by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. The Israel-Hezbollah 60-day ceasefire since November 27, 2024 is now towards ending some 3 weeks from now. The world awaits Hezbollah’s full retreat north of the Litani River and Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. For the Israelis who were forced to evacuate to safety while their kibbutzim (villages) were destroyed…
Author: UPCRL
Israel, Hanukkah and Christmas 2024
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. Since November 27, 2024 it has now been about 4 weeks into the 60-day ceasefire between the IDF and Hezbollah. The ceasefire seems to be holding. Accordingly, the retreat of the Hezbollah north of the Litani River in tandem with Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon is hoped for. Israel continues…
The Land Promised – Numbers 20-21 A New Generation
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. There is quiet in northern Israel and southern Lebanon as the 60-day ceasefire between the IDF and Hezbollah continues in its 3rd week. The Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks have been absent. Some IDF units have withdrawn from southern Lebanon and have been replaced by the Lebanese army. After the…
The Land Promised – Numbers 15-19 Korah and More Rebellions
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. The 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon seems to be holding albeit initial exchanges of fire between the IDF and Hezbollah. Lebanon is responsible for ensuring Hezbollah keeps its part of the deal by withdrawing north of the Litani River. While awaiting Hezbollah’s significant moves to implement the ceasefire, the…
The Land Promised – Numbers 14 Rebellion and Punishment of the 40-Year Wandering
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. Last November 27, a 60-day ceasefire that would result in a Hezbollah retreat to north of the Litani River as per 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and withdrawal of the IDF from southern Lebanon has been agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon with the backing of the US, France…
The Land Promised – Numbers 11 – 13
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. Over-all, Israel continues to fight a multi-front war against Hamas in Gaza, Judea and Samaria (West Bank), Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran-backed Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq and Houthis in Yemen while waiting for Iran’s expected direct retaliatory move which seems to have been postponed. Fighting continues in Jabalia and…
The Land Promised – Numbers 1 – 10
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. Temporary ceasefire with hostage-prisoner exchange negotiations seem to be at a standstill in Gaza with Hamas (and Islamic Jihad). In Lebanon, intense international efforts and pressure is being exerted on Hezbollah and Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel continues to attack from the air, land and sea the…
The Land Promised – Leviticus 27
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. The November 5, 2024 US elections have come and gone and despite its results Hamas reportedly continues to be defiant and has reportedly rejected a limited hostage exchange and a short ceasefire proposal. Qatar has now quit acting as a mediator, halted all mediation efforts and has asked the Hamas…
The Land Promised – Leviticus 26:14-46
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. Hostage exchange and ceasefire talks are going on concurrently for the Hamas war in Gaza and the Hezbollah war in Lebanon. Even while it made its retaliatory strike against Iran last October 26, Israel has continued to hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Hezbollah has apparently decoupled the ceasefire talks from…
The Land Promised – Leviticus 26:1-13
by Ptr. Art Calaguas Shalom. After the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and the following Simchat Torah, Israel made its retaliatory response to the October 1 ballistic missile attack by Iran. The attack involved 100 warplanes and hit several Shiite militia areas in Syria and Iraq as well, aside from different military sites…