(Day 530) Swords of Iron – “We’re not backing down”

Chaim starts out by declaring that the IDF has gone back into the Gaza Strip in a major ground incursion and they have to re-take positions that they held for a long time, but now there’s mines that have been sewn there and other hazards.

Chaim explains that Israel had offered to extend the cease-fire if Hamas would just release the remaining hostages but Hamas refused and was stonewalling, obviously preparing for more attacks against Israel and so the IDF was ordered to move back in. Chaim says the Netzarim Corridor is one of the first positions to be retaken, and he also talks about the elimination of Hamas spokesmen such as Abu Hamza and other senior terrorist operatives.

He also mentions that this is the largest call-up of reservists in modern Israeli history and so it took awhile to get organized, and there is also a lot of disagreement in Israeli society about whether or not this is the best way forward.

However, Chaim says that as he sees it, the goal of retrieving the hostages, as important as it is, is only one objective. The other objective is to achieve security for Israel and that is what the mission is now.

In this context, he concludes by quoting Deuteronomy 33:29; Happy are you, O Israel!

Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.”