Shalom all.

Israel Update – Day 12 of the War.

Well, the war continues and two major events took precedence is a multitude of media sites and newspapers between last night and this morning: (1) A bombing of a hospital in Gaza and (2) the arrival in Israel of U.S. President Joe Biden.

As most of you are probably aware, there was an explosion in Gaza. The terrorist organization, Hamas, immediately posted through every possible media source that a hospital was bombed, that the IDF did the bombing and that 500-800 were killed as a result. This contained three lies: (1) a hospital wasn’t bombed, it was a hospital parking lot; (2) the IDF didn’t do the bombing, but it was the result of a missile launched by Islamic Jihad that went astray and failed to get out of Gaza; (3) the numbers of dead were drastically reduced, without an exact number being given. There is abundant photographic proof, as well as admissions from the terrorist organizations in Gaza, that the intended target was somewhere inside Israel (possibly even as far north as Haifa, if it was a long-range missile). Despite the clarifications and proofs that it was not Israel, but the “Palestinians” who were responsible for killing their own, the narrative in most places didn’t change and Israel still came out as the one responsible for the damage and deaths. For some people and governments, they would prefer to believe the lies of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, because the lie aligns itself well with their own worldview and desires. Demonstrations against Israel flared up in a multitude of different places within minutes of the “false” report of the bombing. Media bias still plays a large role in “persuading” the people, rather than properly reporting and informing. They’ve made up their minds and don’t want to be bothered with the facts. At least one foreign government official thinks differently. British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made it clear that the reports that Israel bombed a hospital was based on information that came from “the terrorists who control Gaza” and that we should not believe Hamas just as we don’t believe the Kremlin. Well said.

In the meantime, U.S. President Biden made an historic visit to Israel this morning, being the first U.S. President to come here during a war. He was warmly received by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His visit included a meeting with the war cabinet, with families of those who were taken hostage by Hamas and with a woman who was held as a hostage. He said that “Israel is still the safest place for Jews [and I] promise you that we will do everything so that the world will know this.” The President made two statements today to the press, along with Netanyahu. In a joint statement from a hotel in Tel Aviv, Biden admitted that Israel was not to blame for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza, based on what he had seen. He repeated the atrocities committed by Hamas, saying: “The terrorists from Hamas murdered more than one thousand three hundred people. Slaughtered, including some Americans…Rape, beheadings, bodies burned alive – Hamas committed atrocities that recall the worst ravagaes of ISIS, unleashing pure, unadulterated evil on the world. There’s no rationalizing it…They committed atrocities that make ISIS appear more reasonable.” Then he emphasized the commitment of the U.S., stating: “We must ensure that you receive what you need to defend yourselves and we promise that this is what will take place.”  In an effort to try to put things into perspective from the point of view of size, Biden said that the Hamas attack was equal to “fifteen 9/11s.” 

In his second address, President Biden said: “The State of Israel was born to be a safe place for the Jewish people. While it may not feel that way today…Israel must against be a safe place for the Jewish people…75 years ago, the founders of the State of Israel declared that this nation would be a nation based on freedom justice and peace. The United States stands by your side in the defense of freedom, in the pursuit of justice and in support of peace – today, tomorrow and always. That’s our promise.”  

In his statement concluding the visit, Biden said that when he returns to the United States, he will ask Congress to approve an unprecedented support package for Israel’s defense.: “You will have enough equipment for an Iron Dome, whatever is required, to defend Israel. We have military assets in the area.” At the same time, the President clarified that the “Palestinian” public is not Hamas, adding: “I asked the Israeli cabinet to allow aid, of course on the condition that it does not reach Hamas. We will transfer one hundred million dollars to aid the displaced people in Gaza.”

The Hezbollah also welcomed President Biden and launched anti-tank missiles into northern areas of Israel. The IDF responded appropriately and a short while ago, it destroyed to locations from which those missiles were fired. During his visit, Hamas also fired rockets towards Beer Sheva and areas surrounding Gaza. Shortly after the President left, sirens again blared in the area of Gush Dan, as well as Samaria, among other places, shattering a few hours of silence, as rocket barrages were first into Tel Aviv and neighboring communities..

The above are the highlights of the day. With President Biden no longer in Israel, we return to the war and its related events. The north is definitely heating up, while Iran has threatened to join the fray if Israel commences a ground offensive into Gaza. The massive build-up in the south indicates that troops will be sent into Gaza soon. And, if Iran follows through with its threat, a missile bombardment from Lebanon most likely will follow. Hezbollah is flexing its muscles in cross-border confrontations. 

There were a lot of other things that happened today, with many of them generating an emotional response with tears. For now, we still need considerable prayer support. Thousands have been displaced from their homes in the south as a result of the murderous Hamas assault. In anticipation of the opening of a second front in the north, thousands are voluntarily leaving their homes and moving to different areas for safety. They want to avoid the physical and emotional horror that they experienced during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Many are being hosted by families in different cities, while others are being put up in hotels, with a partial subsidy from the government. The extent of the move away from the north has not yet been determined. But, 

Please remember our sons, and all the sons and daughters of Israel, who are wearing the uniform. There are at least 25 members and first-degree relatives of members of our congregation, who are presently serving in the IDF in different capacities and locations.

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7 – emphasis added)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin