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On Sunday morning, our granddaughter’s husband Yosef (last name intentionally omitted) was given a 24-hour leave after nearly a month straight in Gaza. We hadn’t seen or spoken to Yosef, a member of the IDF Nahal Brigade, in nearly six weeks. While in Gaza, he had no phone, and for the last four weeks, our only news was through a supply officer who periodically went in and out of Gaza to make sure the troops were properly supplied. Yosef’s wife Batsheva had spoken to him a few times when this same officer let some of the soldiers use his phone to call home.

The reflexive support for Israel’s right to wipe out Hamas is nearing an end. With non-stop coverage of the war in Gaza [the Israel-Hamas War] alongside continual protests by pro-Hamas activists, the average person who does not know the history of Israel and Gaza will begin to turn against Israel in the name of sympathy. So, it’s up to us, the friends, neighbors, and co-workers of those who did not receive this education, to inform people of the history when they ask for it. So, we must be prepared. For brevity, this will be limited to the history between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

I sit here on the plane, physically departing Ben Gurion Airport, but not emotionally prepared to separate from the land of our people. Reflecting on the last few short days, my thoughts are a bit discombobulated. Operation Iron Hugs achieved operational success under every imaginable definition; but our mission, all of our missions, are just beginning.

Israel believes Hamas could potentially locate some 30 more mothers and children and that the 4-day halt could be extended by extra day per each 10 Israeli hostages freed

By Jacob Magid And Tal Schneider (www.timesofisrael.com)

Feelings of a Seminary Girl in Eretz Yisrael During the Current Times

Every seminary girl who comes to Eretz Yisrael for a year is looking to grow in her ruchniyus through Torah classes. She travels around the country. She becomes a Shabbos guest by many different families. She becomes more independent and makes new friends. As this war is still going on and we have not yet met Mashiach, let us understand how it feels to be a seminary girl in Eretz Yisrael at this time. Is she able to reach all the goals she had for her year in seminary?

Since the Massacre of October 7, over 200 Israelis have been held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza strip.  To bring attention to these hostages, posters have been plastered all over major cities to raise awareness of the atrocities and crimes committed by terrorists.  Supporters of these barbarians, however, have made it their business to rip down posters of babies, women, the elderly, and all other hostages because they do not think that the lives of these hostages are worthwhile because they are Jews.