(Day 522) Swords of Iron – “Compel Them”

Chaim starts by saying that the pressure is on. He then explains that Israel is putting pressure on Hamas to release the last of the hostages who were kidnapped on October 7th, 2023. The US and Israel are also teaming up to put pressure on Iran to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Chaim also mentions the direct talks that representatives of the Trump Administration attempted to have with Hamas leadership. Many in Israel were alarmed at this, but US Secretary of State Marc Rubio reassured everyone that these talks were a one-time event and in any case, they hadn’t produced any results. Trump’s representatives thought it was worth a try to get Hamas to listen to their proposals, but Hamas has flatly refused so there’s no reason for Israel to worry about it.

Following this latest rebuff by Hamas, Israel has tightened the screws, cutting off electricity supplies and ending shipments of humanitarian aid, which Hamas stole for their own purposes anyway. There are some in Israeli society who are saying this is not enough, that the issue of releasing the hostages is not getting the attention it deserves and there is much more the government can and should be doing. Chaim invites his viewers to leave a comment on the video if they think there is something else that the government and/or the IDF could be doing to secure the release of the hostages.

On that note, Chaim mentions thatg Rubio has been in Saudi Arabia having discussions with MBS, the de facto ruler of that country, and the consensus from those talks is that Saudi Arabia is interested in helping to rebuild the Gaza Strip but they want Hamas out first. This is the US position and the Israeli position and there is a growing international consensus that this is the correct position to be taking.

However, there are still some governments who want to keep them there, and this includes Qatar. This government is playing a double game with the West, trying to present itself as an honest broker in negotiations with Hamas but also at the same time taking many steps which show they are very much in Hamas’ corner.

But in any case, Israel wants all the hostages, dead or alive, to come home.

Chaim concludes by mentioning that it is almost time to celebrate Purim, and at this time Iran is looming large as an existential threat to Israel and like Mordechai in the Book of Esther, Chaim says it’s time for supporters of Israel to speak out.

He also talks about all the Jewish communities around the world who are coming home to Israel, and in this context he concludes by quoting Psalms 92:4; For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.