Yom Shnee
Monday
7 Elul 5784
September 9 2024
May Their Memories Be For A Blessing
The three Israeli men who were brutally gunned down at the Allenby Crossing yesterday:
L-r: Yuri Birnbaum (65), Yohanan Shchori (61), Adrian Marcelo Podzamczer (57).
Yuri, a resident of Moshav Na’ama and a father of three, immigrated to Israel from Russia in the 1990s.
Yochanan, the father of six, lived in Ma’aleh Ephraim for nearly 30 years and had been a member of the local council since 2013.
Adrian, a resident of Ariel, was remembered like this yesterday: “He was an amazing father, husband, and friend. A funny guy, loving, full of good intentions, he loved to help and be there for people, especially for his family and children. He grew up in Argentina where he met his ex-wife with whom he had four children. In 2003 he immigrated to Israel and lived most of his life in the Jordan Valley. He was a fair person, loved to help and care for his loved ones with his entire heart. He had been an actor in Argentina and performed as a clown and magician for children here in Israel.”
They were all shot to death at point blank range by a pistol-wielding truck driver. The terrorist (who shall remain unnamed here) was shot and killed by security personnel.
Two weeks ago, there was a warning of a possible attack at the Crossing, but apparently Israeli authorities did heed the warning. None of the Israelis was armed.
Meanwhile in Amman, there were wildly joyous celebrations complete with chants of praises for the terrorist, fireworks, and sweets given out in the streets:
Fireworks in Amman last night celebrating the murders.
More Horrific News About Six Murdered Hostages In Gaza
The IDF released information yesterday indicating that:
–the hostages were held in an extraordinarily small and narrow tunnel which had no light except for a small flashlight.
–there were no air vents in the tunnel so breathing must have been difficult.
–they showed a drastic weight lost–on average 36 kg. (more than 75 pounds).
Despite these horrific conditions, there is evidence that at the last moment, some of the hostages attempted to fight their barbaric captors.
On the Ground in Gaza
At 9:01 pm last night here in Ashdod, we heard the booms from missile intercepts just to the south of us in Ashkelon. This morning at 4:29 am more missiles targeted Netiv Ha’Asara.
The IDF announced yesterday that the commander of the HamISIS rocket launching group in eastern Khan Younis was killed.
Division 162 eliminated terrorists, located weapons, and raided terror targets.
Division 252 soldiers eliminated terror threats along the Netzarim Corridor.
On the Ground in the North
Again, more than 100 missiles and explosive drones were launched into northern Israel yesterday in 5 separate barrages. Already this morning, three more barrages have hit Manara, Kiryat Shmona, Beit Hillel, Kfar Giladi, Kfar Yuval, Ma’ayan Baruch, Metulla, and Tel Hai.
The IDF Spokesman:
“IAF planes and helicopters attacked during the night military buildings and a launcher of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the areas of Kfar Kila, A-Taiba, Hanin and Yarin in southern Lebanon. In addition, warplanes attacked a Hezbollah military structure in the Kharbat Salem region of southern Lebanon.”
On the Ground in Syria
There were major IAF attacks in Damascus, Homs, and Tartus last night. According to the Syrian media, 15 attacks targeted the research center of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Mozyaf. This was one of the largest attacks in Syria in some time.
On the Ground in Judea and Samaria
*A Palestinian terrorist tried to run over IDF soldiers on Mt. Hevron near Lahorsa. No soldiers were wounded; the terrorist was shot and killed.
*In an incomprehensible political and security cabinet meeting yesterday, the “security establishment” (read Shin Bet) opposed returning checkpoints to heavily traveled Palestinian roads in the area and closing crossings. You will remember that it was barely a week ago that three policemen were gunned down barely 1 hour after the Tarkimiyya Crossing was reopened.
It was also reported: “According to senior reserve and regular commanders, the IDF refrains from making arrests that the Shin Bet is requesting throughout Judea and Samaria, simply because it does not have enough prison facilities . . . The result is that many terrorists roam free simply because there are no places to lock them up.”
These terrorists are visible everywhere. Just last night, dozens of terrorists brandishing automatic weapons staged a celebration in Jenin following the conclusion of IDF operations there
Celebrations Of A Different Sort!
Amazing news!
Eight months ago, David Kostiner was horrifically wounded in Gaza when a piece of shrapnel pierced his neck and completely paralyzed him. During most of the time since then, he has been on a ventilator unable to breathe on his own. He could not speak, eat, or move.
Yesterday, his family issued this dramatic announcement:
“To all our friends and loved ones, to all those who worried and did not stop praying, to all those who worried and did not stop believing, we thank God and we are happy to announce the great miracle. David has returned to breathing on his own–completely off the ventilator– and has returned to talking, eating and drinking . . .
God willing, we have passed the first stage and but
there is still a long way ahead of him to recover the use of his whole body.
We are very grateful to everyone who prayed for him along with the rest of Israel’s patients for the entire time since he was wounded and ask for everyone to continue to pray that with God’s help he will be completely healed and return to us.
With great love,
The Kostiner family, Mitzpe Ramon”
On this happy note and asking for your continued prayers for
David ben Ziva,
we end today’s blog . . .
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.