IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH

In a span of three days last week the full and unrelenting depth of Hamas’s depravity was once again displayed for all the world to see. On Thursday, the remains of Kfir Bibas (9 months at abduction), Ariel Bibas (4 years at abduction), and Oded Lifshitz (83 at abduction) were returned to Israel.

In addition, Gaza’s terrorists delivered to Israel the body of an unidentified woman, claiming the deceased was Kfir and Ariel’s mother Shiri. The Israeli authorities discovered the remains were not who the terrorists claimed, and, eventually, were able to secure the release of Shiri Bibas’s mortal remains. According to Israeli authorities, Shiri and her children were “brutally” murdered.

May the memories of these precious souls, and all those of the House of Israel martyred by Gaza’s barbarians, be a blessing.

We must bear witness to the horrors, but we must also remember the Bibas boys dressed in their batman pajamas. We mustn’t forget that Oded Lifshitz’s servant’s heart was so great that he spent years helping Palestinians receive the best medical care in Israel.

On Saturday, six Israeli hostages were, praise the Lord, released. Whatever elation we may have felt at the survival of these men, two of which had been held by Hamas prior to the 10/7 Massacre for a decade, was shattered as once again Hamas paraded the clearly abused human beings before a would-be lynch mob. Adding to the horror of it all, Hamas forced two additional hostages, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, to look on as the six others were released. Evyatar and Guy were then taken back to Hamas’s hellscape.

The war is not over. There will still be dark days ahead. Hamas still holds at least 62 hostages, of which half are believed to be alive.

We ask that you join us in praying Psalm 91 for Israel’s martyrs, survivors, bereaved, and all those who at this moment stand on the ramparts of His Holy Land.

Blessings to you and those you love.