“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed.” (Isaiah 54:10) The beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah were intended to guide the first International Pro-Israel Summit organized by the Center for Fundamental Rights in Budapest this fall. But Israel's peace was brutally shattered on October 7th, 48 hours before the event. That day of infamy brought suffering, fear and pain to Israel and left people of good will in shock and dismay. The events that have unfolded since have brought some clarity. How each actor behaved in the aftermath of this brutal pogrom reveals a lot, and will determine the judgment of history.
The potential hostage deal in the southern Gaza Strip marks a crucial phase in the ongoing campaign, emphasizing the need for a sustained and strategic approach. The deal, which is likely to involve a ceasefire and substantial costs to Israel such as the release of prisoners and perhaps even money for aid, is vital for addressing the persistent terrorist infrastructure in the region. The goal remains clear: the complete dismantlement of all terrorist organizations, not just Hamas operating in southern Gaza and a complete demilitirization of the Strip.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are increasingly compelled to intensify their operations against Hezbollah, a Shiite terrorist group based in Lebanon. The recent surge in hostilities on the northern border of Israel, culminating in an attack that left dozens of Israelis injured due to anti-tank fire, underscores a significant escalation in Hezbollah's aggressive actions. It appears that Israel may soon need to revise its approach towards countering Hezbollah in light of these recent developments.
Ismail Haniyeh's life and political career have been marked by a number of significant events. Born in 1962 in the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, he hails from a family that originally fled from the village of Al-Jura near Ashkelon. His early life was shaped by the challenges of growing up without his father, who passed away during his childhood. Unfortunately, there isn't much information available about his mother's origins.