(Day 817) Swords of Iron – “New Year Gratitude”

Shalom and happy new year 2026 from Israel, from the rainy Galilee.
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everybody who’s helped and supported me. These new tactical comms and everything I use on my field equipment are so great. There’s also a little infrared device I can use to put out an infrared signal, and switch to different colors if needed. As a commander it’s imperative that my team hears me really well when we’re out on a mission, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you. These are lifelines, you know.

Einabus is a place right next to Huwara in the West Bank, where a ramming attack happened just recently. An Arab resident in the area just started driving into people trying to kill them with a car. And who has to respond quickly and immediately? Reservist soldiers like me.

A rapid response is of utmost importance because not only are people injured or worse, the ongoing threat and danger needs to be neutralized as soon as possible.

An Israeli woman made a wrong turn and got lost in Jericho, and had to be rescued by the IDF. She was wandering there, and quick responding made sure she’d be okay before anything bad could happen.

Five vehicles were set aflame down in the desert in Lehavim. They call this a “price tag” attack from the Bedouins in the Negev. Sometimes, illegalities happen there, and we have to respond quickly.

We know about the threat of missiles from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. We have to be ready. They say they’re ready to use everything they have against us. We’d have to start using the bomb shelters throughout the country if they choose to start shooting missiles at us again.

The head of the IDF staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, says we have to be in an enhanced state of operational readiness, making sure we keep all weapons up-to-date, restore equipment, and make sure everything is prepared. It’s weighing heavy on the soldiers.

In 2024, 21 IDF soldiers committed suicide. In 2025, 16 committed suicide. We have to deal with the ongoing issue of PTSD and battle shock, and I have some great ideas to use horse therapy. I want to talk to you guys a lot about this when I have a little more time from the front lines, and I’ll see how that works in the coming days ahead. There are definitely a lot of hotlines and psychological services available.

This is really a moment for renewed readiness, and I just wanted to take some time to thank you all for how you’ve stood with us. When Iran attacked the last three times, you stood with us, and you’re still standing with us. Together, we are going to win, and we know that the God of Israel is watching out for Israel.

Job 37:9; “Out of the north he comes in golden splendor. Elohim, God comes in awesome majesty”

We are standing together through whatever tempest, whatever tumult will happen. We have the peace and victory of the God of Israel.