GNITN – Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 27
Storms All Around – Red Letter Edition

IDF Ground Operation

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As the ground offensive continues in Gaza, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is showing its strategy as seen in a map of the area that highlights where they are active. There is a northern front and a southern front and this is detailed in this article from i24news.tv (see https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1698922889-idf-strategy-in-the-gaza-ground-operation) :

Since Friday, Israeli forces have been operating in three main areas: first, it is the north-eastern part of the Gaza Strip, around Beit Hanoun outskirts. The troops there are moving south.

Another point of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity is in Al Karama, in the north-western part of the Gaza Strip. The aim on that flank is to head down to Al Rashid, the main coastal route.

Finally, the third point of operation in the south of Gaza City itself, more specifically -at the Salah al-Din Netzerim intersection. That is also where we receive the footage with the Israeli tanks from.

IDF's aim is also to reach the coastal route, as fast as it can and to basically encircle Gaza City, relying on the support of other groups.

That would allow the forces to enter the city from multiple areas. Such a break-down seeks to amplify the forces in attacking Gaza City - the IDF's main target, where the key Hamas centers are located.

Attacks From The North

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While the IDF is continuing its offensive in Gaza, Hezbollah is still firing rockets into northern Israel from southern Lebanon, although in this case, Hamas is claiming responsibility as seen in this quote from The Times Of Israel (see https://www.timesofisrael.com/rocket-from-lebanon-strikes-kiryat-shmona-as-fighting-ramps-up-on-northern-border/) :

Rocket fire from southern Lebanon rained on Israel Thursday, causing widespread damage in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona as skirmishes on the northern border intensified, and an Iranian-sponsored militia originally deployed to Syria began bolstering the Hezbollah terror group.

Rocket sirens sounded in northern communities throughout the evening, with at least one projectile impacting in Kiryat Shmona, setting stores and cars in the largely evacuated city alight.

The Hamas terror group claimed responsibility for the barrage, saying it fired 12 rockets.

According to the article, the IDF is more than ready to respond:

“The militia has engaged in confrontation with the IDF in recent weeks along the Lebanese border,” he wrote on X.

“Hezbollah and the Imam Hussein Brigade will cause Lebanon to pay a heavy price for the benefit of Hamas-ISIS. The IDF is fully prepared to respond to anyone who tries to undermine its sovereignty in the north,” he added… During a tour of the northern communities Thursday, MK Gadi Eisenkot of the opposition National Unity party, a former IDF chief of staff, warned those seeking to attack Israel like Hamas did on October 7.

“Our message to all those considering imitating the bloody attack and harming Israeli sovereignty is clear — Israel will eliminate their military capability, eliminate their leaders, destroy their governing position, and seriously harm a country that allows or supports such an attempt,” he said.

West Bank Heats Up

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An Israeli citizen was killed in a shooting in the West Bank in what is described as a terrorist attack. Hear is more on what happened from The Times Of Israel (see https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-say-east-jerusalem-shooting-and-bombing-attack-foiled-2-men-arrested/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&utm_medium=desktop_site&utm_campaign=rocket-from-lebanon-strikes-kiryat-shmona-as-fighting-ramps-up-on-northern-border) :

An Israeli man was killed Thursday in a shooting attack on a West Bank road Thursday, sparking a manhunt for the assailants and revenge attacks by settlers, amid spiking tensions in the territory.

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Elhanan Klein, 29, was killed as he was returning from army reserve duty to his home in the settlement of Einav in the northern West Bank, the Samaria Regional Council said. Medics found him dead in his car, which crashed and overturned on the side of Route 557 near the Palestinian town of Bayt Lid, northwest of Nablus.

Israeli authorities described the incident as a terror attack and the Israel Defense Forces launched a manhunt for the gunman behind the attack, setting up roadblocks in the area.

We turn to a report on the same incident from i24news.tv (see https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1698914350-israeli-killed-in-west-bank-terror-shooting) :

"When we arrived at the scene, we saw an overturned vehicle on the side of the road. The driver inside the vehicle was unconscious, wasn’t breathing, had no pulse and suffered penetrating injuries. We conducted a medical examination, and were forced to pronounce his death after a short while," a paramedic was quoted by Ynet News as saying.

Klein leaves behind a wife who is pregnant with their fourth child.

Fuel To Be Given To Gazan Hospitals

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After Israel cutoff power, water, and fuel to the Gaza Strip to try and keep it from Hamas, aid and fuel will be allowed in after all. The IDF said that the fuel dispension will be monitored as we read in this article from i24news.tv (see https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1698941122-idf-announces-plan-to-give-fuel-to-gazan-hospitals) :

In a move to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials have announced plans to provide fuel to Gaza hospitals once their existing supplies run out.

The decision comes as concerns grow about the depleting fuel reserves that are crucial for powering generators and ensuring the continuous IDF operations to stop Hamas while avoiding civilian loss of life in Gaza.

Herzi Halevi, IDF Chief of staff announced Thursday, "For over a week now, we have been hearing that the gas in the hospitals in Gaza is running out, and we see that there is still fuel there. When the fuel runs out, we will put fuel into the hospitals under supervision and make sure that it does not reach Hamas."

The change in tactics could be from pressure to help keep these hospitals running, but it could also be because the IDF can more closely monitor the transfer now that they are on the ground in Gaza.

A Pause For Hostage Release, Humanitarian Pushed

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The United States is wanting a pause in the war to allow hostages to be released as well as letting in humanitarian aid. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel to offer help and advice for Israel as seen in this quote from The Times Of Israel (see https://www.timesofisrael.com/blinken-to-enter-gaza-diplomatic-fray-as-biden-calls-for-pause-to-get-hostages-out/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&utm_medium=desktop_site&utm_campaign=idf-chief-says-fuel-could-be-allowed-to-enter-gaza-pm-denies-okaying-move) :

(Blinken will) push for the evacuation of more foreigners from Gaza and more humanitarian aid for the territory. He’ll press Israel to rein in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank committed by Jewish settlers. And, he’ll stress the importance of protecting civilians. The administration has refrained, however, from offering any criticism of Israel for strikes that Hamas, in unverified claims, says have killed thousands of civilians in Gaza.

So, while calling for brief pauses in airstrikes and fighting for humanitarian purposes, he will continue to oppose growing calls for a broader ceasefire. On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden said he thought there should be a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas war to get “prisoners” out.

Blinken will also relay the administration’s desire to keep the two-state plan alive:

Blinken will also be introducing a new element to the US list of priorities: the need for Israel and its neighbors to begin to consider what a post-conflict Gaza will look like, who will govern it, how it can be made secure and how to establish an independent Palestinian state.

Keeping Peace In Troubled Times

"God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs… "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. "Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too." (Matt 5:4-5, 12, NLT)

With all the talk of cease fires, hostage releases, and helping those in need it is important to note that we as Believers also have struggles or wars with temptations, sickness, relationships, finances and much more. How do we deal with them? As Jesus told us in Matthew 5 God will bless us in trying times. And we read these verses in Isaiah 43:2 which should give us further hope:

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (NLT)

He IS with us! Then add this verse found in Psalm 126:5 that assures us our tears are like seeds in His eyes:

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. (NLT)

Are you getting the message? I certainly hope so because these verses should lift you up when all hope seems lost. Jesus is in the boat as the storms of life rage. Let Him calm the storm around you and in you now.