(Day 556) Swords of Iron – “Will Diplomacy Fail?”

Chaim starts by talking about the Egyptian proposal for a new cease-fire deal which would include releasing hundreds of convicted murderers and also IDF withdrawals from areas that they would then probably have to just go back in and re-take. Chaim says this war has already gone on far too long and he wonders how much more time it take to finish the job, and if the political echelon and the diplomats will allow the soldiers to do it properly.

Chaim then mentions that in Iran, the advisors to the Supreme Leader are telling him that the regime would not survive a direct confrontation with the US and Israel and there needs to be a serious effort at negotiations in order to prevent that from happening.

Meanwhile, there has been a confirmed meeting between Achmed al-Sharra, the leader of Syria, and Israeli officials in Abu Dhabi. The results of that meeting are unclear at this point, but it might have included talks about normalization, investment and trade between Syria and Israel.

Back in Gaza, the IDF has Hamas positions in Rafah surrounded and there’s no escape for the terrorists. Chaim also mentions other tactical successes the IDF has had in Gaza and Hamas only has one response: to release videos of hostages saying things that will damage Israel’s morale and cause problems for the government.

In this context, Chaim quotes Isaiah 11:14; But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; together they shall plunder the people of the East; They shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; and the people of Ammon shall obey them.