There are limits to Israel’s patience. The Jewish state has exhibited unfathomable restraint in its response to the 10/7 Massacre: they’ve tried peace talks, amnesty for terrorists, bribes and every other “carrot” conceivable. But none of that is what Hamas wants; they want to kill Jews and die in the process.

Operation Gideon’s Chariots

After more than 550 days of horror, of her people held in captivity and no end to Hamas’s efforts to kill innocent people, the Israeli military has launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots. In the lead up to the ground offensive, the IDF hit more than 670 Hamas targets, including the hideout of Mohammed Sinwar, himself an orchestrator of the 10/7 Massacre and brother of deceased 10/7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar.

In the coming days, the IDF will likely take over large, key areas in northern Gaza (from where Hamas likes to launch rockets) and southern Gaza (from where Hamas smuggles weapons). In addition, Israel will also likely create additional east-west corridors across Gaza in order to restrict the terrorists’ ability to move, coordinate, and attack.

As Israel began this maneuver, Jerusalem resumed certain transfers of humanitarian goods to flow. The transfers had stopped both because Hamas was stealing the goods, and because the mechanism for distribution was flawed to the point of absurdity.

Unfortunately, that method has not changed, but due to pressure from the United States, Israel felt compelled to resume allowing the transfers in conjunction with their widening operation to put an end to Hamas once and for all.

In the end, after more than 550 days of horror, of her people held in captivity and Hamas’ refusal to capitulate, Israel’s offensive military operations are the only option left for pressuring Hamas into a deal.

Ceasefire

There are still 58 hostages being held in Gaza by Palestinian terrorists. Every week, if not every day, we read new information about the potential for a ceasefire agreement. The ebb and flow of this news is painful not just for those of us with a conscience, but for those who endured captivity and have now been released and/or whose loved ones remain in Palestinian dungeons and torture chambers. For them hope is eternal, but hope dashed destroys them all over again.

We will not bother regurgitating the details of the last hour's or even day’s news. Yes, there are negotiations again in Qatar. And,  yes, different numbers of hostages and ceasefire parameters are again being thrown around. But save and except the introduction of Israel’s significant ground operation, we are not optimistic that this negotiation is terribly different from all others.

With the leadership of Hamas decimated, and middle management largely all that’s left, at this point, the best the remaining option Palestinian terrorists can hope for is escaping with their lives, provided they:

1.      Release all hostages,

2.      Disarm completely,

3.      Go into exile outside of the borders of the Holy Land.

Those are the terms. And the alternative is the methodical elimination of every Gazan rapist, murderer and/or terrorist.

The Islamic Republic of Iran

Perhaps one of the most endearing elements of the Persian culture is how warm and inviting the people of Iran truly are. Look at photos and videos from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and one sees a marvelous modern society with love and room for all.

Today, the Islamic Republic is led by the same death cult mentality that cuts through every facet of Hamas’ existence. This should inform all engagements, be they diplomatic, economic or military, with Tehran.

We were very pleased to see that the Trump administration, after some initial mixed messaging, has said and continues to say, as a whole of government, that any Iranian nuclear enrichment is a red line they will not allow to be crossed.

This said, reports and social media chatter out of the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran often refer to the proposed deal as simply “JCPOA 2.0” – a derogatory reference to President Obama’s disastrous Iran nuclear deal.

We do not believe that, like his predecessors, President Trump will allow himself to be “played like a fiddle,” as CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee said just a couple of weeks ago in Jerusalem of Presidents Biden and Obama.

Nonetheless, we understand the history of Western leaders being charmed by Persian (and Arab) leaders. Moreover, we understand that if the nuclear issue is compartmentalized, and Iran’s support for terror and human rights abuses is not also addressed, then ultimately, all another deal will have done is buy more time for Iran to develop its imperial ambitions and the associated weapons. In other words, such a deal would earn the aforementioned derogatory moniker.  

The President of the United States, understandably, likes big moves and big deals. Some things are indeed beneath his office. As such, we urge the President to look at Iran as an opportunity for a huge deal. A deal of the century for the Middle East. One in which the region’s and the world’s leading state sponsor of terror either ends its obsession with terror and hate or falls beneath the crushing weight of the Iranian people’s justified outrage.

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund Team