Governor Pillen in Israel as Ceasefire Wavers

By Gordon Hopkins Governor Jim Pillen got an up-close taste of the fragile nature of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the organization that has governed the Israel-occupied Gaza Strip since 2007. The Governor from Nebraska, who is in Israel heading a trade mission, reported hearing gunfire in Gaza as hostilities resumed in the region. Israel accused Hamas of an attack in Gaza that killed an Israeli soldier in Rafah, thus violating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Hamas denied any involvement in the incident. Tuesday evening, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began a series of military strikes in Gaza, targeting what it called, “dozens of terror targets and terrorists.” Gaza's health ministry described those killed in the strikes somewhat differently, reporting that 104 people were killed, including 46 children and 20 women, and that more than 250 others were injured.Wednesday morning, the IDF announced it had “begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire.”President Trump told reporters while on board Air Force One, “As I understand it, they took out, they killed an Israeli soldier. So, the Israelis hit back and they should hit back.”This was the backdrop as Governor Pillen continued his trade mission to promote U.S. beef exports to Israel. Among the delegation is Fischel Ziegelheim, manager of WR Reserve, a kosher beef processor in Hastings that is the only plant in America approved to sell to Israel. Photo: Governor Jim Pillen’s trade mission to Israel coincided with a pilgrimage of Nebraskans, led by Bishop James D. Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln. Pillen joined the group at Christ’s tomb in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, for Mass celebrated by Bishop Conley.

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