It has been a wild week in Israel ever since the military launched Operation Home and Garden to end the northern Samarian city of Jenin’s role as a terrorist sanctuary. The action began on July 2 with drones attacking from the air, while more than 100 military vehicles rolled into the area. Explosive laboratories were destroyed, munitions were blown up or confiscated, headquarters and hideouts were demolished, and 13 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders were killed.

The great success of the operation could largely be attributed to the fact that the terrorists weren’t expecting this strong of an attack. Under the previous “government of change”, these violent extremists began to feel comfortable and safe. But there’s a new sheriff in town, who just happens to be an old sheriff. Toward the beginning of Operation Home and Garden, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will hit terrorists everywhere and at any time. The equation has changed. Those who didn’t understand it two months ago will understand it in the coming days.” I’m guessing that the message was received loud and clear.

Those of you who have read either of my two novels, Operation Joktan and By Way of Deception, will be familiar with the old Talmudic adage, “If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.” Operation Home and Garden was Netanyahu and the military rising up and killing those terrorists who were determined to continue their heinous attacks on innocent Israeli civilians.

Sadly, when five rockets were fired from Gaza after the conclusion of the operation, it gave proof that these jihadists have not yet learned their lesson. Then, that same day, a 20-year-old Palestinian terrorist ran a car into pedestrians, then jumped out and began to stab people. By the time he was put down, he had wounded seven. The jihadists just seem determined to learn the hard way. What Netanyahu and company have showed us these past days is that they are fully prepared to bring school into session and give Hamas and Islamic Jihad as many lessons as are needed for them to finally get the point.

Israeli Woman Kidnapped in Iraq

A Princeton University doctoral student who holds both Israeli and Russian citizenship was kidnapped by Shi’ite Iraqi Hezbollah brigades back in March. Elizabeth Tsurkov, a well-respected expert on terrorist groups and the Middle East, was in Iraq to research her doctorate when she was abducted from the Kurdish portion of Baghdad. Prime Minister Netanyahu admitted to knowing little more about Tsurkov’s current situation other than that she is alive and currently she is safe. He also made it clear that he holds Iraq responsible for ensuring that her safety continues. In the past, Tsurkov tweeted that she agreed with Israel’s policy against making deals for prisoners.

Mossad Interrogates Would-Be Assassin in Iran

In a daring operation, the Mossad found and interrogated would-be assassin of Israeli businessmen, Yousef Shahbazi Abbasalilo, in his home country of Iran. Abbasalilo was one of a team of terrorists tasked with tracking down and murdering Israeli citizens on the island of Cyprus. After following his target for a time without finding an opportune time to pull the trigger, the Iranian operative was forced to flee to his home country when the Cypriot government got wind of the plot. That is when the Israeli spy agency caught up with the man. In a recently published video interrogation, Abbasalilo lays out the plot in detail and admits to his participation. It is not known what the fate of the failed assassin currently is.

Tent Battle Along Lebanese/Israeli Border

Last month, two tents were set up by Hezbollah in Israeli territory in the Mount Dov area along the Lebanon/Israel border. The area was acquired by Israel from Syria during the Six Day War in 1967, but Lebanon claims that the land belongs to them. The tents were erected in an obvious provocation toward military conflict, and it seemed that it was close to achieving its desired effect. Then, Sunday, Hezbollah moved one of the tents out of the disputed area. Now, the UN’s UNIFIL peacekeeping force is getting involved by moderating the escalating tensions.

France Burns Over Police Shooting

On the night of June 27, a 17-year-old Algerian delivery driver was shot by police. The death of Naher Merzouk in a Paris suburb set off a series of very violent and destructive protests amongst many within France’s Muslim population that makes up 15% of the total. Public buildings were set on fire, shops were looted, cars were burned, and law enforcement was attacked. The riots quickly spread to dozens of cities within the country, and eventually made their way to Belgium and Switzerland. The blame French President Emmanuel Macron placed on “video games, social networks, and bad parenting” didn’t sit well with many, nor did his seeming inactivity. Rumors began to swirl that the military was ready to remove the president and take control if Macron did not move decisively enough. Despite the violence beginning to calm, France is preparing to take a financial hit. Beyond the cost of the damages, tourism is expected to wane due to people reconsidering travel to a country that is becoming a cultural battleground.

Wagner Group Systematically Dismantled

Following its failed coup attempt, the Russian mercenary Wagner Group is being dismantled. All weapons and equipment are being seized by the Russian military, while the civilian army’s membership is being “invited” to join the Russian ranks. Former head of the mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was last rumored to have been on a plane to Minsk, Belarus, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

Ukraine Warns about Possible Russian Nuclear False Flag

Russia is placing explosives around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant possibly in preparation for a false flag attack, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Surveillance photos show what appear to be explosive devices on the third and fourth production units on Europe’s second-largest nuclear facility. Moscow, in turn, is accusing Kyiv of preparing for the same trick. Zelenskyy, however, is adamant, saying, “The world sees – can’t but see – that the only source of danger to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is Russia and no one else.”