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UPDATES ON THE WAR – Day 29th (Nov 4th):
*We are on Day 29 of the conflict and rocket fire and suffering continues on both sides. We have created categories to make our summaries easier to read and understand.
IN THE SOUTH (GAZA):
- Saudi Arabia intercepted 5 missiles fired at Israel when they crossed Saudi airspace from Yemen launched by the Houthi.
- Missile from Yemen to Israel unprecedented launch (a distance of at least 1,600 meters = longest-range launch of ballistic missiles ever!). AND the first operational interception of a ballistic missile by Israel’s Arrow missile defense system (an expensive untested system is effective in this first ballistic missile interception.
- Israel intercepts Hamas rocket launched from Gaza at southernmost city of Eilat. The distance between Gaza and Eilat is 250 kilometers (155.3), the furthest distance Hamas rockets have reached so far.
- “100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid are moving through Rafah each day but that is not nearly enough,” added Blinken.
- Rocket sirens sound in Gaza border communities
- IDF says forces are operating in north and south of Gaza Strip
- 24 Israeli soldiers and officers killed in Gaza ground offensive
- reports from the Hamas-run Health Ministry claims over 9,000 killed in Gaza (accuracy of these Stats are in question but none the less large and devastating)
IN THE NORTH (LEBANON):
- Israeli Defense Minister tours northern border: “We are not interested in war on the Lebanese front”
- IDF eliminates terror cell firing anti-tank missiles from Lebanese territory: The IDF says that an Israeli tank fired on a cell of terrorists that was attempting to fire anti-tank missiles from Lebanese territory into Israel. Israeli aircraft also attacked and killed a terrorist who approached the border area near the city of Shlomi, according to the military
IN THE CENTER:
- Rocket alarms blare in Tel Aviv and central Israel (Nov 3rd)
WEST BANK:
- Settlers are being opportunists to terrorize and establish new outposts, build roads around settlements, etc. Criticism of the IDF, Police, and local Israeli authorities that are allowing this to continue. This threatens to drag Israel into war in the West Bank. It also weakens the PA ability to be a legitimate part of the solution in Gaza aftermath.
- Speaking at a news conference in Amman, alongside his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, the top U.S. diplomat also said Washington was worried about violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank.
- Israel deports thousands of Gazan workers stuck in the West Bank since the start of the war.
NEGOTIATIONS – HOSTAGE RELEASE:
- 240 hostages held in Gaza, 40 remain missing
- Hamas tried to sneak its fighters out of Gaza in ambulances via Rafah, delaying efforts to evacuate foreign nationals. Hamas provided Egypt and the U.S. with a list of those seriously wounded that it wanted to evacuate, along with the thousands of foreign nationals looking to leave.
- S. and Egyptian officials found that a third of the names were Hamas fighters, none of whom were among the 76 wounded Palestinians eventually evacuated.
- A senior U.S. official said, “There’s an active process going on here with multiple lines of effort,” the official noted, describing it as “incredibly difficult, complex and time consuming.”
- Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that the continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip complicated its efforts to mediate the release of hostages held by Hamas.
GLOBAL RESPONSE & INVOLVEMENT:
- Since Israel’s escalation began, U.S. officials have subtly toned down their full-throated endorsements of blanket support of Israel’s actions and focusing more on the need to follow international laws of war and on increasing humanitarian issues in the region.
- U.S. sees Palestinian Authority as possible solution in Gaza, but the tension in the West Bank is concerning and could foil that possibility.
- Nearly 2,000 U.S. soldiers are prepared to deploy in noncombat roles, while two aircraft carrier strike groups and a Marines assault ship are currently in the region. The U.S. is also deploying a THAAD antiballistic missile defense system and an unspecified number of Patriot missile battalions to unnamed locations across the Middle East amid ever present fears of a regional war erupting.
- After third visit to Israel, Blinken visits Jordan and will continue to Turkey
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz on Friday that “the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism consistent with international humanitarian law.”
- Meeting in Tel Aviv, Blinken and Gantz also discussed “ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and maintain calm and stability in the West Bank,” according to a statement. Blinken also stressed that Washington “remains committed to advancing a two-state solution.”
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday both Washington and Arab states believe the status quo of a Hamas-controlled Gaza cannot continue and that he has discussed with his Arab counterparts how to chart a better path forward towards a two-state solution. Speaking at a news conference in Amman, alongside his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, the top U.S. diplomat also said Washington was worried about violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank.
- Blinken says spoke today to Arab ministers about ways to accelerate aid delivery to Gaza; “countries across the middle east have played an essential role preventing the spread of the Israel-Hamas conflict.” He also said that he spoke today about ways to accelerate and expand the sustained delivery of aid into Gaza.
- “100 trucks are moving through Rafah each day but that is not nearly enough,” added Blinken.
- In speech, Hezbollah’s Nasrallah praises ‘heroic’ Oct 7 Hamas attack, says it was ‘100% Palestinian’
- Israel calls on its citizens abroad to downplay public signs of their ‘Jewish or Israeli identity
- Israel Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan clashed with the World Health Organization, shortly after the international body criticized Israel’s strike on an ambulance outside a Gaza hospital. Erdan responded that the WHO’s “bias and double standards truly know no bounds. Are you on the ground yourself? Did you verify that Hamas terrorists weren’t exploiting the ambulance for terror? They did! You jump on any opportunity to condemn Israel, but remain absolutely silent while Hamas deliberately fires rockets at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon,” Erdan said. He continued: “Where was your ‘utter shock’ when Hamas Nazis murdered Magen David Adom paramedics while they were treating the wounded? Where were your calls to protect ambulances when Israeli EMTs were targeted by Hamas RPGs? Why is Israeli blood so cheap to you?”
- Zionists eyes sparkle and are ecstatic because from their perspective, these are the days of the Messiah. This is their double fantasy: full Jewish rule over the entire area from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River, in concert with the erasure of Arab existence and the emergence of a halakhic state from the ashes of today’s liberal-democratic Israel.
- China has removed Israel from their digital maps but Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and other neighboring states remain
SUMMARY OF LOSSES & RESPONSES:
- At least 1,300 Israeli civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas massacre
- 24 Israeli soldiers and officers killed in Gaza ground offensive
- Reports from the Hamas-run Health Ministry claims over 9,000 killed in Gaza (accuracy of these Stats are in question but none the less large and devastating)
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
What should Israel do in order to illuminate the Hamas threat of repeated attacks? What would you recommend Israel’s approach should be right now?
What should Hamas do to get needed support and help? (They are land-locked and restricted and are experiencing extreme economic conditions)
*We know the questions are MANY and the issues deep and complex. We hope the information shared on this blog will help you process all the information and issues.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT / PROPHETIC QUOTES:
Ironically…criticisms made by either side about the other could easily be flipped and also apply to the opposing party. Both are guilty of many of the same criticisms. It is difficult to take a firm stand for either side as both have crimes against humanity!
What is the best solution and resolution?
The following is a snippet from a talk given in Oct 2023 by the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Russell M. Nelson who is esteemed by his followers as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator:
“Here is the great news of God’s plan: the very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be! Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.”
Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import. Far too many people live as though this life is all there is. However, your choices today will determine three things: where you will live throughout all eternity, the kind of body with which you will be resurrected, and those with whom you will live forever. So, think celestial.
In my first message as President of the Church, I encouraged you to begin with the end in mind. This means making the celestial kingdom your eternal goal and then carefully considering where each of your decisions while here on earth will place you in the next world.” (“Think Celestial!” By President Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2023)
*If you would like to gain more understanding of the history of this country and conflict from a scriptural standpoint we recommend you take our Holy Land Scripture Course created to accompany our Virtual Tour of the Holy Land. Link below:
