Chronicles of an Endless War
October 2023 – January 2025 :
Our hearts are broken once again. How much more blood must be spilled? The rumors begin hours before the official announcement is made, naming the latest casualties in the war. If only we could take comfort in the thought that, in their death, these soldiers have bequeathed us life, or total victory. But our doubts persist.
Why did they die? What purpose did their deaths serve? We began the war knowing it was a just fight, critical for our national survival, the eradication of terror. But now? What are we really fighting for? What are we sacrificing the best among our children for? How many times will our troops return to operate in Jabaliya? There will always be more terrorists there and more rocket launchers.
The Gaza population numbers over two million, 500,000 of them men of fighting age. If only 100 join the terror forces each week, there would be more terrorists fighting our troops than the week before. The despair in the Strip brings even those who hate Hamas to consider joining its fight. So, what is it we are doing there?
[…] What is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for? We’ve reached a stage where with every day of fighting, we cause more damage than good. What are the soldiers dying for?
[…] Fortitude of a nation depends on motivation, faith in the military, economic and political leadership and the belief in a joint cause, as well as the shared load among all Israelis. None of that exists now. The fallen, the dying hostages still held in Gaza and the reemergence of Hamas are all detrimental to our fortitude.
We are fine with the demand to give our blood, sweat and tears, but only when we have faith in the cause. That is diminishing with every passing day as the direction we are heading in becomes less clear.
Ben-Dror Yemini, Casualties of war are devastating to confused nation, YNet News, January 12, 2025