(Day 860) Swords of Iron – “Clean up on aisle Jihad”

What a time to be alive, right? A second U.S. strike group—another aircraft carrier—is preparing to deploy to the Middle East. According to a U.S. official speaking to The Wall Street Journal, it’s being sent in case negotiations with Iran fail. Have they failed? Not entirely—but they’re hanging by a thread.

Prime Minister Netanyahu returned and said there may still be a narrow chance for a deal, though he remains doubtful. So we’re all in limbo, watching and preparing for what could come next.

Meanwhile, the IDF continues operations across multiple fronts. It’s not just Gaza. It’s Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran—and Judea and Samaria. Recently, an IDF sniper precisely neutralized explosive devices planted by terrorists in Tulkarem. The threats are constant, and the response must be vigilant.

And people are talking about the “disarmament”. Is this proposed “Board of Peace” really going to ensure Hamas fully disarms? Who exactly is going to enforce that? Reports—even from The New York Times—suggest Hamas might be allowed to retain some weapons temporarily. That is unthinkable after everything that’s happened. Israel expects full disarmament. President Trump has also said that, ultimately, Hamas must disarm. We’ll see how it plays out. Jared Kushner and other U.S. and international officials are involved, but the core question remains: who guarantees compliance?

At the same time, life here continues under pressure. Reservists are dealing with PTSD—some newly triggered, others from previous wars resurfacing. One therapist alone is reportedly caring for 850 veterans with trauma. That’s a heavy burden. There’s a growing desire to support them—through therapy programs, even initiatives like equine therapy or sending veterans abroad for recovery. If we don’t care for our veterans, we know what can happen. They need real support.

So we stay strong. We keep moving forward. And we draw daily encouragement from Scripture, such as this one:

Deuteronomy 31:6; “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.”