Shalom all,

Two days ago, I mentioned the Bibas family, who were being held hostage by the Hamas terrorist organization, and the demonstrations that took place on their behalf, requesting their release. Yesterday, the “military wing” of Hamas reported that three members of Bibas family – the mother, Shiri, 32, Ariel, 4, and 10-month-old Kfir, were killed in Gaza. Since that announcement, the IDF has been trying to confirm or negate the claim of Hamas. The statement did not refer to the father, Yarden Bibas, 34. The family was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz following the massacre on October 7th.

A representative of the Al-Qassam Bridgades said that their deaths were due to  “a previous Israeli shelling on the Gaza Strip”, although no evidence was presented to support that claim.

The IDF said that it was “assessing the accuracy of the information”, that IDF representatives met with the relatives of the family “and are with them at this difficult time.”

According to the IDF, the Bibas family was transferred by Hamas to another terrorist organization and are being held in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

Kfir’s aunt, Ofri Bibas-Levy, pleaded for their release on Tuesday: 

“At the moment they are the youngest hostages still remaining in Hamas captivity…We don’t know where they’ve been held. From what we know, they are kept underground…We’re really worried about the 10-month-old baby with formula [normally] as his main nourishment…We call upon the Israeli government and Qatar and Egypt, everybody who is involved in these negotiations and this deal, to do whatever they can to include our family in this deal and to release them as soon as possible.”

The IDF Spokesman reported today that Hamas published “cruel and difficult documentation of Jordan Bibas..This is an act of psychological terrorism that Hamas uses to exert pressure and damage our resilience. Hamas’s claims about the Bibas family are still unverified.” 

It should be pointed out that these members of the Bibas family were all alive when they were taken. The family has captured the attention of the world media and some have devoted “special” broadcasts regarding them.

This is a time for prayer. If, God forbid, that the statement from Hamas turns out to be true, it would have a severe emotional impact, not only upon the relatives of the Bibas family, but upon the nation as a whole. 

There are numerous side-effects to a war, particularly a lengthy war. Judy Lash Balint, writing for Jewish News Syndicate , mentioned some of the “unsung heroes in this war”; a national performer and a song, “Lo Tenatzchu Oti”—You Will Not Defeat Me”,that has become the theme song of “Operation Swords of Iron”; a technical writer, whose Tel Aviv company gives employees time off every week to volunteer to the war effort. But, she also pointed out, most importantly, in part:

“Parents of combat soldiers are particularly stressed, so it’s hardly surprising that some hospitals are reporting a significant increase in women in their 50s arriving at the ER with heart attack symptoms. Prof. Ariel Rogin, director of the Cardiac Unit of the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, notes: “This is the first time that most of the patients hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit are women.

“With so much emotional stress brought on by everything from the mixed feelings regarding the release of hostages whose relatives are still held by Hamas, to anxiety over loved ones serving on the front, to the ongoing reality of a “them” or “us” war, it should come as no surprise that many are turning to medications to deal with it. The Maccabi HMO, with 2.6 million members, reports an increase of 20% in the number of prescriptions for antidepressants and tranquilizers it wrote in October compared to previous months.“

With two sons serving in the IDF at this time in different locations (cannot indicate where or in what capacity), we certainly relate to the stress and anxiety that is an everyday facet of this war.

Numbers of IDF Wounded: Today is Israel’s National Day of Appreciation for Israel’s Wounded Soldiers and Victims of Terror. For the first time since the terrorist invasion of Israel and the massacre of October, 7th, the IDF reported that as of now, 2,005 soldiers have been wounded. of which 287 are still hospitalized. This includes those who were wounded while defending the communities in the south and those who were involved in the ground operation in Gaza. 

The fighting in Gaza was put “on hold” during the last few days, as part of the deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other terrorists. Even though there occasional claims of violation of the ceasefire, the parties managed to overcome the disputes to continue the halt in the fight and the release of hostages and “Palestinian” prisoners being held by Israel, even today, as two Israeli women (ages 40 and 21) were released earlier this evening. More hostages are scheduled to be released before the end of the day.

Nevertheless, today additional rockets were launched from Gaza into communities surrounding the Gaza envelope. Moreover, four Israelis were killed and another five people were wounded this morning in a terrorist shooting incident at the entrance to Jerusalem. This is in addition to the murder of a young, pregnant mother walking in the street with two small children. She was attacked and stabbed 16 times and then fled the scene in a car. The above incidents may be enough to bring about a end to the deal for a lull in the war and the release of hostages and result in a resumption of the fighting. But, whether they collectively represent the straw that broke the camel’s back, or not, in any event, both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, said that when the hostage release deal is over, the fighting will resume. As Netanyahu said to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he is committed to continuing the war until Hamas is eliminated.

But, there are other voices calling for the elimination of Hamas. One of them is Mosab Haasan Yousef, the son of Hamas Co-founder, Sheikh Hassan Yousef, who spoke at the U.N. on the 20th of November. He condemns Hamas, as he shares part of his personal testimony: “The corrupt leaders, they don’t care about children, they don’t care about “Palestinians”…I will not die before I see Hamas dead.” They don’t care about anybody but themselves.” It is worth watching and listening to.

A thought to keep in mind: Leaders in the “Palestinian” Authority, both presently serving, like Mahmoud Abbas, and who would like to serve, like Muhammed Dahlan, are both, essentially saying that “if we can’t beat them, we should join them” in a “single-state solution”, that will give the “Palestinians” equal and full political rights. This would be a disaster for many reasons, to be discussed at a future time.

“Behold, the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers, nor sleeps.” (Psalm 121:4) Keep in prayer.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin