Continue of Core of Jewish People Part VI

 Nadene Goldfoot                            

                             The old City of Jerusalem

October 7, 2023 was an attack by the Hamas-led Palestinian planned about 3 years earlier that was a complete surprise to the Jews living along the borders of Gaza.  They plunged in and slaughtered the population in such gross ways that it will be remembered within the soul of all Israelis forever and more.       

• Following the October 7th attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 people (mostly Israeli civilians) and resulted in the taking of around 250 hostages, Israel formally declared war against Hamas.  Israel initiated a "complete siege" of Gaza, cutting off essential supplies, followed by airstrikes and a ground invasion.  Over a million Palestinian civilians were ordered to evacuate northern Gaza ahead of the ground invasion. 

• The conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  Hamas uses food as ammunition against Israel, stealing food from trucks brought in full of food, then selling it to its own people at high prices, made sure Hamas was fed, not citizens;  shooting own people to keep them away from trucks, use pictures of propaganda showing starving children or setting up actual scenes for photographers showing how people were hysterical, All the while Israel and USA were trying in different ways to fool them and bring in food.  Much has gone to waste due to their lies.  .  
  

Ceasefires and negotiations

• On November 2023, a temporary truce led to a limited exchange of hostages and prisoners and increased humanitarian aid, but hostilities resumed.        Lebanon's Hezbollah  army and Yemen's Houthi   
• The conflict has escalated regional tensions, with attacks and skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting shipping in the Red Sea, and other Iran-backed groups attacking US military positions.                       
•                                              Attacking Iran
• Israel and Iran have exchanged direct strikes.
• By November 2024, a ceasefire agreement was announced between Israel and Hezbollah in . The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing allegations of genocide against Israel brought by South Africa.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has applied for arrest warrants against top Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.  The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions calling for pauses in the fighting, the release of hostages, and increased aid. 
• By January 2025, a second ceasefire and hostage release deal were announced, but Israel renewed its offensive in March. Firing rockets: Hamas and other militant groups have repeatedly violated ceasefires by launching rockets and shells into Israel, according to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Rejecting or violating humanitarian lulls: In some instances, Hamas rejected or violated humanitarian ceasefires or windows for aid delivery.Attacks on IDF forces: Hamas also violated a ceasefire by launching an attack on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.
• Refusing to release hostages: Israel and the Trump administration have blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities by citing their refusal to release more hostages in exchange for continued talks on a lasting truce. 

•  As of August 8, 2025, and adding many to their count,  over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 144,000 injured, according to OCHA (based on Gaza Ministry of Health statistics).  Over 90% of homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, displacing most of the population, according to the IRC.  The UN reports that almost half of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functional, understaffed, lacking supplies, and overwhelmed.  More than two million Palestinians lack sufficient access to water, food, and medical care.  Reports of famine and disease outbreaks, including polio, have emerged.
• The UN Human Rights Office has documented numerous attacks on schools, designated humanitarian zones, healthcare workers, and journalists.                 

• Yes, the emblem of the tribe of Judah is a lion. In the Bible, particularly in Genesis, Jacob refers to his son Judah as a "young lion". This imagery became associated with the tribe of Judah and is a symbol of strength, royalty, and leadership. The Lion of Judah is a prominent symbol in Jewish tradition and culture, representing the tribe's significance and lineage, especially in relation to kings like David and Solomon. 
  

June 13, 2025  and Operation Rising Lion of Israel was underway.  Operation Rising Lion was the name of a large-scale military operation launched by Israel against Iran, who are using Hamas like an octopus uses its arms.  The name "Rising Lion" (or "Am K'lavi" in Hebrew, which translates to "a people like a lion") evokes imagery of Israel as a powerful and determined force defending itself. The imagery also echoes the former emblem of Iran (a lion and sun that appeared on flags before 1979) and serves as a message directed at Iranian leadership. Some commentators also link the name to the biblical Book of Numbers, specifically a verse that describes the people of Israel rising up like a lion. , like Judah is pictured in our minds:  The tribe of Judah remained of the 12 tribes, 

• International Reactions: The strikes drew condemnation from some states and sparked debate among international legal experts regarding their legality under international law.Response: Iran responded by launching drones and missiles towards Israel, causing casualties and damage.Allied Support: The United States conducted supporting attacks on Iranian facilities following Israel's initial strikes.
• The months of July and August 2025 have seen a dangerous escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, marked by intensifying military action, a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza even though many speakers have explained to the world how Israel is feeding, not keeping food out of Gazans mouths, , and rising international condemnation of Israel's lied-about policies since they are swallowing it hook, line and sinker. They'd put their faith in the lying terrorists who started the war on October 7, 2023 and even took hostages they refuse to return but are aiming to take overall of Israel.  
• Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to expand military operations and take control of Gaza City, a move opposed by Israel's military chief and deemed a "dangerous escalation" by the UN.  Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the plan as necessary to defeat Hamas and ensure Israeli security, despite warnings about its humanitarian consequences.  (For the 1st time in history, Israel is held responsible in feeding their enemy which would possibly allow the enemy to overtake them !!!)  No one wants to see that the responsibility lies in the Hamas governing power who were the leaders of Gaza.  The plan includes a phased evacuation of Gaza City residents by October 7th and the establishment of "humanitarian islands" to house them, according to CNN.  Netanyahu said, "“Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily,” he said. “This is how we bring the war to an end.”  Also, Trump has added his pressure on Netanyahu's shoulders by telling him to end the war now.  
• In retrospect, our core is LIFE;  to believe in life, ours and others,  in our secular life as well as our religious life which has created our core.  Though one may not show it by attending synagogue, it's there, in one's core values, 99.9% of the time.  It will show up, somehow.  
• We are, it seems, always fighting people of other values, in this case, Islam which has an opposite idea of death by being rewarded for their fights with 72 virgins awaiting their favors.   They do not value life.  How can one create an environment of peace ?  
  
  
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