Shalom all,

The number of IDF members killed in action since the beginning of the ground offensive is up to 105.

From the start of the ground offensive, 20 members of the IDF, one-fifth of the 105 who were killed in action, were killed not from hostile action of our enemies.

13 were killed because they were mistakenly believed to be Hamas terrorists.

1 was because of a stray bullet

2 were killed APC or tank accidents

2 were killed by machine-gun discharge

2 were killed from shrapnel (e.g., from explosions set off by the IDF),

While the number of casualties is related to a variety of reasons, the bottom line is that operational accidents and bilateral shooting incidents are events that should have been avoided in the vast majority. It is one thing to lose a soldier in active combat, it is something else entirely for a soldier to lose his life, while in a combat situation, but not as a result of being killed by the enemy. The pain of loss over each soldier killed in action against the enemy is great; the pain of loss of a soldier’s life from accidents or “friendly fire” is that much greater.

U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed what he referred to as his “unshakeable” commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and the security of Israe, during a Hanukkah celebration at the White House. He added, “I ran into trouble and criticism when I said a few years ago that you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist, and I am a Zionist.” While condemning the silence over growing antisemitism, Biden described Hanukkah as a “timeless story of miracles”, but acknowledged that this year was different, because of the Gaza war. But, he added that the bombing in Gaza is causing Israel to start to lose the support of the international community for the war. The conduct of the war and the “timetable” will undoubtedly be major subjects of discussion when U.S. National Security a/dviser, Jake Sullivan, visits Israel this week and meets with government officials.

In line with those considerations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed thanks for the support and full backing of the U.S. regarding Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza, despite the growing international calls for a ceasefire in the war. He acknowledged that there was “disagreement” with President Biden about “the day after Hamas”, but was hopeful that both government will be able to reach agreement on this matter, as well. The “disagreement” relates to who will govern the Gaza Strip after the war is over. Biden’s proposition is that Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the “Palestinian” Authority “take control” over both Gaza and the West Bank (i.e., Judea and Samaria). Netanyahu is vehemently opposed to this idea, asserting that  Gaza “will be neither Hamas-stan nor ‘Fatah-stan.'” Fatah is, essentially the group of “Palestinians” under the leadership of Abbas. But, behind all of the talk about the “day after”, the big issue is the establishment of a “Palestinian” state, with the goal of a “two-state solution” to the ongoing conflict with those referring to themselves as “Palestinians”. In short, Biden wants it and Netanyahu is opposed to it.

Is Syria beginning to join in? Three rockets were launched towards Israel from Syria today, one of which landed in an open area here, while the other two fell inside Syrian territory. The IDF targeted its response to the areas where the missiles were launched.

Increased tensions with Hezbollah. While the Gaza war will continue to fill headlines for an extended period of time, Israel’s concerns are focused on the situation with the Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon. Yesterday’s post dealt with a Hamas “subsidiary” group that was being established in Lebanon, obviously with the goal of carrying out a northern version of the massacre of Black Saturday of October 7th. While Lebanese politicians express opposition to be manipulated by Iran into engaging another war with Israel, the reality is that the civilian government there will not make that decision – it will be made by Hamas. 

Israel needs to be cautious in dealing with Hezbollah. A diplomatic deal cannot be worked out with that terrorist organization. Its word is meaningless and it has already substantially violated prior commitments and, particularly, the UN resolution 1701 following the Second Lebanon War of 2006, that set a buffer zone in Lebanon of 30 kilometers from the border with Israel.

Over 1,000 rockets have been launched towards Israel from Lebanon since the beginning of the present Gaza war. This is truly a drop in the bucket, considering the extensive missile arsenal maintained by Hezbollah. If a full-blown war were to take place with Hezbollah, it could unleash literally thousands of target-directed rockets per day.

Netanyahu has “encouraged” Hezbollah not to pursue aggressive military action against Israel, and threatened to turn Lebanon into another Gaza if it did so. Undoubtedly, this terrorist proxy of Iran is considering the possibilities of the “Third Lebanon War” with Israel and counting the cost of pursuing it. The IDF on the other hand will be facing a difficult situation following an initial onslaught of rockets aimed at military facilities and civilian infrastructure.

While an out-and-out war with Hezbollah will have severe consequences in both countries, the one that will be pressing the buttons or pulling the strings is Iran. How can Israel deter Hezbollah from further escalating the present cross-border actions? That is the question that senior military and political leaders in Israel are trying to answer.

Turkish MP speaks against Israel – suffers a heart attack: Hasan Bismet, a Member of the Turkish Parliament, in a riled speech against Israel, claimed that Israel was incurring the “wrath of Allah”. Moments after concluding his diatribe against Israel, he suffered a heart attack.

Unashamed to stand for and with Israel: Aaron Nadbornik, the President of the Jewish Community of Finland, attended a reception at the Presidential Palace with his wife, Galit. The occasion was Finland’s Independence Day. Yaron wore a necklace with the inscription “Bring Them Home Now”, referring to the hostages being held by Hamas. His wife, Gali, wore a dress, specially designed, that displayed the names of the hostages. “Kol Hakavod!” Way to go!

Members of the IDF are celebrating Hanukkah in the cold of Gaza this year.

The last time they did that was in 1956. Attached is a photo of the IDF on top of the roof of the Police Station in Gaza, after it was captured by Israel in 1956.

Please remember to keep praying. God longs to be gracious to us. (Isaiah 30:18)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.
Marvin