactical equipment. 1150 light, state of the art, protective and bulletproof helmets were supplied by local, Israeli suppliers and immediately distributed to soldiers in need.

Chaya’s forté lies in being a bridge between worlds, in bringing communities together in a time of disunity. At first the army had said that ‘every soldier has what he needs; that they were just catching up in delivery; that there is no shortage.’ But, in fact, there was a dangerously critical shortage of gear the soldiers needed. There were two aspects to this problem.

The first was a security issue. On 7 October, Hamas terrorists raided many of the army bases that lie adjacent to the Gaza border. They pillaged and looted the warehouses. IDF guards were shot point blank by the terrorists even before they could call for backup. What wasn’t plundered and taken back to Gaza was burned and destroyed by Hamas operatives. Even before that, much gear had been loaned by the IDF to the Ukraine in 2022/23. The U.S. emptied their storage facilities of arms and tactical gear in Israel, meant to stabilize the MidEast in times of crisis, and shipped it all to Ukraine. So all of this did create massive shortages.

The second problem was one of quality. The gear the army was providing for the reserve units was old and outdated. Uniforms, fire retardant suits, bulletproof vests and helmets were heavy and cumbersome. And, being 20-40 years old, the gear was not up to demanding and specific current urban warfare military standards. In the first months of the war, soldiers were coming out of Gaza with intense migraines and fevers. What was at first diagnosed as a type of Valley Fever, supposedly caused by the dust kicked up in Gaza, was later found out to be mold and fungus inside the helmets. They had been kept in warehouses for decades, and were unhealthy. This was disgraceful. Hundreds of IDF soldiers had to leave their units and be hospitalized in the first months of the war.

These helmets were from 1974 and still being distributed because it is all the army has

It is projected, that at the onset of the fighting, the many casualties coming in were, in part, due to faulty equipment. This is a new type of warfare. Israel is now relying on drone footage and highly technical instrumentation to seek out underground tunnels, traps laid for the battalions, booby trapped buildings, room-to-room combat. It’s like a virtual reality video game, but it’s all too real. There are human shields being used by Hamas, making the fighting more than dodgy as the IDF is trying to avoid civilian casualties even at the cost of their own lives. After flyers are dropped, telling innocent civilians where and how to evacuate the military zone, four soldiers (from the Egoz Unit) go out into the streets with megaphones warning all to clear the area. These brave IDF soldiers need as much protection as possible as they move between the buildings and through the streets.

https://youtu.be/rk6qoGBr7i4?si=sRFcjy-uEKx3dElZ

When Chaya found out the gravity of the situation, that friends and neighbors were going into battle woefully unequipped and losing their lives, she set out to change the course of events. After seven months of a small, communal project, she joined the logistics team of Unit 11741. Working with Daniel Mael, a digital creator by day, whose family members on the front gave him initial insight into the breadth of the gear shortage, they have advocated for and fundraised for soldiers. At present, distribution has exceeded $20million worth of state of the art protective gear for soldiers. Working long hours round the clock, with no thought for personal gain, UNIT 11741 is an emergency response team on the front lines.

A truckload of new helmets from Unit 11741 for a unit in the North fighting Hizbulla

As requests for protective helmets and ceramic plates/ bulletproof vests poured in directly from individual soldiers and entire units, Hitin and Mael got to work. Gathering a small, but dedicated crew of volunteers who were 110% committed to saving the soldiers’ lives, they called and visited contacts who found other contacts in the US and Canada. They were able to bring in 15,000 helmets and thousands of vests, night vision glasses and drones. So many are alive now because of their efforts.

Priority for receiving protective gear wassually designated by the IDF to combat soldiers over enemy lines. This reality is no longer true. Everywhere was a hot zone. They get calls from thousands of IDF soldiers in Gaza all experiencing shortages. Everywhere is lethal: on all the borders, RPGs and anti tank missiles were being launched. IEDs were buried under streets in areas of Judaea and Samaria (aka ‘West Bank’) waiting for an IDF vehicle to roll over it. The drivers, the medics and paramedics, communications staff, field mechanics, and engineers and much of the military support staff were all under-protected. Hitin and Mael receive footage daily from soldiers under attack, whose bases or army vehicles were blown up.

“Something as easy as a small donation can add up and save a life of a soldier combatting evil and terrorism. This is one aspect where we can each make such a huge impact with such a small action. Make others in your area aware of our current situation. Get a group together to sponsor protective gear for a soldier. Once you become informed, it is a right moral judgement to save lives,” an impassioned Chaya explains. “ They are putting their lives on the line, willingly, for us. These brave and selfless souls are saving humanity from terror. I’m just a small cog in a larger machine. It is just so humbling to see someone who faces death, who faces personal loss, who faces severe injury every day. And yet they are willing to go back in and sacrifice to save not only Jewry and the State of Israel, but Western civilization. This is the least I can do.”

The new helmets are light, provide full coverage and are bulletproof to today’s standards

Problems arose for Hitin and Mael at every step that had to be confronted and solved immediately. All the helmets and ceramic vests that Chaya gave out had to be unequivocally ballistically tested for being bulletproof, providing full head coverage, able to mount a headlamp or camera to the front. Some equipment and gear was stopped at customs for little apparent reason. Mael and Hitin troubleshot the situation by deciding to internally source their helmets. They connected with a manufacturing plant in Netanya, central Israel, to begin producing the helmets to specific standards. This would provide Israelis with jobs, reduce the import costs, circumvent shipping and customs issues, and would be faster in turnaround time.

Still, the gear being given out would cost each soldier about three month’s salary. So many soldiers and unit commanders call each day requesting new protective gear. Unit 11741 is now asking each soldier to fundraise and contribute what he or she can towards the cost of the equipment. Currently, there are over 4000 soldiers on the immediate waiting list. Each piece of equipment given out can save the life of a soldier.

It is unfathomable that nine months into the war, the shortages are consistent and growing exponentially. The current Biden administration has held up promised shipments that during other administrations, were ordered and paid for. Wear and tear from nine months of intense battle means more materials need replacement.

It would be ideal for synagogue groups or church groups, Bible study groups, youth groups, Hillel and NCSY or those preparing for Bar/Bat Mitzvah needing a project, to adopt a soldier or a unit. One helmet costs $340. There are already reports of lives that have been saved because a soldier was wearing this helmet.

Each specifically, ballistically-tested, ceramic-plated insert and vest for maximum coverage of both torso and back while remaining lightweight and navigable is $900. Ballistic protective glasses cost $150 per pair. As of today there is a direct need of 3885 helmets, 2127 vests and 2013 ceramic plates.

Unit 11741 has a 501C and an Israeli amutah. They are a registered nonprofit. 100% of the donations go directly to the soldiers’ equipment. It is all volunteer with no overhead. You can find out more at http://www.unit11741.com. The team is on Instagram @chayasc, @unit_11741 and @themaelman. They have several YouTube videos as well.

Chaya and Mael are depending on your generosity to save the lives of the soldiers who are fighting for us all. To put this in perspective, each soldier has a family, many are young husbands and fathers. There are female combat and tank units. Young daughters. In Israel, we believe that we are all created in the image and likeness of G-d and that every life is precious. The IDF is not fighting Gaza or innocent civilians, but evil and terror-sponsoring regimes that are arms of Iran. The IDF is fighting to protect all the people of Israel. We all need and have heartfelt appreciation for your help.

Just a note: this is not only about saving soldiers’ physical lives. This also enhances and boosts morale. The IDF soldiers have put so much on the line: their families, their jobs and interests for the future of the Jewish people and Western civilization. The cost is so high. We know that Europe and North America are next on the sights of the Islamists. But it needs to end here in Israel. We all need to stand up in the fight against terror. The least we can do is to ensure the soldiers have adequate protection and their safe return to their families.