Shalom all,

The number of IDF deaths since the beginning of the ground offensive jumped to 167. The total number of IDF deaths since October 7th has now reached 501. 

From time to time, I had pointed out that the situation with the Hezbollah terrorist organization based in Lebanon has been heating up. It was developing a slow boil, with increased missile and anti-tank launchings steadily increasing. As a result of the serious missile threat from Hezbollah, residents in northern communities were requested by the Israeli government and the IDF to abandon their homes and take up temporary residence further south, purportedly out of harm’s way. But, as the Gaza War presses on and is far from being over, the cross-border military encounters with the Hezbollah has developed into a second front. There are some who try to deny that we are in active involvement with this terrorist organization, but the reality is otherwise. The Hezbollah is another puppet proxy of Iran. While some politicians in Lebanon do not want to be drawn into the Gaza War or engage in an all-out war with Israel, the decision is not up to them, but up to the Hezbollah and, ultimately, up to Iran.

Barrages of about 30 rockets were launched by the Hezbollah yesterday towards the northern city of Kiryat Shmona and regions in the Western Galilee, as well as towards the coastal city of Rosh Hanikra and other communities. This afternoon, a Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle (a fancy name for a “drone”) crossed into Israel, setting off sirens in Acre (Acco) and several suburbs of Haifa. It was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and shot down. One of my brothers-in-law was with my mother-in-law in one of the bayside suburbs along the northern part of the Gulf of Haifa. When the sirens went off, they went into the security room until the “all clear” was given by the IDF Home Front Command. He said that the sirens were operating at full blast (as they should) and that the explosion following the downing of the drone was deafening. They were only 13 km (8 miles) from us. Yes, the situation is definitely heading to a boil.

Although Israel is preparing for a full-fledged confrontation with Hezbollah, the decision makers in Lebanon are fully aware of the ability of Israel to turn Beirut into a northern Gaza. May it be that cool heads in Lebanon will prevail who will weigh the potential consequences of pursuing a third war with Israel and conclude that the negatives far outweigh any remote, potential benefits.

The War Wounded – the population usually overlooked by the media during war. – In mid-December, the Ministry of Defense stated that since the invasion of the Hamas terrorists on October 7th, over 6,000 members of the IDF, police and other agencies of the nation’s security forces, have been wounded. Approximately 900 are members of the IDF, who were wounded since the beginning of the present ground offensive which began in late October. The figures speak for themselves. Our prayers should also be focused on them and those who treat them, as well as those those come alongside and advocate on their behalf.
As noted by The Times of Israel today: “In a country with compulsory military service for most Jews, the fate of soldiers is a sensitive and emotional topic. The names of fallen soldiers are announced at the top of hourly newscasts. Their funerals are packed with strangers who come to show solidarity. Their families receive generous support from the army. But historically, the plight of the wounded, though lauded as heroes, has taken a backseat to the stories of soldiers killed in battle. After the fanfare surrounding tales of their service and survival recedes, the wounded are left to contend with a new reality that can be disorienting, challenging and, for some, lonely. Their numbers have not had a significant bearing on public sentiment toward Israel’s wars in the way that mounting soldiers’ deaths have. The exceptionally large numbers of wounded in this war, however, will provide a visible reminder of the conflict for years to come.”

And, as pointed out by Edit Sharon Gittelman, Senior Researcher at the Institute for National Security: “There are wounded whose lives have been ruined…They will have to contend with their wounds their entire lives.”

Soldiers fight. Most survive war, some are killed, some are wounded. There are increasing reports of some of the hostages who were killed, or died, while being held in captivity by Hamas. Some families will never again see their loved ones who were killed in action. Some who were wounded in action may never be able to see their families again because of injury to their eyes. The hostages and the families of the hostages have concerns whether they will ever see one another again. Some family members of hostages go to great lengths to reach “people of influence”, who might be able to help to release one or more hostages. The mother of Noa Argamani is one of them.

Noa, 25-years-old, was one of an estimated 250 people abducted by Hamas and other terrorists, as well as Gazan civilians on October 7th. A brief video of her being taken hostage was published worldwide. In the footage that has been shown thousands of times over, we see Noa calling out to her boyfriend, who was also taken hostage at the same time.

Liora Argamani, Noa’s mother, in a video appeal to President Joe Biden and in a follow-up letter to him on Christmas Day, urged him to help her to see her daughter again. She indicated that she was suffering from brain cancer and her desperate plea was to be able to hug her daughter once more before departing this world. Liora’s situation and request came to the attention of CNN anchor, John Oz, who reported on the matter. He was emotionally moved and his voice broke, as he shared a small portion of her video. As mentioned, Liora renewed her plea in a letter to President Biden, stating: “I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. All that’s running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time…It’s Christmas now, and I would like to request from you, Mr. President, as a present, to see my daughter again before I leave this world…My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family…She deserves to be back where she belongs, pursuing her dreams, surrounded by love and care. She deserves to see her mother alive one last time.” In the earlier video, she said: “I am Liora Argamani, Noa’s mother, the beautiful girl kidnapped on October 7 by Hamas to Gaza…I have cancer. Brain cancer. I don’t know how long I have left. I wish for the chance to see my Noa, at home. I call upon President Biden and the Red Cross to bring back my Noa as soon as possible so that I get the chance to see her.” And then, addressing her daughter, she stated: “Noa, I want to tell you. If I don’t get to see you, please know that I love you very much. Please know we did everything we could to get you released. The whole world loves you.”

May it be that Liora’s request for the return of her daughter, Noa, will be granted. Not only for Noa’s release, but for the release of all of the hostages, without compromising on the goal of eliminating the evil of the terrorists (Hamas, “Palestinian” Islamic Jihad and others) from our midst.

A radical Muslim went from Jews hatred to preaching love for Israel. – Kasim Hafeez grew up hating Jews. He read a book by Alan Dershowitz, titled The Case for Israel. His original intention was to negate the claims made in the book. But, he couldn’t. He is now a converted Christians, working with Christians United for Israel – the title of the organization reveals its goal. As Jeremiah points out: Nothing is too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17).

Let’s keep that in mind when we pray for wisdom for the government of Israel, wisdom, strength, boldness and skill for the IDF, grace for the wounded and for the medical teams providing care for them, protection and freedom for the hostages, comfort for the families who have lost loved ones, for those whose dreams have been shattered and for those who yearn to be reunited with their families. “Comfort, comfort My people.” (Isaiah 40:1)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin