(Galilee, Israel) โ This has been a whirlwind of a week in Israel, and the one truth that it has reminded me of so clearly is that here in the Middle East one must always expect the unexpected. The wonderful comfort in knowing Scripture, however, is that no matter how many twists and turns we might face, we know that our God is always in control and is carrying history forward to His ultimate completion.
The Ridiculously Drawn-Out Return of the Hostages
Israel has received the last of its living hostages, and the nation rejoices in that fact. However, Hamas continues to drag its feet in the return of the remains of those whom they murdered and held captive their remains. The original deal said that all hostages, living and deceased, were to be returned in 72 hours. That time is long past, and we are still seeing just a trickling return of our beloved dead. This past week, we saw the return of Eliyahu Margalit, 75; Ronen Engel, 54; Suntaya Akrasi, 30, a Thai citizen; Tal Haimi, 41; Tamir Adar, 38; and Arye Zalmanovich, 85, the oldest of the hostages. That still leaves 13 more whose remains we are anticipating. The Israeli government and its citizenry will soon lose its patience with Hamasโs delaying tactics.
Continued Conflict within the Ceasefire
Why is Israel conducting military actions under the ceasefire? Because Hamas continues to attack Israel, or they are in the process of sneaking into positions from which they can mount attacks. Two IDF soldiers were killed and one was wounded on Sunday when Hamas terrorists snuck out from a tunnel and fired anti-tank missiles. The two soldiers lost were Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Sergeant First Class Itay Yavetz, 21. This incident took place in Rafah within the Yellow Zone, which was created by President Trumpโs plan to delineate the IDF controlled โno-goโ zone for Gazan citizenry. Other actions have taken place within this Yellow Zone, as Hamas terrorists scurry from one place to another to plant explosives or prepare for attacks. These terrorists are eliminated before they can execute their plots.
After the Rafah incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately ordered a halt of humanitarian aid but has since recommenced the supplies. Qatar quickly criticized Israel, neglecting the violent impetus perpetrated by Hamas and the way the terrorist group consistently breaks the agreement in provocative and deadly ways.
As for Hamas, they have made it clear that they will remain armed, despite them agreeing to the 20-point-plan that demands they disarm. Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamasโs political bureau, said that they may commit to a three-to-five-year ceasefire to allow for the rebuilding of Gaza โ a timeframe that is laughable for clean-up without a divine massive shop-vac and a myriad of angelic construction workers. But Nazzal made it clear that disarmament is not on the table, nor would it ever be. Again, this is contrary to points six and thirteen of the peace plan that they already agreed to. However, although it is aggravating, it is exactly what everyone expected from Hamas. Now, when they are destroyed for violating this agreement, they will be mostly friendless because all will see that they were the ones responsible.
Hamas Killing Gazans
Now that Hamas is able, for the most part, to take their eyes off of Israel, they are putting them back on their own people. They are using this lull in hostilities to carry out their vendettas and settle old scores. And it has been a bloodbath. There have been beatings, there has been torture, and there have been executions in the streets. Sheikh Husni al-Mughni, recognized as โHead of Gaza Tribesโ by Hamas, came out strongly in favor of the crimes, endorsing their necessity. However, the al-Mughni clan is very influential and seems to have recognized the difficult situation the Sheikhโs words put them in when it comes to future power structures and wealth in an international effort at rebuilding Gaza. So, they also came out and publicly condemned Hamasโs public executions of innocent Gazans. As always, follow the money.
In another incident that shows their utter disregard of the needs of the citizenry, Hamas has taken over the headquarters of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP). The terrorists expelled all the workers and used the facilities to house their own families. The GCMHP is now calling for help to expel Hamas from their building.
Trumpโs Turkey of a Deal
Prime Minister Netanyahu has watched President Trumpโs relationship with Turkeyโs President Erdoฤan with apparent concern. Israelโs relationship with Turkey has always been sketchy and seems to be on a downward slide. Those of us with an understanding of Ezekielโs prophecies recognize that itโs only going to get worse. When Trump brought Erdoฤan in as a signatory to the Gaza Peace Plan, it seems like that stirred up concern in Netanyahu. Thus, while Vice President J.D. Vance was in Israel, Netanyahu took the opportunity to make it clear that Turkish troops would not be allowed to participate in the international coalition in Gaza. โThatโs a red line,โ said the Prime Minister. He also made it clear that the Palestinian Authority would not be allowed any involvement in post-war Gazan leadership.
The Facts on Gazan Famine and Genocide
The most effective strategy Hamas implemented was propaganda, and their most valuable weapons were the gullible media and the hypocritical western governments. Both of these entities took all of Hamasโs lies at face value without doing any deep fact-checking, then used them in an attempt to destroy Israel, Netanyahu, and the IDF. Their two strongest deceptions were Israelโs intentional famine against the Gazans and their intentional military genocide against innocent civilians. But now the numbers are in, and we can see in black and white whether these claims are true.
Hamas claimed that Israel was intentionally starving Gazans. The media took that as gospel and spread it like mist on a rocky California shoreline. But the numbers, as reported by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) which is a UN-backed system, were highly inflated. In analysis done by journalist and news contributor Salo Aizenberg, he showed that the expected famine deaths in Gaza between August 22-October 9, as purported by the IPC, were 10,143. However, the actual number reported by Hamas itself was 193. In other words, 98% less than the international, antisemitic propaganda number. In fact, the total number of alleged famine deaths as reported by the UN and Hamas for the entire war is 461, which is only 4.5% of what the IPC estimated for that 49-day period from the end of August through the beginning of October. The Gaza famine has always been a lie.
In addition, Hamas claimed that Israel was carrying out intentional genocide against Palestinian civilians. This also spread and the accusations could be heard in every newsroom, governmental building, university campus, street protest, and in many churches. But is this true? Again, Salo Aizenberg analyzed the numbers. The total fatalities in Gaza per Hamas by September 24, 2025, was 65,400. From that number, you must subtract factors such as natural deaths and infant mortality and a few other factors. Eventually, you end up with 57,400. A horrific number, to be sure.
Of the 57,400, 24,000 were Gazan combatants killed by the IDF. That leaves 33,400 civilian fatalities, or collateral deaths. Thus, the civilian/combatant ratio is 1.39. This is one of the lowest in the history of warfare, particularly within an urban setting. The IDF did everything in its power to safeguard civilians who were being forced into the dangerous position of being human shields. Israel did not pick its battlefield, nor did it choose its enemyโs cowardly tactics. The only way to more effectively protect Gazan civilians would have been for the IDF to pack up, go home, and wait for the next massacre to take place.
Iran Cancels Agreement with the IAEA
Let me give you a second to catch your breath. I know the shock of that headline is great and your head is likely reeling. In a completely unexpected move, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iranโs National Security Council, has announced the cancellation of the agreement the nation made with the IAEA just last month. This deal was intended to allow access and monitoring of nuclear sites by the atomic energy watchdog. Truly did not see that coming.
