U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley learned first-hand on Thursday about Israel’s security challenges with in-depth briefings and personal visits to the locations from which attempted terrorist attacks, and wars, have been launched.
During her visit to southern Israel, the ambassador visited a terror tunnel built by Hamas along Gaza’s southern border with Israel, together with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, and IDF Deputy COS Kochavi.
But she also took the time to meet some of the families — including their children — whose lives are on the front line every time Gaza terrorists launch an attack. For those who living in the Gaza Belt, there is only a three second window in which to reach a safe space, between the Red Alert warning siren, and the impact of a rocket or missile. Worse, there is no warning whatsoever when there is a mortar attack.
“Hello, I’m Jonathan,” announced one little boy in the community of Nahal Oz, “I’m 11 years old. From all the children of Nahal Oz we want to thank you and have a nice day in Israel.” (around the 02:90 mark)
Kibbutz Nahal Oz was one of the hardest-hit communities during the most recent counter-terrorist war fought with Hamas during the summer of 2014, Operation Protective Edge, with .
“All of you must have thought of leaving at one point,” Haley said to the parents. “I mean … what do you tell your kids?” Respecting the privacy of the families, the video cuts out and does not reveal what the parents answered.
The ambassador was also briefed on the activities of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist organization along Israel’s northern border. Haley visited the Golan Heights, where she received updates on the situation in Syria and related information about the proximity of the Al Qaeda-linked Jabhat al Nusra (Al Nusra Front) and Islamic State (ISIS / Da’esh) terrorist organizations, as well as the activities of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrilla organization, and the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps troops who are also deployed in the area.