At approximately 9:05 am this morning (Israeli time) the Islamist terror group Hezbollah opened up a massive katyusha rocket and mortar attack on Israel’s northern farms in the western Galilee. Eight Israeli were injured according to initial reports.
Evidently the attack was a cover ruse to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Two IDF soldiers engaged in a routine Hummer patrol on the Israeli side close to the international border were kidnapped by Hezbollah during the attack. Within an hour Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV announced the kidnap, and within an hour later the Israel Defense Forces spokesman acknowledged the strong probability that a kidnap had occurred.
At this moment, Hezbollah mortars are falling on Israeli kibbutzim and moshavim. IDF jets have blown up a bridge in south Lebanon in an attempt to slow down the terrorists from fleeing deeper into Lebanon, and are shelling Hezbollah positions along the border in that area.
Victory celebrations are breaking out at this moment in towns throughout south Lebanon over the kidnapping.
This kidnapping comes in the wake of the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit two weeks ago, also within Israel’s internationally recognized borders beside the Gaza Strip. That kidnapping prompted a re-entry of IDF forces into Gaza, as well as shelling of Kassam rocket launchers and targeted assassinations of Hamas terrorists and their commanders.
Hezbollah receives its military equipment and encouragement from Iran, and all weapons flow to Hezbollah through Syria. Both countries are involved in strategic advice, influence and support for Hezbollah. Hamas is headquartered in Damascus and also receives much military help from Iran, smuggled in through Egypt.
See the latest updates from a different perspective here at Fox News.
And here at the Jerusalem Post.
You often hear of conflicts in Gaza or on the West Bank, but to have attacks in western Galilee? When I was in Israel, this seemed the most peaceful part of the country. Its beauty and connection with Jesus’ earthly ministry, combined with the relative lack of conflict so apparent in Jerusalem and the West Bank made Galilee my most fondly remembered part of the trip. One day we drove up to Lebanon and its beauty took my breath away.
Yet even there…especially there, the battle will continue. This news served as a sobering reminder to prayer as I head off to work.
4 Comments
Natalie,
Thank you for the update. Often I’m so caught up in the routine of my day that I don’t even know what is going on out there. I hope they are able to retrieve the captured soldiers.
It’s such a sad world…I feel for the Israelis, but I feel for the Palestinians, too. Whether their methods are right or not (well, NOT), they are helpless, desperate, and bitter. Living in such conditions, poverty-stricken and without hope for so many years, it isn’t surprising how they react. It’s heartbreaking to me, thinking of those young suicide bombers – both for the lives they take, but also for them. They need hope outside of the life they’re living.
As for Iran – I was just reading a book (“Persian Pilgrimage”, by Afshin Molavi) and he talked about how anger toward Israel/support of terrorism is really a propaganda thing and most Iranians could really care less. Many are even frustrated that support is being sent to Hamas (or whoever), when their own country needs the money/equipment. I thought that was interesting.
I’ve been keeping track as best as I can, but the news is so confused. I find it impossible to know what’s really at stake, because I don’t know the last decade’s political heritage in the area. It’s like watching a sports game without knowing either team or its major players.
It’s terrible, I know that.
Shalom Natalie!
Thank you so much for posting what has been going on in Ha’Eretz Yisrael! Today I saw the Syrian ambassador to the U.N. being interviewed by CNN. When asked about the attacks and the kidnappings, he totally without shame blamed Israel for everything!
Israel is indeed surrounded by enemies whose high priority is to see her destoryed and wiped off the map! Like you all this has been a sobering wake up call to be diligent in prayer! Shalom, – Yael