(Day 729) Swords of Iron – “Permanent Ceasefire?!”

Chaim says that he’s glad that President Trump put pressure on Hamas and they gave a sort of “half yes” to the plan he put forward to end this war, including the return of the hostages. This gives hope that this war is almost over, but Chaim says the Israeli leadership is being very cautious, ordering the IDF to stay on high alert against the possibility that there will be any more terror attacks or other problems.

President Trump has issued a deadline of 6PM Sunday, Washington time, for Hamas to give their final answer. They are likely to wait until the last minute to do so, deliberating and trying to find some wiggle room right up until the last minute. There is also some danger that Hamas might be able to snatch some kind of victory from the jaws of this defeat, but President Trump believes this is the best way to spare the lives of both the hostages and the remaining Hamas fighters and for the war to end.

Disarming Hamas is also part of the plan, and that includes the demolition of the remaining terror tunnels in Gaza. Chaim wonders if it will be possible for this to be done in cooperation with combat engineers from other countries, including possibly Moslem countries like UAE and Egypt. In any case, President Trump is also promising a huge threat of force if Hamas tries to play games right at the end, and if they don’t, this could usher in a new chapter of the Abraham Accords.

In any case, as of now, the IDF’s plan to take full control of Gaza City is on hold, despite the doubts about whether Hamas even still knows where all the hostages are, the living or the dead.

President Trump is also thanking Qatar and Turkey, two VERY problematic countries from Israel’s point of view, for their assistance in getting Hamas to agree to this plan, along with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others. In any case, Chaim acknowledges that this is a big day in Middle East history, and we still have to see how it all plays out.

Chaim goes through the steps of President Trump’s plan, and concludes by saying when the terrorist groups have been disarmed, the hostages released and the leadership goes into exile, it will begin a whole new era of rebuilding the Strip.

In this context, he concludes by quoting Psalms 20:8; May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.