Yom Shabbat
Saturday
16 Sivan 5784
June 22 2024
UPDATE 7:00 AM Israel Time
The View from Here in Ashdod
During the last two days and nights here in Ashdod, we have heard continuous booms (aka explosions) coming from Gaza. This is apparently the result of the IDF closing in on central Rafah. Yesterday at 4 am, we were awakened by intense gunfire on the beach in front of our house. Our immediate concern was an infiltration attempt from the sea–however, no mention of this was made by local or national security authorities.
On the Ground in the North
The last few days have seen a steady drumbeat toward war with Hezbollah. Threats from Hassan Nasrallah have been met with threats from Defense Minister Gallant. Yesterday, security officials warned that Hezbollah may be about to launch a broad strike. Apparently, numerous countries have recalled their diplomatic delegations from Beirut fearing an imminent attack by Israel.
For what it is worth, the Biden Administration has seemingly informed Israel that should a full-scale war break out with Hezbollah, the U.S. will support Israel.
Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesman issued this statement yesterday:
“Fighter planes and aircraft of the Air Force attacked targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization throughout the day in four different areas in southern Lebanon. Among the targets that were attacked, a military structure of Hezbollah in the Al-Khyam area, a military position of the organization in Mis al-Jabal and terrorist infrastructures of the organization in the areas of A-Taiba and Talusa in southern Lebanon.”
On the Ground in Judea and Samaria
*A joint announcement by the Israel Police, Shin Bet, and IDF:
IAF aircraft apparently struck a weapons convoy from Iran to Lebanon last night on the Syrian-Iraq border on the Syrian side near al-Bukhmal.
And so it goes on this Shabbat morning. We here at OneIsrael wish our soldiers and you dear readers Shabbat Shalom.
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.