War! Terrorist Invasion of Israel-Day 15 of the War

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 15 of the War.As everyone knows by now, the Hamas terrorist organization that invaded Israel, stormed communities surrounding the Gaza Strip in the south, butchered men, women and children, and took hundreds captive, released last night a mother and daughter, both U.S. citizens, after they were held hostage for two weeks. The Hamas public relations network went into immediate action and notified the world that this was done for humanitarian reasons. Good news, right? Let’s stop for a moment and think. Why release two American women? If this was truly supposed to be a humanitarian gesture, why not release children first and all women? So far, other people are telling their stories, up to a point. We haven’t yet heard from the two hostages about their ordeal.

Martin Fletcher, a former Israel-based NBC News correspondent, who is related to the two hostages who were released, was interviewed by NBC News about the situation. Towards the end of the interview, he stated: “In this area of the world, nobody does something for nothing.” We know, or at least we should know, that the word “truth’ is not in the vocabulary of Hamas. Another journalist, who is familiar with the way reporters are allowed, or not allowed, to operate in the Gaza Strip, said “The reality is that the Gaza Strip is a hotbed of falsehoods and deceit.” So, if we know that the two American women were not released out of the goodness of the lifeless hearts of Hamas, then there has to be another reason. Attached is an Instagram post from 10th October, 2023, which speaks for itself. At the end of the post, the writer says; “If [Natalie – the daughter] is alive, I can confidentially help broker her return.” In the light of the release of the two women, how are we to understand that post and comment? How are we to understand this particular release in the backdrop of the big picture?

In posting these updates, it is important to relate information that is factual. But, on occasion, it is both important and necessary to express opinion. It is also important and necessary to think about what is expressed in order to come to an understanding of the realities that exist here. Almost everything in the Middle East, and perhaps throughout the world, is open to negotiation. It is a “give and take”, a “quid pro quo”, or as Martin Fletcher stated it: “In this area of the world, nobody does something for nothing.” So, let’s broaden our perspective of the events of recent days and see if there are “hints” at “payback”.

Israel is involved in a war, with an attitude of exacting vengeance on the evil that is called “Hamas”. The IDF said that it would eliminate Hamas without taking into consideration the hostages being held by these and other terrorists. Preparation is underway for a ground offensive into Gaza. President Biden shows up and commits to unequivocal support of Israel, for which we are abundantly thankful. The IDF is pressing on in its aerial bombardment of locations in Gaza. No one is allowed in and no one is allowed out. Hamas urges and threatens the citizens of Gaza not to move out of harm’s way and to stay, even if doing so results in the death or serious injury. Hamas expresses a willingness to negotiate an exchange of certain hostages for supplies and medical aid. President Biden announced that the U.S. will provide $100 million in aid to help civilians in Gaza and “the West Bank” (Judea and Samaria) AND that he obtained a commitment from Israel to allow food, water and medicine into Gaza via Egypt’s Rafah crossing, which was part of the purpose of Biden’s visit to Israel (see the remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, prior to that visit – <https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-remarks-to-the-press-on-president-bidens-upcoming-trip-to-israel-and-agreement-with-israel-to-develop-a-humanitarian-aid-plan-for-gaza/#:~:text=It%20is%20critical%20that%20aid,the%20people%20who%20need%20it.>).

Now, a 20-truck convoy containing humanitarian aid for the “Palestinians” is entering Gaza for the first time since the Hamas onslaught two weeks ago today. According to Blinken, this follows days of “exhaustive” diplomatic discussions by the U.S. with Israel and Egypt. He added: “Palestinian civilians are not responsible for Hamas’s horrific terrorism, and they should not be made to suffer for its depraved acts.” <https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/blinken-welcomes-start-of-aid-to-gaza-still-working-to-get-foreign-citizens-out/#:~:text=Blinken%20says%20the%20reopening%20of,saving%20assistance%2C%E2%80%9D%20Blinken%20says.> Along with the lifting of restrictions, various governments and international organizations are pressuring Israel to delay its planned ground offensive. So, we received a promise of support, but we’re asked to change our military plans designed to eliminate Hamas and related terrorist organizations; to consider delaying our plans for a ground offensive; to allow humanitarian aid to assist the “Palestinians” (which Hamas will most likely confiscate), but to continue with our stated goal of eliminating the terrorists, while doing everything possible not to harm “Palestinian” civilians. I don’t know about you, but this certainly sounds like “one hand washing the other”. I realize that some who will read this will see only what Biden agreed to do for Israel, without considering the possibility that there was a secondary goal for his one-day visit here. This is an expression of an opinion that can be accepted or rejected.

