SWORDS OF IRON WAR - 49th Day

FRIDAY                        24.11.2023

There are days when survival takes over and one simply shuts down inside. I think that yesterday was such a day.

I know that I simply functioned. I continued my liquid fast till the evening. I followed the schedule in my calendar and did not think or feel at all. Too many emotions, too much conflicting information, and too many possible outcomes just whirled around me and I had to block it all in an attempt of self-preservation. Hence, no blogging.

Today, things did not change. Just more of the same. I'm eating now, whatever does not need cooking. No energy to stand in the kitchen.

Today, we are waiting to see how the respite time agreed upon is working. At 07:15 shots were fired at Israel. Expected. They never honoured agreements to the letter. Their leader encouraged the Israeli Muslims to start protesting after they finished their holy Friday prayers in the Mosques. In Gaza, the Hamas told the civilians to leave the south and return to the North, while our soldiers had to keep them away from doing it – too dangerous. So the war continues on a different level, different venues, more psychological, more tiring; they wear us down.

It is 3 minutes to 16:00. At 4pm 13 hostages suppose to come home. First it was 100, then 50 then 14 a day, but today 13 are promised.

I'm almost holding my breath; cannot imagine how the families are feeling. The anxiety level is so high, even here in the North, it must be touchable in the Gaza area. Egypt notified that with the 13 Israelis, 12 Thais would be freed as well. Maybe they'll free the woman who gave birth in Gaza.

Belgium and Spain politicians are at the Rapha Crossing giving press conferences and demanding a complete cease-fire. They were not part of the negotiation. What are they doing there?

My prayer partners share live links of those who wait outside the prisons to pick up the Palestinians to free them later after the hostages come home. I found a link to the area where the 13 are coming into the Red Cross in the hospital in Han-Unis...Humanitarian trucks at Rapha Crossings... it is getting dark... Shabbat is in but the hostages? The announcer sees a bus and does not know what it is...camera moves about... he admits to being confused...

My husband passed by my desk mumbling,

“Mmm...You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

I think, kol akiva le'-tova = every delay is for the best... I think I'll turn off the computer soon and go praying. I believe that God is watching and knowing way more than I do and able to deal with it all...

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Shabbat Shalom