Today may have been Israel’s worst day in its seventy-five year history. Beginning early in the morning, Hamas fired more than 3,000 missiles at Israel, nine times more in one day than it could and did before. Early morning also saw Hamas’ terrorists come by sea, air (paraglider), and through the border fence to wreak havoc. Some reached towns fifteen miles away from the border. Some wantonly murdered youngsters at a nearby festival. Like the first day of the Yom Kippur War, Israel was surprised. But unlike the Yom Kippur War, this was the first time since the War for Independence that Israel’s population was directly attacked. Hamas’ purpose? Killing and kidnapping Israeli civilians.
They succeeded.
Hamas’ terrorists killed hundreds, wounded fifteen hundred, and took at least dozens more into Gaza where some have been paraded in the streets in various states of dress and physical condition. Many were carted into tunnels. All face a horrible future. The captives include at least one baby, a five year old, the elderly, and the infirm. Video on CNN showed a young women screaming while being carted off on a motorcycle. And the fighting continues. Israel’s death toll will mount. It’s suffering will continue. It’s not over.
Hamas’ actions must have taken months to plan. Hamas’ plan required financing. Hamas utilizes weapons smuggled into Gaza or constructed in Gaza workshops with outside help. There is no doubt where the money came from—Iran. There is no doubt where the knowhow came from—Iran and Hezbollah.
The whys will be discussed in future days by many. Likewise, intelligence failures, military mistakes, and the impact of judicial reform. But none of that matters tomorrow, the day after, or in the weeks to come until this war is over. Only winning matters.
And this war will not be over soon. Israel will respond. It must respond. And it must do so resolutely until Hamas is defanged if not destroyed. Until its leaders and perpetrators pay a heavy price. Not only because Israel must retaliate to end the threat. But also because Hezbollah is watching. So is Iran. If Israel fails to eviscerate Hamas, Israel will imminently face an even more dangerous fight with Hezbollah.
Earlier today, I communicated with Sarit Zehavi, my close friend and President of Alma, a research and education center specializing in security challenges in the north. Sarit worries that Hezbollah may decide to join in the fighting. She told me the northern borders were not quiet today. Hezbollah instigated provocations. Also, there were opposing reports of UNIFIL—some had UNIFIL evacuating and others said UNIFIL was moving south to monitor likely missile launches. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader encouraged all of Iran’s proxies to join in.
So, as terrible as today was. Tomorrow and the days to come may get worse.
That is where we can make a difference.
Now we must resist the temptation to politicize the failures and speculate on causes. Time enough for that later. Instead, we should join the fight to give Israel the one thing it needs from us today—time and space to do what it needs to do.
Inevitably, taking the fight to Hamas will result in civilian casualties in Gaza. Hamas knows that and wants that. Hamas will win if the international community, and especially the United States, tries to rein in Israel before it achieves its military goals. If that happens, with so many deaths, with so much suffering by those abducted and their families, and with so many recovering in hospitals and homes from physical and emotional injuries—it could begin the end of Israel. For a small country like Israel, no matter its technical expertise and power, a sense of confidence and security is needed to survive when assailed from all fronts. Yesterday Israel’s domestic right and left, secular and religious, were fighting a serious and divisive political and spiritual battle. Today, they are united because in the end they are Israelis. But tomorrow, should Israel not clearly come out on top, that unity could dissolve. That could begin a slippery slide to a fate I fear to contemplate.
So, if you are like me and care about Israel’s survival and vitality, what should we do?
Provide context to all that will listen. Post on social media. Speak to friends and family. Not once. Not twice. But relentlessly. Donate your time, money, and effort to causes that unite not divide—to causes that support rather than vilify the Jewish State. Don’t stand for terms like “the cycle of violence” or “militants’ rather than “terrorists.” Don’t fall for those that insist that all responses must be proportional. Today, Hamas made clear what it is—a terrorist entity that does not value human life and that regards the death and suffering of civilians (Israelis or Gazans or Lebanese) as weapons of war. The same is true for Hezbollah and Iran. Don’t let anyone you speak with forget that. Remember always, that is who Israel is fighting.
And continue to care.
To all of you receiving this bi-monthly newsletter for the first time, please write to me about what you think could be improved. While normally this newsletter exclusively focuses on Hezbollah, today mandated that I do something different. And, of course, unsubscribe if you would rather not get this. But, if you think it worthwhile, please forward this newsletter to anybody who you think would be interested in reading it.
Massive IDF Call-up as Gunfights Continue in Towns; 300 Israelis Dead, Rockets Persist—Written by Emanuel Fabian, Gianluca Pacchiani, and TOL Staff—October 7, 2023 —As of 10:20 PM, this is the most current news I could find. I am sure by the time we all wake up October 8, 2023. There will be more. Likely, little of it good.
Hezbollah Could be Using the Border Dispute Mediation Efforts as a Diversion to Prepare for Confrontation— October 4, 2023 — Written by Tal Beeri for Alma — In this rather clairvoyant article, the author suggests that Hezbollah is up to something and explains why.
Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah—A War Without End is now available in eBook and hardback format on Amazon and IngramSpark. This compelling narrative explores Hezbollah’s origins and cancerous growth, traces Israel’s response, and reveals Israel’s present readiness to meet Hezbollah’s challenge.
Cliff Sobin
Important Link—Alma Research and Education Center: Understanding the Security Challenges on Israel’s Northern Border