But, the bigger point is the misunderstanding regarding the “Palestinian” citizens, whom Blinken said (in expressing Biden’s opinion) that they “are not responsible for Hamas’s horrific terrorism, and they should not be made to suffer for its depraved acts.” The problem is the failure to recognize that the Hamas terrorist organization was and is part and parcel of the “Palestinian” people living in Gaza. They had elections back in 2006 – after Israel vacated 21 settlements and 9,000 residents in the Gaza Strip in 2005) and the residents of Gaza chose to be ruled by Hamas (which is an acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement). The attempt to convince the world that there is a difference between Hamas and the rest of the “Palestinians” living in Gaza (as well as Judea and Samaria – the “West Bank”) is either an egregious failure to understand the make-up of “Palestinian” society, or worse, a willful attempt to perpetuate a deception for purposes that cannot be publicly expressed by politicians at this time.

When Israel eliminates Hamas, who will take over the leadership of Gaza? Remember, the citizens of Gaza voted for the terrorist organization to rule over them. They align with the goals of Hamas, they cheer terrorist victories, they celebrate when Israelis are killed and butchered. The “Palestinians” gave birth to Hamas. They are not separate from them. Who will take over when Hamas is eliminated? More people, with the same ideology, who will be called by a different name. Giving humanitarian aid intended for citizens of Gaza will be confiscated by Hamas. Blinken acknowledges that possibility: “If Hamas steals or diverts this assistance it will have demonstrated once again that it has no regard for the welfare of the “Palestinian” people and as a practical matter it will hinder the international community from being able to provide this aid.”<https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-conflict/card/blinken-delivers-gaza-aid-warning-to-hamas-OBp065RAuEWik8oTHH6I#> OK, and then what? The spiritual war will continue long after the physical war is over and it is far from being over. But, we need to start thinking about what will happen “the day after”. Additionally, if Hamas and the other terrorist groups are removed from Gaza, leaving only “Palestinians”, then the argument will again surface that the “Palestinians” should be granted statehood – reviving the many times dead “Two-State Solution” that is never going to be a solution.

So much has happened here over the last 24 hours – Increased military activity from the Hezbollah and cross-border incidents between Lebanon and Israel. A second front definitely exists, although low-keyed at this point. The Houthis of Yemen (of all places – another Iranian puppet) launched missiles against Israel last night, which were intercepted by U.S. Naval forces. Missiles have been launched from Gaza throughout the day to communities in the south, as well as to areas around the center of the county.

Despite the difficulties and attempts to overcome national shock resulting from the murderous assault two weeks ago, Israelis have undertaken unprecedented measures to stand with the IDF and to encourage them in a host of different ways. The Registrar of Non-Profit organizations here made an announcement that will allow organizations that provide humanitarian aid to take an active part in the present war and to provide assistance where needed. As a result, our organization, A Future and A Hope <afutureandahope.org.il> purchased and delivered equipment to an IDF Brigade in the north, that a consists of the following: premium thermal pants; premium thermal shirts; fleece jackets; wool hats and rechargeable LED lights; sleeping bags; sets of high socks (3 to a set); vests and knee protectors. The person responsible for receiving, organizing and distributing the items wrote to us and said, in part (name of person, unit and location are withheld): “I want to thank you for an important and special donation and most relevant to this day. The soldiers will be happy to receive this help. Greatly appreciated…Take care and with God;s help we will win the war.” (See photos of the boxes being delivered to the unit. – the person in the photo delivered the items; soldiers’ faces covered.)