It’s quite difficult to write a news report from Israel, as frankly no one seems to know what is going to happen next. The only thing we know is that Purim is on Thursday night, and while the kids are getting dressed up for the celebrations the atmosphere among the adults is generally muted, and there is a tension in the air.
59 hostages remain in Gaza, and we understand that 35 have been murdered, but as yet there is no plan in place to bring the remaining living 24 safely home and that is unacceptable to the Israeli public.
Trump’s envoy apparently spoke directly with Hamas and then gave some disturbing interviews, which he is now trying to clarify. He was fooled by the proposal of a 5-10 year ceasefire coupled with the release of more terrorist prisoners in exchange for the hostages . I cannot imagine anyone in Israel agreeing to just store up another battle in 5-10 years and the general feeling is that Hamas must be destroyed permanently, although there isn’t an acceptable proposal to achieve this while simultaneously bringing the hostages home .
Last week, Boehler, the US envoy, wrote on X that the US doesn’t negotiate with terrorists and this week he has talks with them and suggest we might find a path in the middle. No one can meet someone half way when they want to kill you and lets not forget the massacres they have already executed . We must hope that Trump doesn’t pressure us to make a deal with the devil that leaves the door open to another October 7th, even if it is in ten years. No wonder we don’t know WTF is going on !!
Ultimately, the talks have failed and Hamas has increased their prestige by holding direct talks with the US. The looming fire of “The Gates of Hell” , promised by Trump, have been dampened and Hamas are not afraid. They can’t believe their luck and their success at manipulating firstly the usual idiots around the world who would one day be on their hit list, and then when all hope was lost for their cause with the departure of the puppet Biden, they meet the foolish and naive envoy Boehler. Oh Vey…. There is no other word !
Israeli negotiators are heading to Qatar for more talks .
In a bid to turn the pressure up on Hamas to release the hostages, in additional to halting the aid trucks, Israel has turned off the electricity supply to Gaza, but in a practical sense this doesn’t have much of an impact for a few weeks as they have generators and solar panels. Without a functioning water plant which relies on electricity, not only will they not have clean water in a few weeks but the sewage would then be discharged raw into the sea causing all sorts of diseases and problems. The food situation is not critical as so much aid has entered the strip that they have food for a few weeks, and of course, there is a border with Egypt who can supply all their needs.
Without any deterrent it is reported that Hamas are back moving explosives to the buffer zone, and there is free movement of vehicles in Gaza . So at this time, Israel is hamstrung and Gaza is enjoying Ramadan without releasing any hostages.
Hezbollah are quiet for the moment despite their claim of still being able to attack Israel. The Houthi are quiet, but are threatening to restart their attacks if the aid trucks do not recommence in a few days.
The big news is from Syria, where is it reported the new regime has killed more than one thousand Alawites who are pro Assad, and have been attacking Damascus, probably with support from Iran. I24 have reported that the Alawite leaders are bizarrely begging Israel to save them from the regime !
The Syrian Druze communities are under the protection of Israel and it is generally quiet on the northern border.
We can only pray for a peaceful Purim and a breakthrough to release the hostages this week.
Kind Regards
Carolyne Davis