(Day 577) Swords of Iron – “Operation Gideons Chariots”

Chaim starts by talking about 60,000 reservists who have been mobilized, some for the 3rd or 4th tour of duty in this war, to carry out what the IDF is calling “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.” This will be an operation to take and hold territory in the Gaza Strip, clearing it of Hamas activity and making sure the remaining hostages are released. Chaim acknowledges that this is very hard, but he also says that it’s what’s necessary for the restoration of security in Israel.

This operation will be different from previous rounds of fighting in Gaza, because it will include clearing and holding territory, moving the civilian population out of the fighting zones and confronting Hamas in the areas that it no longer controls. At the same time, the distribution of humanitarian aid will be reconfigured to prevent Hamas from stealing aid meant for the civilian population.

While all this is going on, negotiations between the US and Iran over the nuclear program are continuing. President Trump says his aim is to totally dismantle the program, including possible military dimensions of a civilian power production program. Iran is also making empty threats about retaliation for any military strikes on their nuclear program, and the Houthis in Yemen are boasting about the lucky shot they made that resulted in a ballistic missile impacting close to Ben Gurion Airport.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is saying he’ll hit Iran in retaliation for this lucky shot, and Iranian officials are saying they’ll strike back at US bases in the region if Israel hits them, and we’ll have to see who’s bluffing and who means what they say.

In this context, Chaim quotes Psalm 60:12; Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Chaim concludes by attempting to warn the enemies of Israel that they are “messing with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” and they’re “going to find out real quick if you keep going down the road you’re going.”