This Week Today Current Events from Israel The whirlwind that is the President Trump Administration continued in full force this week and now the whole world waits with bated breath to see what will happen next. Anyone who tells you that they know what's coming, stop listening to that person. Speaking of people who should not be listened to - any Jew who didn't vote for Donald Trump! I'm not saying such folks should go jumping off of buildings, but they should at least be quite contrite. What's the Deal? After Hamas released three Israeli hostages this past Shabbos who looked eerily similar to concentration camp survivors, outrage came from many different places. Although not nearly as many as it should have. Anyway, not very surprising, President Trump was the most bothered. A few days later, Hamas announced that they wouldn't be freeing any hostages this coming Shabbos as called for in the current agreement. They claimed that Israel had violated parts of the agreement. Not really sure what Hamas was thinking on this one, here are some possibilities: -The Israeli public is so elated with the release of hostages that they'll force the Government to do whatever it takes to continue. -The Israeli public/army doesn't want to return to war so quickly. -They have a death wish (definitely true but not necessarily mutually exclusive to other possibilities). So let's just say this move by Hamas was not received well. Prime Minister Netanyahu huffed and puffed and announced that he would hold a meeting on the subject the next morning. In the meantime, President Trump demanded that ALL of the Israeli hostages (not just the 9 living hostages to be released in the current phase of the deal) better be released by noon on Shabbos or all hell would break loose. In case folks thought that he misspoke/miss-tweeted, he has repeated this threat every day since. Now Hamas is saying that they probably will release 3 hostages on Shabbos as originally agreed upon. Obviously this is not what President Trump demanded, but he'll probably just let it slide. Probably not. So what's going to happen when Hamas likely does not do what President Trump said to do? Will the fighting resume and if it does, will it be different then it was before? What about the remaining Israeli hostages? In short, how will things be different practically? There are no clear answers to any of this, but here's what I think is most likely: -A cessation or significant decrease in aid to Gaza. Until now the US has compelled Israel to provide large amounts of aid to Gaza and this has enabled Hamas to both continue to exist and to rule over Gaza. This may come to an end and have a dramatic impact. -A massive attack by Israel, specifically on Hamas leaders and positions not previously attacked. -A large-scale attempt by Israel to rescue remaining living Israeli hostages from captivity. These last two were always likely, but the first one is what may actually lead to Hamas' defeat. Anyway, it ought to be a pretty exciting weekend, even without Kendrick Lamar ripping on that other fellow. Lebanon, As if the drama in Gaza this week was not enough, the extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon is due to expire this coming week. What will happen then? Hezbollah has not only not been eliminated but they have returned to their positions in the south, close to the Israeli border. Basically, there is a real feeling in Israel that an attack is coming very soon either from Gaza, Lebanon or both. Also Yemen, but that threat and their country in general are a bad dark joke. Judea and Samaria The IDF continues to conduct intensive operations, specifically in northern Samaria. At least 60 terrorists have been killed in the Jenin area and many more arrested. Since Oct. 7th, the Israeli security establishment has continuously screeched about the imminent threats to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria from their nearby Arab neighbors. But not so much. Apparently the Arab neighbors realize the very dire ramifications that would undoubtedly result from such an attempt and have opated against it, much unlike the communities around Gaza. Besides the certainty of the elimination of any active terrorists, there would also probably be vigilante revenge response attacks and most importantly the strengthening of the Jewish Presence and weakening of the Arab one - the key to this whole conflict! It's a shame that Kanye is acting so badly again, especially during Black History Month. However, the celebration must still go on. Hopefully he'll have much to celebrate in the very near future. Happy Tu B'Shevat! -Ben Packer +972-54-447-0221 To receive weekly on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J1sIjzUbYOD2uAXubYr4I3 Follow the Rabbi Ben Packer channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaniA3YJZg475AzRF00J To receive weekly by email: https://mailchi.mp/dd9d88d97a17/israel-current-events