Ceasefire?
Last evening, April 16, we heard that a ceasefire with Lebanon was scheduled to begin at midnight. Lebanon? Our fight has not been with Lebanon. Contrary to what the Pope and pundits like Tukker Quatarlson (according to news reports) say, Lebanon is not populated by a happily integrated Muslim-Christian population.
Lebanon is historically a Christian, west-facing country that was hijacked by Palestinian Muslim Arabs when they were expelled from Jordan in 1970-71 after having tried to overthrow that country’s government. In November 1969 the Lebanese government and Yassir Arafat had signed an agreement, called the Cairo Agreement, that protected the Palestinian enclaves and ceded virtually all control over them to Palestinian Muslim factions. The militant, anti-Israel Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) provided “security” while UNRWA provided “humanitarian” functions. That is,UNRWA provides the same anti-Israel education there that they did in Gaza and the parts of Judea and Samaria controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
In this agreement, these enclaves were guaranteed the right to continue to fight Israel.i
The situation between Hezbollah, an Iranian Shia Muslim group, and the Palestinians, primarily Sunni Muslim, is complicated and not relevant here. What is important here is that Lebanon, far from being happily integrated, is a historically Christian country that lived peacefully with Israel, but now contains a very large population of Muslims whose allegiance is not to Lebanon but rather to Palestinian expansionistii groups and within which violent anti-Israel education and behavior has been protected.
Between Announcement and Beginning of the Ceasefire
The question in our minds: if we have a ceasefire with Lebanon, does that include Hezbollah?
We do not know and are behaving, in our private lives, as though this calm is temporary: keeping children close, avoiding travel, and planning no gatherings too big for near-by shelters.
So far (10 AM on April 17) there has only been report of one missile attack from Hezbollah since the ceasefire began. That was at 2:17 am, and it appears to have been a false alarm.
Meanwhile, communities in northwestern Israel (maybe farther east too, I am writing about what I know first-hand) were rocked—literally shaken—by Israeli actions near the border. Rumors were that Israel was destroying empty buildings formerly held by Hezbollah. Whether the guns were closer to us than previously or because a strong wind carried the noise, the booms made the windows, as well as brains, rattle.
Sleep was impossible. Even with my windows and heavy exterior blinds lowered, the apartment was shaken by booms. My town’s English WhatsApp group was full of discussion about the scary noises. Thankfully, they ended at midnight, and since then we have had quiet.
The ceasefire with Iran is scheduled to expire in one more week. We hope—pray—that by then the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with have surrendered or been obliterated.
The Coming Weeks
Next week is Israel Memorial Day followed by Independence Day. Then comes Jerusalem Day, an Israeli national holiday celebrating the Six-Day War and Israel’s regaining control of the Holy City. It is celebrated on the Hebrew date of 28 Iyar. June 5, the date on the civil calendar, marks the 59th anniversary of the Six-Day War. (Two Jewish holidays, Lag b’Omer and Shavuoth also fall within these weeks.) This period is generally one of violence by Palestinians and their sympathizers against Israeli civilians and Jewish targets worldwide. Here’s what Gemini AI has to say about it.
Meanwhile, I have to stop writing and get ready for the Sabbath. Our Day of Rest comes whether we are at war or not.
i https://www.palquest.org/en/historictext/9625/cairo-agreement-between-lebanese-authorities-and-palestinian-guerrilla-organizations
ii “Expansionist” is my politically incorrect word. They tried to take over Jordan and they definitely want to exterminate Israel. And they never, throughout history, were their own nation or ruled another country. To me that definitely looks expansionist. Another word for “expansionist” is “colonialist.”
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As always, very enlightening! I did not get to read Iran War part 3 as it disappeared before I read it. I don't mean to say I enjoy reading these remarks and news of yours, but you are the only news I rely on! Very much appreciated. Still hope to visit Israel and middle east before I die!! Much love to you, Hanna!