AFTER THE WAR

Ceased Fire was called and it took a night of 20 rockets shelling the south of Israel without a return fire from the Israeli side, before it was in effect.

From a citizen point of view, one who did not feel any of the rockets nor heard any of the sirens, this war was rather confusing.

- We heard different numbers of casualties. It seems to settled on 2 soldiers, 3 civilians and a wounded baby, then the blown bus in Tel Aviv added to these numbers considerably. I am not sure of the final total of causalities on the Israeli side at this point.

- First 10,000 reservists were called to join the war. Then 75,000 were on call and had to wait for final orders. Then 60,000 were mobilized but out of them, 110% came – so the 60,000 brought with them friends to arms. Whatever the final number was mobilized, they lacked ammunition, uniforms and food. Many of them waited in specific meeting areas for orders but returned home without going anywhere since the war was over.

- The cease fire was not what the people wanted nor what they felt was promised to them. The leaders promised to hit the major areas of where the rockets came from and to stop once and for all the constant shelling from Gaza. 12 years were enough. That did not seem to happened. These leaders might loose a few votes by January when the next election will take place.

On the TV news tonight, Nassrala came out of his bunker where he had been hiding for over 4 years to encourage the people of Gaza to continue and kill the Zionists. He went on saying that they won this war and brought down 7 Israeli airplanes during last week. Until he said it, I had no idea we had that many planes. From what we are told, none of our planes were hit.

As response to his speech, Palestinians stormed the border fence in Gaza and were warned by the Israeli soldiers to get back. Shots were fired, one person was wounded, and Egypt leaders were angry and shouted some words in Arabic. Hamas responded and took over the area on the side of Gaze and made sure that the peace is kept by the Palestinians. The people who stormed the border are now accusing the Hamas of changing sides and becoming Israeli agents. Hamas continues to patrol the fence.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the courts are accusing the government of illegally using the system and taking control of the courts with the army. Egypt saw many bloody riots, today and in the last few months, between various factions . Christians are being slaughters in Egypt and blood flaws as it does in Syria where their inside war continues as well.

In Israel, half of the members of a southern kibbutz near the Gaza fence, left during the war to a northern kibbutz near the Kinneret. They returned home yesterday. That was a special hosting effort extended by the members of the northern Kibbutz. Years before, they too suffered from a constant shelling by the Syrians, and their children lived underground for three years. The 240 kibbutz members reunited and will continue to rebuild and live near the Gaza border.

In Sderot, a small house that was badly hit was renovated and transformed into a villa right before our eyes. For the Safe Room a special bunk bed was made that can sleep three, and the walls were covered with happy pictures. The kitchen become a place of art and the demolished walls were erected. The back yard was filled with plants, lights and sitting areas - a joy outdoors. What a great gift to a family who suffered so much for so long in that southern city.

The Kinneret, Sea of Galilee, is high or as the newscaster announced, “it never had it so good”. Good news are always welcomed here. The storms continue and the rain is pouring tonight here in the northern part of Israel.

Otherwise, it is a peaceful night and all is well in our world.

Blessings everyone, 
Shalom from Israel -  Orith