This is from the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday night, when describing the Israeli response to an horrendous attack by Hamas that began at 6 A.M. on Saturday morning.
We will act, he said, “without hesitation and without respite.” This is a war, he made clear, not an operation.
“This is an enemy that murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds. An enemy that kidnaps the elderly, kids, youths. Murderers who massacre and slaughter our citizens, our kids, who just wanted to have fun on the holiday. What happened today has never before seen in Israel, and I will make sure it does not happen again.”
The goal is to “achieve the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.” Twitter @IsraeliPM
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett said it most clearly in a Fox interview: “We must destroy Hamas…No more games.”
His brief interview is worth hearing:
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-naftali-bennett-tells-fox-news-israel-must-destroy-hamas/
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It is unlikely that anyone reading this is not already aware that Hamas has waged an unprecedented surprise terror attack on Israel. It is difficult to provide details, because the information that is coming out continues to shift. That is particularly the case with numbers – numbers of those killed and those kidnapped.
I will provide an outline and some specifics here, and post regularly in days ahead.
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The comparison is being made between the Yom Kippur war, launched just 50 years ago, and the current attack. But I believe a more accurate comparison is with America’s 9/11 tragedy.
This is what our ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, says, as well.
The numbers are staggering.
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The attack began on Saturday morning with a barrage of rockets from Gaza that over the course of the day totaled 3,000. This apparently provided some cover for the influx of Hamas terrorists who entered Israel via land, sea and air. They broke through the Gaza fence and utilized motorized air-gliders.
Estimated as numbering about 1,000, they then spread out over the area near Gaza.
They disabled Israeli communication centers, entered homes and murdered families, did a rampage on a beach party, killing many (see below), and took hostages.
Former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman said the Jewish people are seeing some of the most barbaric acts since the Holocaust.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol8bSmlBO0w
As terrorists went from house-to-house murdering, sometimes they shot their victims, but in other instances “they slaughtered in the traditional jihadist manner, using knives to slash their throats and in some cases, beheaded them.”
Today, when the IDF searched the grounds where the Nova desert music festival had been held near Kibbutz Re’em, not far from the border with Gaza, they found the bodies of some 240 young people. It was a festival that had been dedicated to peace with Israel’s neighbors.
The latest information indicates that some 700 are dead, well over 1,000 wounded, and “dozens” taken hostage into Gaza. (Hamas says they have 100 hostages.) Understand that among the hostages are older people and children.
Here is a picture of Yafa Ader, 85, taken and put out by Hamas and then picked up by her granddaughter. Yafa is among the hostages.
There are rumors of Egyptian efforts to secure the release of these most vulnerable hostages.
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Israel immediately began a barrage of rockets on Hamas sites in Gaza.
But the first stage of the action was primarily defensive, as terrorists roaming Israel were sought out and families still held in captivity in their homes were rescued.
Reports are that some 400 terrorists have been killed, although originally indications were that more than 400 entered Israel; the civilian population is still advised to take precautions. Families are still searching for relatives who are missing.
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Now there has been a shift to the offensive action.
The Security Cabinet has authorized war status, as required by Basic Law: The Government. Among the decisions of the Cabinet is halting the supply of electricity, fuel and goods to the Gaza Strip.
Here you see a meeting of Netanyahu with Defense Minister Gallant, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi in consultation.
Reservists – including some who may have been out of the country – are being mobilized and sent to the border with Gaza in preparation for what comes next.
See videos of the reservists here:
And a heartwarming video clip of a father who was called up and participated in his son’s brit milah by Zoom:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378104
There is no kvetching, only goodwill in the face of very, very difficult circumstances.
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Communities adjacent to the Gaza border are being evacuated. (But in Sderot, where there is still shooting, everyone has been told to stay indoors.)
A major ground incursion into Gaza will be necessary. It will be painful, and prolonged. And we have no choice.
Civilians in Gaza have been warned in Arabic to flee because battle is coming.
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The nation is unified in supporting this attack. There is even talk of the possibility of an emergency unity government. (Yair Lapid is problematic in this regard, and I may come back to this.)
But the people? The people are sure of what must be done. Everywhere there are volunteers seeking to lend assistance – to bring food to families, to open homes to those who will evacuate from the south, to give blood, etc.
I have decided that in each of my postings I will provide information on where you might donate to help this effort. Please be sure to see today’s recommendation at the bottom of this posting, and to look for recommendations in future postings.
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President Biden has come out solidly supporting Israel.
He said (emphasis added):
“Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering…
“My team and I are tracking this situation closely, and I will remain in close touch with Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
This is much appreciated.
The United States has begun moving USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean, USCENTCOM said this evening (Sunday) in a show of support for Israel.
Additionally, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that America will also “rapidly provide” materiel support, including munitions, to Israel.
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We Israelis are cynical. We are accustomed to support when Hamas first attacks that turns to criticism when there is inadvertent (and inevitable) civilian damage.
We can brook none of this now. We must move ahead no matter what world criticism emerges.
Already on the far left in Congress there are calls for a ceasefire. They pull out that tired and inappropriate reference to a “cycle of violence” that must end.
https://worldisraelnews.com/hamas-apologists-dems-call-for-ceasefire-fail-to-condemn-terror/
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I find myself thoroughly soured now on the possibility of Israeli-Saudi normalization. The Saudi foreign minister has released a most disturbing statement that included the following:
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following the developments of the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence on several fronts there…
“The Kingdom recalls its repeated warning of the dangers of an explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation…”
Its call was for the international community to activate a peace process that leads to a two-state solution.
https://twitter.com/KSAmofaEN/
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It is greatly concerning that there were two series of rockets fired from Lebanon this morning in the area of the disputed Shebaa farms. This suggests the possibility of Hezbollah involvement, but Hezbollah took credit for only the first volley of rockets. Israel responded with artillery fire.
Hezbollah involvement now would significantly escalate the war. What will hopefully discourage Hezbollah is the knowledge that this would finish them in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is, of course, the proxy of Iran, and we can look to Iran as the ultimate motivating factor here, even with regard to Hamas actions.
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I want to call attention here to the excellent work of United Hatzalah:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/israel-at-war-united-hatzalah-needs-urgent-supplies/
“Since the early hours of Shabbat morning, hundreds of paramedics, doctors, and EMTs from United Hatzalah have been providing lifesaving medical care on various battlefields in the southern region and have unfortunately had to pronounce many of the injured dead…
“Our medics are on the front line and in need of support and reinforcements as they respond to lifesaving calls. The time is now. Your support is critical to ensure the safety of our volunteers and the people of Israel.”
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We will win, my friends, I have no doubt about it, with help from above. And we will emerge stronger from this ordeal.
Says analyst Haviv Rettig Gur (emphasis added):
Hamas will soon learn the scale of its miscalculation in attacking as it has.
…”A strong Israel may tolerate a belligerent Hamas on its border; a weaker one cannot. A safe Israel can spend much time and resources worrying about the humanitarian fallout from a Gaza ground war; a more vulnerable Israel cannot.
“A wounded, weakened Israel is a fiercer Israel.
“Hamas was once a tolerable threat. It just made itself an intolerable one.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-wounded-weakened-israel-is-a-fiercer-one/
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© Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
