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At the time this article is being written, 100 days have passed since Simhat Torah, 5784/October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists in Gaza launched their vicious assault on southern Israel, igniting a war that has continued with no end in sight. Hamas still holds over 130 Israeli hostages, and has sternly rejected Israel’s conditions for a ceasefire – that it release the hostages and surrender control over the Gaza Strip. It is clear that Hamas is prepared to fight until the bitter end. And so the war rages on, with ripple effects being profoundly felt throughout the world – particularly in the Jewish world, as Jews everywhere grieve over the devastating losses Israel has suffered, and anxiously follow the developments while praying for peace and security for our brothers and sisters in Israel. Over three months into the conflict, Israeli troops are still battling against Hamas militants amongst the ruins and rubble of Gaza. After securing control over Gaza City, the largest city in the Strip, the IDF’s heroic ground troops entered in early December the southern city of Khan Younis. This is the second largest city in the Hamas-run enclave, and the city where Hamas’ leaders are believed to be hiding in underground bunkers. These leaders include the masterminds behind the October 7 th massacre, most notably Yahya Sinwar, who rules Gaza, and the notorious Mohammed Deif, the terror group’s military leader, whom Israel has unsuccessfully sought to eliminate numerous times over the years. Sadly, nearly 200 Israeli soldiers have died, and some 1,000 have sustained injuries, during this tragic and dreadful conflict. “The Darkest Day Imaginable” Community Magazine conducted an exclusive interview with Dean Elsdunne, International Spokesperson of the Israeli Police, who took the opportunity to express gratitude on behalf of the Jewish State to the Sephardic community for its concern and assistance throughout this crisis. “The fact that the Sephardi community sees the importance of Israel, and specifically the southern border communities,” Elsdunne said, “shows the true meaning of ‘ Am Yisrael hai .’ Israel is beyond grateful to all that the Sephardic community has done to stand by our nation. That includes those in Israel who were physically and mentally affected, but also those defending it, both the police and the IDF.”  Elsdunne described the October 7 th atrocities as more than an assault on Israel. “Humanity was attacked,” he said. “The darkest things imaginable were committed by Hamas terrorists against innocent civilians. Our heroes wearing police uniforms were the first to engage the terrorists, and now our IDF soldiers are inside Gaza making sure that dark day can never happen again.”  We spoke also with some of the officers in the IDF, who described how the bodies of hostages, victims of the October 7 th attack, and fallen soldiers are identified. “The identification process consists of routine analysis according to accepted forensic standards. Israel is careful to respect the integrity of the bodies of the deceased.” When it is confirmed that a body that was found in Gaza is not that of an Israeli, it is returned to Gaza. The outrageous accusations that the IDF steals organs from Gazan corpses are, according to the IDF, “completely unfounded.” A Country United in Grief… and Concern In Israel, of course, emotions are running high. Posters of the hostages still held captive line public places, and people hold signs urging leaders to exert as much pressure as possible to “Bring Them Home.” Many still yearn for the return of their loved ones. Many others are still grieving over lost family members, and struggling to move on. Thousands of wives are tending to their children alone, without their husbands, who are risking their lives on the front lives. Parents spend their nights tossing and turning, worrying about their sons fighting in Gaza. The love and concern felt for the courageous IDF soldiers, and the anguish over those who have fallen, have brought together Israel’s Jewish majority, the Druze community, and other minorities, all have lost loved ones on October 7 th and during the war. Israeli news channels devote their broadcasts almost exclusively to war coverage, and stories of both tragedy and heroism spread Israel’s Military and Political Quagmire 24 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE AVI KUMAR