Heavy Hearts

It is with tears that we write this post.  Our hearts hurt and grieve with all Israel as we have begun to have significant loss of lives of our soldiers - those brave men laying down their lives for their nation, for their people....for us.

Just three days ago we began the ground operation.  Our first loss was a 20 year old soldier.  Then it became four more.  Now today we were informed of thirteen additional soldiers all from Golani Brigade.  There are also 50-60 wounded soldiers in hospitals.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/soldiers-killed-in-gaza/

While Jerusalem is only a mere 50 miles from Gaza, it feels so very far away.  We keep asking ourselves, what more can we do? How can we encourage, support, and give to these brave young men and women??  It's so hard to explain the intensity of wanting to be a part of supporting them in some way, even if small.  On a personal level, we have at times been stopping soldiers on the streets, trains, buses, shops & restaurants to encourage them, thank them, and let them know we are praying for them.  Sometimes we have offered to buy their drink or snacks.  Sometimes they let us, and sometimes they won't let us.  Today we got to do a little bit more.

Ever since the last war with Gaza, we have been wanting to reprint some cards we were running out of.  The cards are of Psalm 91 (quoted in our last email) and written in Hebrew.  They are the size of a credit card (printed on both sides), and the soldiers can keep them with them in a pocket or wallet.  Jim ordered them last week, and they were ready for pickup today.

Psalm 91 (front & back)

We felt it was important to pick these up as soon as possible to get them in the hands of the soldiers in the midst of this operation.  While we were at the supplier's office in Tel Aviv, they received the word about the 13 Golani soldiers killed.  The news hit all of us in the office like a ton of bricks, we were all numb, not even knowing what to say or how to react.  No one wanted a ground operation, and yet we understand why it is necessary.

As we left with our promise from God to those who defend this Land written on these little plastic cards, we realized that our plans for the day had just changed.  We knew we had to go find soldiers to encourage.  Not knowing exactly where we were going to go, we headed south towards the cities north of Gaza where we knew there are army bases.  We didn't make it too far down the road before we heard the code red siren.  As with most other drivers, we pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the vehicle and squatted on the side of the road until we heard the booms of the Iron Dome destroying the incoming missiles.  We then got back in and continued south.

We were in Rishon LeZion.

We had heard how appreciative soldiers were for cold drinks and such, and Jim had it in his heart to provide some to whomever we were led to, so we stopped at a supermarket just south of Ashdod to get some cold sodas and teas.  He then determined that we would go to an army base not far from there - a Golani Brigade base.

Ashdod

We knew we would not be able to gain access on the army base, as we had not received prior permission.  We did, however, give the drinks and Psalm 91 cards to the soldiers we met outside and at the gate.  They seemed a bit surprised that we came all the way just to give them cold drinks.  We did our best to show them our support and let them know we were praying for them.  Jim also told them we were sorry for their loss in the Golani Brigade that day.  They told us they were safe, but their friends and fellow soldiers were in Gaza.

We then left to get a bite to eat before heading back.  Everywhere we went, there were soldiers.  And to as many as we could, we gave the Psalm 91 cards.  We also saw a lot of military vehicles on the road.

Sky on our way home 

While this war is very complex, as Prime Minister Netanyahu stated this evening, Israel did not choose this battle, it was imposed upon us. And that the difference with most countries and Israel is that everyone in this country knows at least one person who is fighting in this battle - including us.  Jim had visited and provided equipment for the Golani brigade that lost so many of its own today.  We also know other soldiers and commanders fighting for us in this war.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-israel-engaged-in-historic-battle-for-its-home/

Israel could take care of this quickly by bombing all of Gaza, but the IDF soldiers instead are willing to put their lives on the line to save Gazan civilians.  Compassion continues as Israel agrees to two humanitarian cease fires, even as Hamas still fires rockets at Israel.  Daily Israel delivers food and supplies into Gaza.  Israel is even building a field hospital near Gaza to treat Gazan civilians.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-set-to-open-field-hospital-for-wounded-gazans/

In the mean time Hamas is hiding under the hospital in Gaza and being transported in ambulances.  The tunnels the IDF have found are in private civilian homes, schools and mosques. Hamas tell the people not to leave their homes when warned by Israel, then blame Israel for women and children who are killed.  

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Analysis-Fighting-terrorists-who-move-around-in-ambulances-363498

Our prime minister again tonight apologized for the civilian casualties. It is not Israel's aim to kill civilians. It is, however, the aim of Hamas, as they have proven with the continual rockets into Israel and the tunnel attacks in which they bring not only weapons with them, but handcuffs and sedatives in order to not only kill people, but kidnap civilians or soldiers.  From one of the online news sources Saturday:

"The Hamas terrorists who infiltrated into Israel via an underground tunnel this morning, in a raid which killed two soldiers, were wearing IDF uniforms.  They were also carrying weapons, handcuffs and sedatives, indicating the plan was to kidnap soldiers or civilians and take them back into Gaza.  Military sources say the two soldiers and the IDF jeep in which they were patrolling were not the target of the infiltration. That their patrol happened to be in the area when the Hamas gunmen emerged prevented a far worse terrorist attack, the sources said."

Eliminating these tunnels is one of the two main objectives of Operation Protective Edge.  There are hundreds of these tunnels networked all under Gaza leading into Israel.  These are not just "mole" tunnels, but are fortified with cement walls and equipped with electricity.  Some are as deep as 90 feet.  They have even been found under washing machines in civilian homes.  They have more than one entrance and exit and many are linked together.

Many of you may not understand why a ground operation is so important to be successful in defeating Hamas.  If you will, please take a few minutes to read this important explanation from Sgt. Benjamin Anthony, both a veteran and a combat reservist in the Israel Defense Forces.  His understanding of why it is necessary is based on Numbers 32:6: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?"  We believe you will hear the heart of the Nation and its defenders.  Remember, he wrote this a few days before the ground operation began.

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-a-ground-incursion-is-needed/

Last week before the ground operation in Gaza, the head of the Israeli army’s Givati infantry brigade, Colonel Ofer Winter, wrote these words to his soldiers:

"History has chosen us to be the sharp edge of the bayonet of fighting the “Gazan” terrorist enemy which curses, defames and abuses the God of Israel. We have practiced and prepared for this time and we take upon ourselves the mission with full humility, and being willing to endanger ourselves and give our lives to protect our families, our nation and our homeland.

We will act together forcefully and with resolve, with initiative, and with deceptive tricks and aim for contact with the enemy. We will do everything to live up to the mission and wipe out the enemy and remove the threat from the Nation of Israel. We will not return without acting.

We will do everything to return our boys safely. Using all means at our disposal and with all required force.

I trust you, each and every one of you, to act in that spirit, in the spirit of Israeli fighters who are the pioneers leading the camp. The spirit of Givati. I turn my eyes to the sky and call with you, “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The Lord God of Israel make our path successful, as we are about to fight for Your People, Israel, against an enemy who blasphemes your name. In the name of the IDF fighters and in particular the fighters and commanders of [this] Brigade, bring to pass what is written: “For the Lord your God goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.” And we all answer, “Amen.”

Together and only together we will win."

"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, 
that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 

And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: 
Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. 

Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, 
and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, 

to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’"

Deuteronomy 20:2-4