(Day 502) Swords of Iron – “Heartbroken”

Chaim starts out by saying that we don’t really know how to process the events of this day, which include an announcement by Hamas that Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the children who were kidnapped on October 7th along with their mother Shira, are dead. We had long held out hope that they would be returned alive, but now we know they won’t be, although we’ll need to have forensic examinations of the remains to know for sure.

The scene cuts to a report by Sky News Australia in which the broadcast journalist describes the kidnapping of these people and blames their death on Hamas.

Chaim also points out that all the people who are accusing Israel of being an “apartheid state” should look at the way Israel is expending vast efforts and resources to return a Beduin Moslem hostage, just like it is expending resources to return Jewish hostages.

Chaim also mentions the apparent preparations Egypt is making for a conflict with Israel. Even if this is just geostrategic signalling, Israel has no choice but to take it seriously. There are also threats on all the other borders, and even in the Mediterranean Sea.

Chaim says that there is now an announcement by Israeli officials that Phase B of the ceasefire arrangement is now being negotiated. Chaim lays out some of the demands Israel is likely to make and Hamas is likely to reject, but these are the minimum circumstances Israel can accept. UNRWA can’t be allowed to take part in governing Gaza, because they have completely discredited themselves, as has the wider UN organization.

Chaim also mentions that Ramadan is starting soon and he’s praying for a quiet time without escalations and violence, particularly in Jerusalem near the Temple Mount.

Chaim concludes by quoting Isaiah 46:13; I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;

My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory.