for (Day 482) Swords of Iron – “Confirmed seven hostages have been released!!”

Chaim starts out by saying “it’s happening” referring to the release of Israeli hostages. He points out that the Hamas terrorists put a sign up behind Agam Berger which said they’re “the oppressed” and that they’re standing up against “Nazi Zionists” etc.

Chaim says it reminds him of Isaiah 5:20; Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Chaim also declares that the IDF (including him personally) and the Israeli government are committed to bringing these hostages back, and in this context, he quotes Amos 9:14; I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.

Chaim then asks some rhetorical questions about what might be coming next. Is there going to be a direct confrontation with Iran? Is there going to be a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia? Chaim says he worries about the conditions the Saudis might put on such an agreement, especially the likelihood that they’ll demand the formation of a Palestinian State.

This raises the question of who would govern such a state. But Chaim says there’s no question that the IDF will continue to be deployed on the Golan Heights, all of it, as well as along the Lebanese border and anywhere else they need to be in order to ensure the security of Israel.

Chaim says that there are rising threats further afield as well, including in places you’d never have expected it like Sydney Australia, where anti-Semitic incidents are increasing at a terrifying pace. However, Chaim says, he’s confident that good will triumph over evil.

In this context, he quotes Joshua 1:9; Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”