(Day 532) Swords of Iron – “Egypt will Take in 500K Gazans”

Chaim starts by mentioning that it is beginning to feel like Springtime in Israel, and it makes him remember that in days gone by he was able to take his family on picnics in the beautiful spring weather because it was fairly quiet but now there’s no peace and in order to restore peace and quiet, it’s necassary to fight for it.

He says many of the soldiers are tired after a year and a half of war, but they’re also determined and ready to finish the job. He mentions some of the areas in Gaza that have already been re-taken from Hamas control and the fact that air strikes have taken out several of the senior Hamas leaders. He aknowelsdges that there have also been civilian casualties and he’s sad to hear that, but he blames it on Hamas and in this context he advises anyone listening to the sound of his voice to “never start a war because a war is never good.”

This war, however, is being fought to ensure the release of Israeli hostages. The video cuts to the testimony of Eli Sherabi, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th, 2023, and released recently. He tells of how he was tortured, forced to drink salt water and given very small portions of food just to keep him barely alive.

Chaim says that this means the battle must be fought to a conclusive victory. He acknowledges that there are people in the streets protesting against the continuation of this war but he says that these crowds, which the police have had to disperse, are made up of people who do not understand what’s necessary. He says that they want to try and negotiate but that will not bring the results Israel needs.

Chaim also mentions an Egyptian offer to take in as many as 500,000 Gazans to a designated city in the Sinai Penninsula. Jordan has reacted with alarm to this development, insisting that they will only take in injured Gazans and their families for a short amount of time before stuffing them back into Gaza. This means that plans are now being prepared for temporary housing of 1.5 million Gazan civilians inside the Strip, but it is unclear how this will be secured and paid for.

At the same time, a large number of IDF reservists are saying they’re tired, burnt out and unable to go back to war. This is an alarming development to be sure and Chaim asks his viewers to be in prayer for Israel that this can be overcome.

There is, however, a ray of hope on the horizon as new Jewish immigrants continue to arrive from France and other countries.

Chaim concludes by quoting Joshua 10:24-25;  So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”