Israel at War: Week 36

Over the past week 11 IDF soldiers died in the Gaza campaign. Eight of those deaths caused by a blast in Rafah. Among those killed in the blast was Druze commander Captain Wassem Mahmoud, 23 years old, from Beit Jann. Avi Abelow of The Pulse of Israel calls the fallen warriors “ our holy soldiers” as they protect both the people and the land of Israel.

To put that number into perspective, if that happened to Americans, there is a 33-1 ratio between Americans and Israelis. So those 11 Israeli deaths would become 363 American deaths. Israel cannot afford large numbers of fatalities, as they have a small population of 7 million Jews. To date, including the soldiers killed on October 7, Israel has lost nearly 1,000 soldiers and police officers in defending the country. That would make a staggering total of nearly 33,000 Americans killed in battle.

The eight identified soldiers killed have been revealed:

Captain Wassam Mahmoud, 23

Sgt. Eliyahu Ephraim Zimbalust, 21

Sgt. Italy Amar, 19

Staff Sgt. Stanislav Kostsrev; 21

Staff Sgt. Orr Blumovitz; 20

Staff Sgt. Oz Yeshua Gruber; 20

Sgt. Yakir Ya Akov Levi

Sgt. Shalom Menachem; 21

In Jeremiah 31:15 we read, “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”

Her tears and cries continue today in the tragic loss of 11 Israeli soldiers. “May their memory be a blessing.” Pray for the families, loved ones and fellow citizens who mourn their loss.

(Source: The Times of Israel)