This Week Today Current Events from Israel Rabbi Ben Packer
https://mailchi.mp/dd9d88d97a17/israel-current-events
EXCERPTS
Gaza/Hostage Situation Update
While we were burning our chometz last week, the IDF was busy scorching parts of Gaza, both above and below ground. Most of the ground activity is happening in the southern strip in the area now referred to as the Morag Corridor and also in the northern strip. Both sides seem to be avoiding confrontation for the most part. In instances where terrorists did appear, Israeli Air Force planes eliminated them before they could pose a significant threat to the nearby IDF soldiers. Meanwhile, the planes also spent their time eliminating terrorist leaders in the central areas of Gaza that the ground troops are currently avoiding.
Negotiations are continuing toward renewing a ceasefire that would see about 10 Israeli hostages freed in exchange for the release of hundreds of terrorists and the resumption of aid. As of now, Hamas is still insisting on guarantees that the war will be ended before any more hostages are freed. The Israeli Government continues to insist that increased military pressure is what has led to previous hostage deals and is the only thing that will lead to future ones as well. Former hostages and family members of current hostages continue to compete to see who can say the most retarded, non-sensible thing about how the remaining hostages should be freed. It’s getting quite annoying. For some reason folks seem to think that these people are beyond criticism, but their incredible lack of sensitivity to the families of the hundreds of soldiers killed and to those wounded and still fighting certainly qualify them for a nice helping of vitriol. Everyone wants the hostages freed, but performing national suicide shouldn’t really be on the negotiating table.
A new trend started this week where folks who think they are important are signing petitions that say that the war should be ended in order for all the hostages to be freed – basically what Hamas has demanded from the very beginning of the current conflict. They threaten that they will no longer appear for reserve duty and/or work. So far, the Chief of Staff has removed some of them from reserve duty altogether. This is definitely the correct way going forward. US President Ronald Reagan and the air traffic controllers all over again. Some British people also joined in as well. Lol. That imperial ship sank a long time ago. There is nothing like British self-righteous arrogance. So much better done than their food.
Yemen
The US continued to pound Yemen this week with hundreds of airstrikes. There are now reports of a force of approximately 80,000 Sunni Yemenites that is ready to take on the Houthis. This does not bode well for Iran. Nothing does these days. They appear to have very much overplayed their hand. Maybe this is why they don’t own casinos in Las Vegas…
Lebanon
Israel continued to assassinate Hezbollah terrorists, including Radwan force members. Not only has there been no real response from Hezbollah, it was reported this week that approximately 400 Hezbollah terrorists and their families have relocated to South America in an attempt to escape Israel’s reach. Lebanese forces have begun to remove Hezbollah propaganda and to enter bases formerly manned by Hezbollah. Is this going somewhere positive? Maybe. Probably depends on what happens with Iran vs. Israel/US.
Syria
Turkish forces and armaments continued to enter Syria this week. Obviously Israel is not thrilled about this. However, this makes sense since Turkey heavily supported the rebel cause in Syria for years. Now that the psycho rebels are actually in charge, Turkey seems to feel that they deserve a payout – in land! Last week, President Trump had arranged for discussions about the situation to take place between Israel and Turkey. Not hearing much about that now. There were also reports of an attempted coup in Syria this week. Not surprising at all. The actual situation in Syria is, like Mariah Carey, quite far from stable.
Judea and Samaria
Israeli forces continued this week to hunt down terrorists and terror leaders throughout the area. Two prominent terrorists, who were connected to previous murderous attacks, were eliminated in a cave in the Jenin area. Despite all the talk of the potential threat from the area, things are pretty stable.
Jerusalem
Soon we will be back to eating bread with the conclusion of Passover, the next Ramadan is almost a year away and Itamar Ben Gvir is back at the helm of the Ministry in charge of the Israeli Police. Could be a summer of many evictions of illegal squatters in Jerusalem, Israel and the further re-Judaization of Jerusalem. Like we said at the end of the Haggadah: “Next Year in a Rebuilt Jerusalem”!!!
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