Just as we were getting really relaxed and breathing a sigh of relief that Rosh HaShana had passed without incident the sirens started to wail. Rudely awoken from our sleep, we dashed to our safe room .We realised immediately that this was no false alarm as siren after siren rang out which is most unusual. After three sirens we waited for the all clear, while checking our phones and hearing that there had been a direct hit.
The week before when the second drone in three weeks hit in Eilat, it actually passed by the eyes of people like a huge black bee buzzing before it slammed into a tree just outside the Jacob hotel in town. Miraculously, No one was injured. This time people were not so lucky !
The speed and altitude of the drone apparently, made it too difficult to intercept, and it was not spotted until too late. Originally the news said 28 people injured, but when we went to hospital the next day we heard the receptionist saying 48 had been admitted. Some with shock, some with shrapnel injures and three that were helicoptered to Saroka in Beer Sheva with serious injuries . One person remains in ICU, incubated.
What we have noticed is that none of these indiscriminate attacks, aimed at killing and maiming civilians, including children. (Israel also has children !) have been reported by the western media. They clearly do not think it is worth reporting that once again on a Jewish holiday, Israel has been attacked sending 48 innocents to hospital. Ironically, most the injured were Arab tourists on holiday in Eilat .
Arab on Arab deaths accounts for some of the highest murder rates in the world. The Syrian Civil war cost the lives of over half a million. No one marched in London, New York or Paris.
Depending on whose figures you accept, Yemen has killed in excess of 300,000 since 2015. No one marched in London, New York or Paris.
There is dreadful suffering in Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Nigeria and yet no one is marching in London, New York or Paris.
All six of the above are members of the of the UN, and were likely among the 100 countries that found the speech delivered by Bibi Netanyahu too offensive to listen to.
“In war truth is the first casualty “ Aeschylus
Whether you love or hate Israel’s Prime Minister , he braved a hostile assembly and defended the actions of the IDF . The Arab media around the world broadcasted his speech in full. Did anyone hear it on the BBC, Sky News ? No, because they cannot bear a narrative that contradicts the lies they have been spreading.
The Prime Minister wore a QR code , which led to a website showing the atrocities of October 7th. 30% of the views are from Gaza and Iran.
Ballistic missiles are often fired from Yemen towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but unlike the IDF that drops leaflets, sends text messages and has a “knock on the roof “ policy to warn civilians to get out of harm’s way, The Houthi give no warning in the hope of maximum civilian casualties. That is a war crime !
Since the State of Palestine has been recognised by 156 of the 193 UN member states, the governing body Hamas has been carrying out public executions. The PA have got themselves very excited, and are now demanding trillions of dollars from the UK as retribution for the period the area was under the British Mandate. An interesting self goal for the gormless Sir Keir.
Tragically, there is still no progress on the release of the hostages, although Trump is saying he is days from a deal that would see all hostages released. We are not yet privy to the plan that is being hatched with the help of Tony Blair and Jared Kushner who are in deep discussion with Israel’s neighbours. There is hope that a multi national Arab government could take over Gaza, but how they will dismantle Hamas is yet unknown.
We think that most of the 400 miles of tunnels have been destroyed, but it is thought the hostages are being held in tunnels that still remain in Gaza City. The IDF now have control of Gaza city that has mostly evacuated, bringing down high rise buildings that are booby trapped and serve as operational and surveillance posts for Hamas.
Very few random rockets are being fired from Gaza and 90% of the surviving inhabitants of the South have returned home.
Judea and Samaria known as the West Bank, is causing a lot of concern as the security services discovered a terror cell in Ramallah about to launch attacks. It is unlikely a lone cell, and we know that Hamas and other Jihadist organisations are operating out of the West Bank.
The Lebanese army together with IAF are attempting to destroy Hezbollah terrorists who are violating the cease fire agreement. With all his big words and gestures of support France’s Macron has abandoned Lebanon to their fate and no French troops have gone to their aid to destroy Hezbollah and help the Lebanese to take back their country.
A peace deal with Syria is looking hopeful. The new leader says they have no interest in war. Egypt continues to violate the 1979 peace deal with a significant military build up in the Sinai.
We are not yet arrived at the end of the war, but there are at least positive signs that the end is in sight.
Wishing family friends and readers a peaceful year ahead, the release of all the hostages. and an easy fast.
Oseh Shalom bimromav, Hu ya’eseh Shalom Aleinu “ He who makes peace in his Heights, may He make peace upon us”.
Kind Regards
Carolyne Davis