Day 316 Swords of Iron – “Pressure for Hostage/Ceasefire Deal?”

Chaim start the video by acknowledging that it’s very hot, but says that won’t stop the IDF from accomplishing its mission to restore order and security to Israel’s borders. He also says that as this war has been ongoing for almost a year now, he can remember fighting in the cold, too.

The reason Israel keeps fighting is to secure the release of the hostages and to destroy the last of the Hamas military power. The negotiations currently ongoing in Doha, Qatar, are aimed at securing the release of the hostages but Hamas is only willing to trade them for an end to the war that leaves them in power in the Gaza Strip. This is unacceptable to Israel, so it’s a non-starter.

So there seems to be a bit of an impasse, and that means the attack by Iran and Hezbollah to avenge their dead terrorist leadership is also on hold, perhaps indefinitely.

But the IDF is continuing counter-terrorism operations in Gaza, especially in Rafah, where Chaim is filming this video from. He says that the IDF has facilitated the transit of large amounts of humanitarian aid through the Rafah Crossing.

Chaim says it’s very difficult to speculate about what might happen next, but he quotes Psalms 68:1-4; Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him.