This Week Today Current Events from Israel Just ten days remain in Black History Month and then it’s straight into always peaceful Ramadan - quite a year to be north African. Ok, now onto important things. I apologize for the delay in the news update this week, there was a violent burglary/attack in the Old City and I had to respond as part of the first response team. The victim is recovering and searches are continuing for the perpetrator, who has reportedly fled Jerusalem. Israeli Hostages in Gaza We are nearing the end of Phase 1 of the current hostage deal with Hamas. Negotiations have begun toward a Phase 2, but nothing has been agreed to as of now. According to the schedule of Phase 1, and a secret until very recently, 4 dead hostages are to be returned to Israel this Thursday. After that, what was supposed to happen was that 3 more live hostages would be released on Shabbos and then repeat again the following week. Meaning, as of this writing, there are 6 more live hostages to be released and 8 dead hostages to be released as part of Phase 1. Of the 6 live hostages, 4 were kidnapped on Oct. 7th and 2 are Israeli citizens (an Arab and an Ethiopian) who crossed into Gaza approximately 10 years ago of their own volition and who reportedly suffer from mental health situations. At some point this week it was agreed to by Israel and Hamas that all 6 live Israeli hostages would be released this Shabbos in return for Israel allowing the entrance of heavy machinery and temporary trailer residences into Gaza. It’s a pretty bizarre deal. Why is it worth it for Israel to move up the release of the 3 remaining live hostages (of which only one is connected to Oct. 7th) by one week? Certainly it’s a nice thing, but how is it worth it to give something to Hamas - something that they will celebrate publicly as a major victory? Perhaps Israel was already aware that of the 4 bodies being returned, 3 of them would be the Bibas family members - mother and two small children. While it has seemed fairly clear that they have been dead for some time (over a year), it appears that many in Israel and around the world were holding out hope that somehow that was not the case. I have no idea why folks would think that, but it seems quite widespread. As if killing a mother and 2 kids is anywhere near out of bounds for Hamas or other Islamists. Undoubtedly, Hamas will blame Israel for the deaths regardless. With the official announcement by both Hamas and Israel that the Bibas Family members are indeed dead and their bodies set to be returned to Israel, shock and rage are spreading like wildfire throughout the Jewish world. The rage is actually refreshing, but the shock is a bit confusing. I don’t know why anyone is confused about Hamas and I don’t know why the rage has been so absent for so long. Anyway, maybe Israel wanted all the live hostages home asap so that they could then lambaste Gaza or at least take out some Hamas terrorist leaders or something akin to that. Hope so. In the meantime, Hamas has once again reiterated their offer, as they have from Oct. 8th, that they will return all the hostages in exchange for all terrorists being released, all Jews out of Gaza and an end to the war. Israel didn't agree on the first day and never should. No backsies Hamas, now you go away, forever. For now, Hamas is making a whole party of giving the bodies of the hostages back. It’s really sick, but in a way, those folks supporting this all over the world are even sicker. “Nations, sing the praise of his People for he will avenge the blood of his servants and take revenge on his enemies and appease his land and his nation.” (Deut 32.43) May we be appeased very soon and completely. Lebanon The official ceasefire in Lebanon has expired and Israel has pulled back its forces from all populated areas in southern Lebanon. However, Israeli forces remain in 5 strategic locations within the borders of Lebanon. Needless to say, the Lebanese government is whining about this. Meanwhile, Hezbollah flags are once again being flown near the Israeli borders and within eyesight of Jewish communities. Israel is continuing, as in Gaza, to conduct pinpoint strikes on terrorists, but in both places, this is a far cry from what is going to need to happen in order for the Israeli people, especially those living in the border regions, to feel secure again. Judea and Samaria Israeli forces continue to eliminate terrorists, primarily in the northern Shomron (Samaria). Again, it cannot be emphasized enough that similar to Gaza, this is an area that Israel unilaterally expelled both its citizens and forces from as part of the “Disengagement” of 2005. Topping the Oslo Accords as the worst decision in Israel history is no easy task, but we got a real competition on our hands. : Speaking of bad decisions, Egypt is openly violating the terms of the Camp David Peace Accords by stationing large numbers of military forces in the Sinai Peninsula. They are reportedly now in the process of building bases there as well. This is a very dangerous game they are playing. Egypt was the first Middle Eastern country visited by President Hussein Obama, but he ain’t in charge no more. It’s well known that Egyptian society is behind on a lot of things, although not like prehistoric Yemen. The bulk of the weapons in Gaza came from Egypt. Egypt has not allowed Gazans to flee there. Egypt is a big part of the problem. They best catch up fast and get in line. Patience and understanding are not what Israel is striving for right now and these are also not traits generally attributed to President Trump. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get an African country to open an embassy in Jerusalem this month, but we did get Fiji. Fiji becomes the seventh country to do so. Hopefully more will join, but whatevs. As we often quote first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion: “What matters is not what the goyim say, but what the Jews do.” The traditionally joyous month of Adar is right around the corner. May the light and joy of Judaism blot out the savagery that surrounds us. We are required to enjoy a festive meal on Purim during the day, exactly while our enemies will be starving during Ramadan this year. This will, G-d willing, become quite the trend. -Ben Packer +972-54-447-0221