Attribution to TUBS

A month ago, Hamas fighters entered Israel, killed 1,200 people and took a number of hostages. Sources indicate that there are approximately 240 hostages. Israel retaliated by first bombing and then entering Gaza. This has resulted in 12,000 Gaza inhabitants dead and major portions of Gaza in ruins.

The goal of Hamas is the destruction of Israel. Israel, in return, will not end this incursion into Gaza, until Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Condemnation of the Israeli incursion grows as more images of the death and destruction in Gaza come out. Hamas has hundreds of miles of tunnels in Gaza which they have used for military operations against Israel. Israel claims to have evidence of Hamas tunnels and underground operations under hospitals. Total clusterf@#k.

There is optimism this week. In the next few hours/days high-stake negotiations will hopefully result in the release of 50 hostages (women/children) currently held by Hamas. In return, Israel will release approximately 150 prisoners and will halt military operations for four or five days. Israel indicates that they will add one extra day for every ten additional hostages released.

Israel says that they will resume military operations once this temporary hold expires. Israel says operations will continue until the Hamas threat is eliminated.

Families of those 50 hostages released will be overjoyed. The hostages released will be traumatized for the rest of their lives by what they have endured during their capture and the days following. While there is a sense of celebration for the 50 hostages to be released, 190 hostages remain. The hell for them and their families will continue. As we enter the holiday season, their future remains uncertain. Even for the 50 to be released. As of this chirp, the release is said to be imminent. Snags could still occur.

The sad fact remains. This is far from over.