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GAZA WAR DIARY: 9 OCTOBER 2024

Well it was just one of those typical days for us here in Israel. Got to the pool parking lot at 8:25 for my 8:40 class, and the air raid siren went off. There was no possible way of getting to a shelter in time. We pondered our dilemma for a second. “Let’s get out of the car and lay face down on the ground with our arms around our heads, like they say,” I suggested, inspired by the sight of two women nearby who were doing exactly that. Luckily, I had my backpack so I could lay on top of that without my knees scraping.

My husband, who is in his late seventies, had a bit of a problem getting down and then getting up, but hey, Hezbollah isn’t choosy when it comes to civilian targets.

Unlike the IDF who never fires into civilians unless there is a terrorist threat embedded among them, Hezbollah isn’t so finicky. So, I lay there until I heard the two requisite “booms” and then got up. There, above me in the sky, was the spreading white cloud of the debris. I dusted myself off, checked on my husband and then proceeded to walk to the pool. The teacher, lovely Leah whom we all adore, with her vast energy, infectious smile and killer dimples, was a little late because she’d been in the bomb shelter. But then we had our class, dancing to Stayin’ Alive, Grease, She’s a Maniac… You get the picture. I danced. I’m actually getting used to this. The last time this happened, I went straight home. Now, it feels almost normal.

Later, I went to the post office to mail in my ballot for the election. I’m not going to hide that I voted Republican all the way, not that it will make much difference in New York. I just read somewhere (I think it was the New York Post) that the reason all the billionaire Democrat kingmakers are backing Kamala is that they are terrified Trump will release all the names in Epstein’s little black book if he becomes president. Just sayin’.

Then we decided to do our weekly grocery shopping. So we headed for the big mall in Hadera which has many shops and a mega supermarket. On the way, I checked the news, which is normal for me to do every half-hour. And what do I read? There was a terrorist attack in Hadera! Just as we were driving there! Some Jihadi maniac going around stabbing people in the street, going from street to street in a motorcycle until a security guard finally shot him in the leg. Why not in the head? I ask you. Four different locations. Six stabbing victims, one critical, one serious, and four moderate. Turns out, it was some Israeli Arab from Umm al-Fahm, a Palestinian town. This is the second terror attack by an Israeli Arab, both of them criminals known to the police.

What are we going to do about this, I ask you? Not so simple. You can’t throw the whole family out of the country as a deterrent. That wouldn’t be “democratic.” So how are we going to stop them?

In the meantime, the IDF is going after the non-Israeli Arabs in Judea and Samaria, who threaten our population centers. In an act of astonishing bravery, Israeli commandos drove right into the heart of Nablus, blocked a car carrying wanted terrorists Assam a-Salaj, commander of the Balata RC battalion, and Abd a-Sarfandi, commander of the Askar RC battalion, and two helpers. At close range and in broad daylight, they shot the car up with a hail of bullets. So brave. Such heroes. And yet the Palestinians are calling it: “a cowardly assassination.”

That’s rich! Any Fakestinian who supported October 7 isn’t allowed to use the words: “act of cowardice” in reference to anyone except themselves, the ultimate cowards. Even today in Iran you will see posters extolling “The Flood” which they feel “restored their pride.” The only victory the so-called “Resistance” can point to are the deaths of 1,200 unarmed men, women and children in their homes and participating in a peaceful music festival, who were set upon by armed terrorists and brutally slaughtered for no reason at all. The “Resistance’s” success in military combat with Jews who are armed and ready is quite another story altogether. Israel estimates it’s killed at least 17,000 terrorists in Gaza so far. They run like cornered roaches in any battle.

Hezbollah, taking a page from the “heroes” in Gaza, are also hiding inside centers set up for Lebanese refugees, especially in the Baalbek area. According to Lebanese sources, the civilians are complaining about the presence of militants nearby (apparently fearing an Israeli attack).

A big problem with the war in Gaza is that “humanitarian” areas are infiltrated by terrorists, who then shoot at Israel from amongst the refugees. Because of this, Israel is forced to keep taking the same territory again and again. To filter out the terrorists, the IDF is trying something new. Sources from Gaza report that the IDF has begun constructing earth berms around the Jabaliya Refugee Camp to prevent residents from fleeing westward or northward. Additionally, according to Gazan sources, a checkpoint has been established along Salah a-Din Road through which the IDF is attempting to direct the population southward. According to the Gazan reports, the IDF is using cameras, drones, and control systems, and is preventing movement into restricted areas with gunfire.

Let’s hope this works.

The entrance of aid trucks to Gaza is a great source of income to Hamas. According to Abu Ali, numerous Gazan sources report that yesterday, 42 out of the 45 cargo and aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip through the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing near Rafah were hijacked. The trucks were traveling along the Salah a-Din route from south to north and were robbed in an organized manner and on a particularly large scale.

Gazans claim there is only one entity capable of carrying out such a large-scale truck robbery: Hamas.

According to Gazan sources, Hamas needs to pay its operatives and new recruits their monthly salaries in the coming days to prevent discontent (there are difficulties with cash flow), and the goods from the trucks are effectively the salaries of the operatives. Let’s hope this new IDF initiative puts a dent in that con.

IDF Spokesperson: IDF soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade located an arms warehouse 7 meters underground in one of the villages in southern Lebanon, where they are operating.

Oh yes, before I forget. My grandson is back in Lebanon with his unit. I guess I’ll end my day worrying about him, and praying for his safety.

 May God watch over him.

Another day in the life of a typical Israeli.


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9 comments on “GAZA WAR DIARY: 9 OCTOBER 2024”

  1. Gig Berkowitz

    Naomi, maybe a typical day in the life of an Israeli is a bit more on point. Now, for over a year the only thing we can count on is more rockets, more Arab violence and more success stories from the IDF. I am anxious to find out, as is all of Israel, where is Sinwar? The slug hasn’t been seen or heard of for a while and if he’s no longer a viable entity, then who’s running the subterranean show? Maybe it’s time to resume the tunnel bombing in southern Gaza as an anniversary present to Hamas. They (the IDF) need to punish them often, and without mercy.
    While my grandson represents my skin in the game, I think it’s time to finish the suffering of the hostages, world displeasure be damned. A relentless attack on all 4 fronts by the IDF, starting with the removal of the nuclear threat. It’s one person’s opinion but on the mind of millions.

  2. Guy

    1. Some idiot was interviewed about the Hedera mascare and refered to the murderer
    as the “gentleman”
    2. Please do not refer to Um-El-Pham as palestine. It’s a city or village
    populated by moslems, arabs who live in Israel.
    3. If Hamas has money shortage they should ask Netanyhou to bring a suitcase
    with cash..

  3. golda

    I just read something horrible. Of the save ( returned ) hostages, 50 have taken their own lives.
    Please tell me that isn’t true!

  4. Sylvia

    Dear Naomi,
    Thank you for giving your perspective. You are able to put in words what many of us feel.
    Your husband and you should not have to need to go to bombshelters nor hit the ground to try to keep yourself safe. Just that is a crime to humanity ! But others prefer to blame and call out Israel for crimes, I ask Crimes?? What crimes??
    Only when Jews defend themselves is it called a crime. Normbesef would call it self defense.

    Dear Golda,
    Your words are also golden.
    Amen & Omein

  5. Carol Wandner

    I pray for you to find some measure of comfort knowing you are in our thoughts We hope somehow Hashem will give Israel the strength to win such a war that the nation must win Last night I watched a film WE WILL DANCE AGAIN….my niece has started an online support group I’m Jewish and I’m losing my shit….she has thousands of people now supporting each other So proud of Michelle Shamush on FB Shana Tovah Umeteka

  6. Ellen Calderon

    You have quite a day in your life please be careful. I live in south Florida and waiting for the hurricane to pass so my day is a little different too.

  7. Sara

    I think of you Naomi while I’m in my aqua-fit class. I can’t imagine what it would be like and I say two prayers, one for you and the people of Israel and one of gratitude that I feel safe. As safe as I feel tho, I still do not feel like part of a community. I now go to aqua-fit in the morning as opposed to seniors swim…I discovered a family change room where I don’t have to listen to chatter…still afraid of judgmental rhetoric. If I dare mention my alliance with Trump and the middle east-whoah! I am verbally shot down. I don’t care. I have spent hundreds of hours educating my self on feo politics and I know what the world looks like with a democratic government. Listen Canada is revolting right now too…with a Prime Minister who supports terrorism. We have to wait another year for that to change. I’ve come to understand that people are very attached to their causes…so be it. I’m attached to mine as well which is knowing and sharing the truth. Please be careful Naomi and prayers for the safety of your grandson.

  8. golda

    Amen, may G-d watch over all of the IDF defenders of our country Israel.
    And a solution to terrorists once killed; their extended families should be
    expelled to other muslim countries, or let it be known , if they are not accepted said families will be driven into the desert. Screw democracy!
    democracy has done nothing to keep Israeli kids alive, nor has it help parent raise kids into adulthood.
    and never, never, let there be a land for peace project.
    that premise has not done Israel much good, has it?.
    let it be know, that any lands where terrorists exist and have been eliminated, will be taken by force, its residents expelled or killed, and the land becomes a part of Israel.
    NO MORE LAND FOR PEACE ,
    IT HAS NEVER WORKED,
    NEVER WILL WORK

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