I feel so worried about the situation on the Gaza border. Yet I rarely hear a peep about it in the news, even in the Israeli news cycle.
Is this just the new normal that Israel is planning to tolerate on its border?
A dangerously burning border with tens of thousands of Palestinians trying to break through it, and IDF soldiers needing to protect while protecting itself against tens of thousands of rioters?
How is this an accepted status quo?
It’s been over six months. Six months!
Add to this dangerous mix the recent spike in terrorist activity; of fatal knifings, execution style murders, and more.
It’s frightening.
But what I’m most worried about regarding the burning Southern envelope of Israel are its long term affects.
Famously, during the nuclear power plant accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine, radioactive matter was released, with detrimental health ramifications for so many far into the future.
Thank G-d, when it comes to the burning border, we’re not talking about radioactive or nuclear material. Nonetheless, toxic fumes from thousands of burning tires and smoke inhalation from fires rekindled daily have got to be dangerous to the future health of the Gaza Envelope communities, not to mention the young IDF soldiers.
Does Israel really want a health crisis on its hands in a few years? Will so many, G-d forbid, be diagnosed with respiratory diseases that we’ll have “The Gaza Fires” generation?
These fires, and constant exposure to them, are serious and dangerous.
I don’t know what the answer it, and I certainly don’t want war, but there must be a stronger response Israel could be taking to mitigate the impact of these fires and protect its citizens and soldiers.
Clearly, the culprit in the crisis is, yet again, Hamas in Gaza.
Israel ought to take a stronger stance because little children are breathing this black air. This hardly protects Israel’s security.
The terrorists are smart. It is no longer obvious bombs they are throwing. Now they are sending explosive balloons to trick kids and lure them to touch them, transforming an adorable plaything into a Molotov balloon.
The air itself has become one big bomb, inhaled rather than exploding. The air is too dangerous to breathe.
What is the next step? Breathing masks distributed to all Israeli citizens in Southern Israel?
What is the long-term solution to this new form of terrorism — environmental terrorism?
I stand in pain and in awe of Israel’s constant need to develop and success in implementing new technology that sabotages terrorists’ goals of hurting Israelis. But for some reason, with this newest threat, the silence is deafening.
We do not hear hear much about anything at all being done. Perhaps it is beyond energy-depleting to need to be so constantly vigilant and inventive just to stay alive.
I say this from a place of worry, not judgment. The silence has been concerning.
IDF soldiers courageously working in terrifying conditions, facing moving targets of terrorists while breathing black smoke and developing dangerous coughs.
For over a half a year now.
This is untenable.
Israel’s quiet response to this mass threat encourages lone wolf terrorists to go on the attack, on murder rampages. They feel confident.
Something must be done.
The situation is only escalating.
Chernobyl was an accident. Not this time: the danger is intended terror by Hamas.
It’s up to Israel to find a way to halt this building threat.
Because of the safety of Israelis today.
And because of the potential long term health damage.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
