Shalom all,

“And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air…”

Those words from The Star-Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key (September 20, 1814) could aptly describe the appearances in the northern skies of Israel on the 4th of July. But, these were not typical fireworks to join in celebrating America’s Independence Day. Nor was it a memorial celebration of the bold, IDF mission that freed 106 passengers, mostly Israelis, who were taken hostage when Arab and German terrorists hijacked a French plane and landed in Entebbe, Uganda. No, these were over 200 rockets and more than 20 armed drones that made their way into Israeli territory on July 4th from our genuinely unfriendly, Hezbollah-terrorist controlled, neighbor. 

While both Lebanon and Israel had expressed that they do not want an all-out war, the massive missile barrages succeeded to generate widespread damage in the north and resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier. Additional rocket barrages and anti-tank missiles were launched against Israel on July 7th, which is nine full months since the Hamas invasion on October 7th, 2023, and again on July 9th. The Hezbollah claimed that its recent missile attacks were in retaliation for Israel killing senior Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon and added that it would expand its targets that Israel “did not imagine would be hit”.

With nine months completed since the devastating Hamas terrorist attack, concerns were, and continue to be, expressed across Israel of continued sexual assaults and possibly forced marriages of the younger female hostages taken on October 7th, and births that could have taken place by now. Israel is still in the dark regarding who is alive, where they are and what they conditions are, physically, medically and psychologically.

The General Secretary of the Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said that the Hezbollah missile and drone attacks are wearing Israel out. He added that Hamas is conducting negotiations on everyone’s behalf (including Hezbollah) and that the terrorist organization would agree to whatever decision would be reached. He concluded that “we” (Hamas and Hezbollah) accomplished their goals and that Israel would be forced to stop the war. 

Even as this is being written, the Hezbollah is continuing its missile attacks in the Golan Heights.

Yesterday, July 9th, a husband wife were killed in a Hezbollah attack, while they were driving their vehicle on a road not far from one of the military bases in the Golan Heights. They were on their way home to Kibbutz Ortal. They left behind three children .  It should be remembered that tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes as a result of the continued missile attacks from the Hezbollah, causing the city of Kiryat Shmoneh to become more like a ghost town, along with other neighboring communities. Following the murder of this couple, Lior Simcha, the General Secretary of the Kibbutz Movement, lambasted the government for its failure to deal with the security situation in the north. He added: “Israel has never seemed so weak and at a loss in the face of its enemies. Two Israelis were murdered on the road in the Golan Heights by Hezbollah fire and we are powerless, leaderless, lacking a plan and public legitimacy … It is time to show leadership and initiative, Whether military or political, put an end to this unbearable situation, it cannot continue like this.”

The Dry Bones Blog – 9th July, 2024

There is cautious optimism on the part of officialdom that this time, the negotiations might be successful. But, the parties are still far apart on some major issues. Even if the renewed hostage negotiations result in a ceasefire, the belligerence from Hezbollah will expand until it comes to an explosive head. We are at the brink of that point now, which will steadily continue and eventually embroil the entire region in war, unless there will be Divine intervention that will prevent it.

Hezbollah published a second drone footage of military sites in northern Israel, particularly in and around the cities of Nahariya, Safed (Tsfat) and Haifa, as well as Mount Dov, which is near the Lebanese border . The drone video, which was approximately 10 minutes in length, showed various military locations, giving longitude and latitude, allowing for pinpointing computer-guided missile attacks.

The threat of all-out war with the Hezbollah is as real as it ever was and it is being taken seriously by the national government, the IDF and local governments as well. One media site states it simply and clearly, as least as the city of Haifa is concerned: 

“Channel 12 reported that Rambam Hospital in Haifa, the largest city in Northern Israel, is preparing for an extreme scenario involving missile attacks every four minutes for 50-60 days. The hospital is establishing a fortified underground facility capable of treating 2,000 patients, including 24 operating rooms. According to the hospital director, the entire medical centre can relocate underground within eight hours. Additionally, a dedicated train will facilitate the transfer of wounded individuals to central Israel hospitals in the event of mass casualties.

“Haifa is also preparing 16 underground parking lots to serve as bomb shelters during a large conflict. The local subway system will be utilized as a massive shelter, and city schools will be converted into temporary housing if residential buildings are struck by missiles.”

While hospital preparedness is necessary, one of the major problems that would result from extended missile attacks is being able to reach the wounded and/or the hospital. Transportation arteries would undoubtedly be affected, making it difficult and, in some cases, impossible to drive to or from the hospital. Ability to “fuel up” would also be affected, as most gasoline companies would most likely not be able deliver.

Israel is not afraid of Hezbollah, but for some reason it is delaying the massive response that is necessary in order to “take the fight” to the area north of the Lebanese border with Israel. A widespread strike against all airports in Lebanon should be the first order of business. Israel needs to also severely damage the infrastructure, take out electric grids and communication centers and turn the highways and byways of Lebanon into rubble, making it impossible for ordinary traffic to travel anywhere. Notwithstanding the existence of a civilian government in Lebanon, the reality is that the Hezbollah controls the country. Its desire is to launch a quarter of a million missiles at Israel and Israel needs to dismantle the terrorists’ ability to act. Only then will Hezbollah be willing to capitulate. Will “innocents” suffer? Yes. But, if you were expecting hundreds of thousands of missiles to be fired in your direction by an enemy who seeks your death – with multitudes being killed and wounded, wouldn’t you want to do what you could to prevent it?

That’s really enough for now. I genuinely solicit your prayers for: wisdom for the government of Israel; a spirit of unity among the politicians; and wisdom, courage, boldness and precision for the IDF. May it be that no weapon that is formed against us would prosper.

One last note: I realize that some of what I write does not find favor with some of the recipients of this blog. Nevertheless, I do not remove them from the mailing list or block them from commenting. Apparently, one recipient is not at all thrilled with these posts and decided to send me some hate mail, which was postmarked from Phoenix, Arizona. No name, no return address. Whoever it is, may he come to his senses. Israel is not going anywhere. Truly, Israel will always be from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea, and then some. 

May God enable us to bless, even while being cursed. May we be blessed in the process of blessing and help us to be a blessing.

May the rest of your week be healthy, from all perspectives.

Marvin