Update (Day 983) Swords of Iron “Peace In The Middle East”

And there you have it. Just like that, President Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been agreed upon. Pakistan says it is agreed. Iran says it is agreed. The terms reportedly include a complete and total cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Pakistan’s prime minister thanked the United States, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey as mediators of what he called a great peace. But what does this actually mean?

Reports say the deal includes the withdrawal of U.S. personnel from the area, the release of $12 billion to Iran, and the immediate removal of the naval blockade. Iran’s FARS News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, claimed Iran decided not to attack Israel after Trump proposed that Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon.

But Israel cannot withdraw from Lebanon before Hezbollah is disarmed. The same is true in Gaza: until Hamas is disarmed, Israel cannot leave defensive positions that protect our people.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has reportedly told President Trump that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon and does not consider itself bound by an agreement between the United States and Iran. Israel must defend its northern and southern borders. We must have peace and security in our land.

Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will be open, and that Iran may enrich uranium only to a limited level, with inspectors and a 15-to-20-year probation period. But critics warn that if Iran can enrich to 3%, what stops them later from enriching to weapons-grade levels? Hidden facilities, mountains, and limited inspections make this a dangerous gamble.

Israel’s leadership is clear: this agreement does not remove our duty to defend our northern front. Defense Minister Israel Katz has said Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. Security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza are necessary to protect Israeli border communities from jihadist threats.

Katz also warned that if Iran attacks Israel because of events in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with full force. Israel will not compromise its security interests, even if America and Iran sign a deal. 

While missiles, drones, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, Iraqi militias, and other terror groups continue threatening us, Israel must remain alert.

For 78 years, Israel has survived by staying on its tiptoes. We cannot repeat history. We must maintain the buffer zones and defensive positions that keep terrorists from invading our communities again. 

The good news is that nationwide restrictions have now been lifted. Gatherings can resume without missile-related limits. But a new strategic reality has begun. Israel must defend its security interests while influencing the next 60 days of negotiations so Iran is not given a path back to the bomb.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

That is our confidence in this uncertain hour.