Update (Day 879) Swords of Iron-Roaring Lion – “Ground invasion into Lebanon”

Shalom khaverim, shalom friends. I am Sergeant Major Chaim Malespin. I serve in Israel’s Combat Engineering Corps, in the Yahalom elite unit for special missions. I’ve been deployed for 879 consecutive days—since Hamas attacked us in October 2023. I’ve served in Lebanon and Gaza, dealing with tunnels and ongoing operations to defend Israel in this national emergency, with only brief rests.

Now, in early March, we are at war with Iran—Operation Roaring Lion; America calls it Epic Fury. Drones, short-range missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles are striking across Israel. The northern front has reopened with Hezbollah. Once again, they are firing on us, as are the Houthis. This is no longer confined to the north or south. Missiles are hitting everywhere. We run to shelters every few minutes—even now, an alarm could sound.

In the past 72 hours, 11 civilians have been killed. About 1,000 families have been evacuated. Some 523 buildings are damaged, 68 vehicles destroyed, and 11 people remain missing. Major cities—including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Beit Shemesh—have been hit. The deadliest strike was in Beit Shemesh on March 1, when a ballistic missile hit a synagogue and public shelter, killing nine. More than 370 missiles have been launched in repeated barrages, along with drones aimed at exhausting our air defenses—Iron Dome, Iron Beam, and David’s Sling.

We are at a Level Four national emergency. Schools and most businesses are closed. Hospitals and essential services remain open. Despite everything, the country functions. Rescue teams respond. Ambulances run. Volunteers serve. We keep moving forward, even as we take cover.

I am being redeployed from Gaza to Lebanon and will continue serving as long as God gives me strength. We never expected such a prolonged, multifront war. Pray for decisive victory. Pray that Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the south will be fully dismantled, and that the Radwan force—still believed to hold 25,000 rockets, 50,000 fighters, and thousands of drones—will be pushed back.

This conflict could widen. Strikes have affected multiple countries in the region, and global oil routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, face disruption. Pray for protection for civilians everywhere, for wisdom for leaders making life-and-death decisions, and for healing from trauma.

Isaiah 26 says, “Enter your rooms and shut the door… until His wrath has passed.” Nearly six million people are sheltering. I take strength from 2 Chronicles 20:17: “Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.”

If you can, please support our charity work. Soldiers are exhausted and need encouragement. Families are displaced. Communities need rebuilding and grocery vouchers help feed the needy. Israel stands. Will you stand with us? God bless you.