Chaim starts out by mentioning a large demonstration recently held in the town of Sderote calling for the Israeli government to rebuild the Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip. This march drew support from a surprising cross-section of Israeli society, including government ministers and prominent rabbis. Nevertheless, this march was largely ignored by the media.
Chaim, however, says the idea is worth considering. He recalls what life in Israel was like before the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, when the security threat to Israel from this territory was substantially less than it is today.
He mentions the wave of terrorism, including the intifadas in which some members of his own family were almost killed, and he expresses outrage that there are clueless people calling for an “intifada” in the West.
But Chaim says that the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip was not only a bad thing for Israel, it was also a bad thing for the civilian population of Gaza. They imposed a harsh, radical Islamic regime and imposed it using mafia tactics. They also dug tunnels to use in terrorist attacks against Israel and made many attempts to attack Israel, including their successful assault on October 7th, 2023.
So with all this in mind, Chaim invites his viewers into a thought experiment where we imagine that Gaza WAS re-settled by Israelis.
He says for starters, Hamas and its supporters would see that there’s a consequence to launching massacres against Israelis. Also, being inside the Strip physically would give Israel and the IDF ways to keep a closer watch on what’s going on there, to prevent bad situations from getting out of control.
Chaim says that in the Middle East, if a country or a group of a tribe wants to deter attacks against it, it’s not enough to win just a little bit. He talks about some of the operations the IDF ran in the Gaza Strip in the past, that he participated in, including Cast Lead, Guardians on the Walls, and others. These operations damaged Hamas but they didn’t utterly crush, defeat and destroy it. That is what was and remains necessary in order for there to be a lasting peace.
Chaim mentions that the Western mentality is not useful in the Middle East, because in the West there is room for “bluster” and “banter” but in the Middle East when someone says they want to wipe you out, they’re not speaking metaphirically. They really do want to wipe you out, so you have to take that seriously.
Chaim says that for many years, Israel tried to be compliant with what the predominantly Western “International community” wanted it to do in regards to the Palestinians, but nothing worked. So it’s time to use the Middle Eastern mentality on the Palestinians and deal with them the way the Middle East deals with problems.
Chaim quotes Psalms 16:1; “Protect me, O God, for in you I take shelter.”
He mentions that many Israelis are having to spend time in bomb shelters lately, and this can be a reminder of this verse.
He then continues with Psalms 16:2-11; I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You. As for the saints who are on the earth, they are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them. The pains of those who have acquired another god will be multiplied; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me. I will bless the Lord who has advised me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Chaim says these verses give him comfort on the battlefield, as he and his comrades move deeper into Rafah and he mentions with gratitude that the Biden Administration in the US is continuing to send military equipment, ammunition and other articles the IDF needs to defend the people of Israel.
He concludes by counting the Omer for day 22.