At about 5 AM (local time) the Israeli Air Force launched a preemptive attack on some 40 launch sites operated by Hezbollah in Lebanon.  The strike resulted in the destruction of over 6000 missiles before they could e fired on Israeli targets. Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv was shut down for about 2 hours. … More Gaza War 25 Aug

The Democratic Convention surprised me. Instead of a platform for the “Free Palestine” groups they featured the parents of a Hamas kidnap victim. The response was loud and effective (but only for the crowd in the hall, Hamas remained unmoved and has not made serious progress towards a deal). The important message was that the … More Gaza War 23 Aug

Iran closed its space again (4th time!) some think this is a sign of an imminent attack. But after 3 false starts, it looks more like another psychological warfare game more than like a real attack. Either way, the IDF alert hasn’t been lowered. As of the time I’m writing this the DNC still hasn’t … More Gaza War 22 Aug

The Democratic Convention in Chicago has taken over most of the news cycle. It’s not like there is anything newsworthy there. It’s all a big dog and pony show to gain support for a candidate who is avoiding interviews and doesn’t say anything of substance about policy. We did get a pep talk speech from … More Gaza War 21 Aug

While American Secretary of State Blinken is telling the world that Israel is accepting the terms the US proposed for a hostage deal and urging Hamas to do the same, the IDF has recovered 6 more bodies of people kidnapped in October. The bodies have been identified, and the families notified. Despite the official list … More Gaza War 20 Aug

US Secretary of State Blinken is back in Israel to pressure Netanyahu for more concessions in order to get a cease-fire. Nobody seems to understand that neither side is prepared to accept conditions that amount to a victory for their opponents (and no one really pushes Hamas leader Sinwar, because no one has any real … More Gaza War 19 Aug

Last Thursday I aimed some barbs at part of the Israeli ultra-orthodox community. Those words need a little clarification. I have no complaints against individual ultra-orthodox community members who do not wish to serve in the IDF. They will bear the possible consequences (potential imprisonment, loss of government subsidy payments for themselves and the yeshiva … More Gaza War 18 Aug

Hezbollah played another card in the deterrence game. They released a video showing their underground missile arsenal and launch positions.  They even enumerated (in Arabic) the names of the villages where they are located. I’m sure Israeli intelligence already knows about all of the, and I’m equally sure they will be rechecking all of them. … More Gaza War 16 Aug

Today was yet another day of threats and bluster.  No real progress toward a deal, and no real major attack.  The important story behind the headlines seemed to me the decision by the IDF to double the number of ultra-orthodox yeshivas in what is called the “Hesder” program.  Hesder is an arrangement where the students … More Gaza War 15 Aug

The US envoy is still trying to get everyone to agree to meet in order to get to a cease-fire. America seems to think that’s the first step to a magical 2 state solution that leaves everyone with the fairy tale ending of living happily ever after. If only it were=e true!  But Hamas (now … More Gaza War 14 Aug