As Israel entered Shabbat and the seventh day of Passover, the nation collectively paused for reflection and prayer in the midst of an ongoing war against Iranian-backed terror organizations. With the words of encouragement circulating among troops and citizens, the resilience and unity of the Israeli people have remained resolute as the country faces one of its most challenging periods since its founding.
The holiday season arrives under the shadow of the enduring war ignited by the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust. This event, perpetrated by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, initiated a new phase of hostilities that forced Israel into a protracted defensive campaign, known as the Iron Swords War. IDF soldiers, facing threats on multiple fronts—including the Gaza Strip, northern border with Lebanon, and long-range threats from Yemen, Syria, and Iran—continue to carry out critical operations even on the nation’s most sacred days.
The Significance of Shabbat and Passover During Wartime
Shabbat and Passover have profound historical and spiritual significance. Passover, commemorating Jewish liberation from Egypt, now resonates powerfully for families who face uncertainty for loved ones still held hostage in Gaza. While families gather for Seder meals and prayers, the nation’s thoughts are with those abducted by Hamas and their families. For IDF personnel on active duty, leaders provide messages of unity and hope, emphasizing the resolve necessary to rescue innocents and defend the country’s population.
Across Israel, bases and outposts hosted holiday prayers and traditional meals, facilitated by unit chaplains and support teams. Messages from commanding officers encouraged the troops, assuring them their sacrifice protects not only Israeli society but the broader Jewish destiny. The army’s leadership, from Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir to field officers, has reiterated the nation’s unwavering mission: guaranteeing security, rescuing hostages, and dismantling the infrastructure of Iranian-sponsored terror.
War on Multiple Fronts: Iran and Its Proxies
Since October, Israel’s military doctrine has prioritized degrading the capabilities of the Iranian-backed axis—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq. The Gaza campaign, while progressing with significant operational milestones, is marked by Hamas’s use of civilian shields, command centers in residential areas, and diversion of civilian aid for military ends.
In the north, Hezbollah’s near-daily rocket and missile attacks on Israel’s Galilee region have necessitated retaliatory strikes on southern Lebanon. The IDF’s multi-layered air defenses, anchored by the Iron Dome system, regularly intercept incoming projectiles, limiting casualties but not eliminating civilian disruption. Tensions remain high, with Israeli authorities prepared for further escalation. Meanwhile, long-range missile threats by the Houthis—intercepted by naval and air defenses—underscore the regional scale of the conflict and Iran’s strategic intent to surround Israel with hostile proxies.
The Hostage Crisis: Israel’s Moral and Strategic Imperative
Central to the national consciousness and IDF’s operational priorities is the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Over 130 people remain in captivity, after being forcibly abducted on October 7—many of them civilians, including children and elderly. The government’s stance remains unequivocal: all efforts will continue for the hostages’ return. Demonstrations, support vigils, and lobbying of international forums highlight the moral divide between Israel—a sovereign democracy defending its citizens—and Hamas, which exploits abductees for political leverage and refuses access to international aid organizations.
Israeli authorities emphasize that negotiations for hostage release are ongoing, but are complicated by Hamas’s continued demands and manipulation. Unlike the terrorists sometimes released in exchange deals, the hostages are innocent civilians, a distinction that remains part of the public and diplomatic message.
International Support and Challenges
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has reiterated steadfast support for Israel’s right to defend itself, provide for the security of its population, and pursue the safe return of hostages. Diplomatic engagement continues with Western partners, despite widespread mischaracterization or minimization of the terror threat posed by groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in certain international forums. Israeli diplomats and legal advocates counter persistent misinformation by documenting the atrocities committed by terror groups: mass killings, sexual violence, mutilation, and deliberate targeting of civilians.
Defense Innovation and Civilian Protection
Israel’s response to this war features significant advancements in technology. The Iron Dome’s interception record, coupled with expanded early-warning networks, drones, and real-time intelligence capabilities, demonstrate the IDF’s adaptation to the evolving nature of hybrid warfare. These technological innovations protect millions of Israeli lives and serve as models for allied defense forces.
Humanitarian Assistance in the War Zone
Despite persistent warfare, Israel coordinates humanitarian relief into Gaza. International observers and Israeli officials document the challenges posed by Hamas’s appropriation of aid, as well as the ongoing risk to aid corridors amid combat. The IDF’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm and facilitating medical and relief supplies aligns with its legal and ethical standards, even as terror groups target civilian infrastructure in Israel without regard for innocents.
A People United by Faith and Resolve
Messages sent to Israeli soldiers during the holiday season—wishing for prayer, unity, and a continued sense of purpose—reflect the spirit with which Israel confronts existential threats. Whether diplomatic agreements are reached or not, the nation’s resolve is embodied in its armed forces, its families, and its history. Passover this year symbolizes not only ancient liberation, but the ongoing struggle to secure a future of freedom and security.
As candles are lit and prayers are said for better days, Israel’s leaders and people remain focused on their ultimate objectives: ensuring national survival, bringing every hostage home safely, and decisively undermining the terrorist networks employed by Iran to destabilize the region.
