The thing about living in a relatively small town or village is that after a while, you pretty much know everyone. For the good and for the bad. 
What are the chances that Elie's soldier doesn't know these families, these children?
For more than two years now, Elie has been in the army. The army, at least artillery, works in units - small units, which are grouped together under a single commander. That unit is grouped with several others, each having their own commander. Those commanders report to another officer. Several of those officers report to a higher level, and on and on. It's the nature of the military, here and around the world.
Bat Ayin is a tiny little village of slightly over 1,000 people. Thursday morning, an Arab terrorist entered the small village and attacked two boys with an axe. There was chaos in the news reports. Some said one boy was 16 and one 7; another said the older child was only 13. By all accounts, the older boy died this morning.
One message said the seven-year-old has died; someone else sent me a message asking for prayers for a boy who is seriously wounded. By all accounts, the terrorist succeeded in escaping.
In the first group that Elie was given to command, there is a soldier from Bat Ayin. What are the chances that Elie's soldier doesn't know these families, these children? The answer is likely very small. I tried to call Elie, but he doesn't answer. What would I tell him anyway? By now, I'm sure the boy knows and has hopefully spoken to his family.
This is the second time I have had to call him about bad news. The last time was after he'd been in the army about six months and a good friend of his was seriously injured in a terrible car accident. The army was amazing when this happened. Elie was told to go off duty, rest and find out what was happening. Friends from all over the country called him, each trying to find out if the other knew something more.
It is a frantic attempt to get whatever knowledge is possible, as fast as possible. It does not change the outcome, but it makes you feel like you are at least doing something.
A seven-year-old boy was fighting for his life today. Seven year olds shouldn't have to fight for their lives. It is, 
What kind of a sick nation would such people build if they were ever given the chance?
seemingly, a never-ending reality we live with here.
And as I tried to continue with my day and catch glimpses of the news reports, another thought came into my mind: What kind of man sneaks into a village and attacks a child with an axe? What sickness is there in his mind and soul that allows him to think this is the right thing to do? And what kind of a sick nation would such people build if they were ever given the chance to actually build a country - if to them murdering children is holy, if fighting a 13-year-old is sacred, if it is honorable to leave a seven-year-old fighting for his life?
May God send comfort to the family of the child murdered today and may He avenge his blood. May God protect the wounded boy and all our children, our sons and our daughters. And may Elie find a way to comfort his soldier, who will go home in just a few days to a village in mourning.