The prediction by the Biblical prophet Isaiah that enemies will beat their swords into plowshares may have been carried out by the Jews of Gush Katif – but Palestinian Authority Arabs in Gaza got it backwards and are now using the former Jewish agricultural communities as terrorist training camps.



According to WorldNet Daily, the towns of Elei Sinai and Dagit, former Jewish communities in the Gaza region, are now being used to teach new terrorists and upgrade the skills of those who are already experienced in attacking Israeli civilians and soldiers.



Earlier this week, Israelis living in the western Negev reported hearing explosions that upon investigation turned out to be part of explosives training exercises carried out by the ruling faction in the new PA unity government.



The Gaza trainees are using the formerly Jewish towns to practice producing and using explosives, ambushing soldiers, shooting rockets and more, according to a senior member of Hamas quoted by WorldNet Daily. He added that the terrorists are preparing for an Israeli operation in the area, which they believe will take place in the near future.

IDF Upgrading Reservist, Commander and Combat Training Programs

Israel Defense Forces commanders are also focusing their efforts on upgrading battle skills, focusing on measures to meet the increasingly sophisticated weaponry and terrorist skills.



IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said, in his first appearance before the army leadership, that he plans to emphasize intensified training for the reserves as well as the commanders and combat troops.



Ashkenazi reviewed the lessons learned from last summer’s Second Lebanon War and told Security Cabinet ministers a day later that his first priority would be specialized training for troops assigned to especially dangerous missions. He did not elaborate on what those missions might be.



The IDF Chief also warned the Cabinet that the army would not be able to handle a war and said the process of bringing the troops up to battle-ready status would take several years.



The Prime Minister’s Office hastened to issue a statement less than two hours later, however, that “such remarks were never made and, in any case, cannot be interpreted as if the IDF is in a situation that requires rehabilitation.”



Former Front-Line Community Residents Ready to Return

And as the IDF prepares to reinforce its ability to protect Israeli citizens on the home front, civilians who once lived in Disengagement-destroyed Homesh in the Shomron are planning to return to the site and rebuild.



At the same time, a group of Jewish women is planning to use "spiritual weapons" - by fulfilling the commandment of “taking challah” in support of the return to Homesh next Monday. They will fulfill the Biblical command to separate a small potion of dough from the bread they are baking for Shabbat, and pray for the endeavor’s success. The challah initiative is the brainchild of a former resident of Homesh, who was expelled from her home along with all of the town’s Jewish residents in 2005. The woman, who now lives in Ramle, explained that her idea would provide an alternative way to help the returnees, for those who are unable to be physically present. She said that the act of taking challah from bread has great spiritual significance, and demonstrates the power of prayer.