Transcript [00:00] Today, Israel is voting. But while [00:03] Israelis head to the polling stations, [00:05] the region is living under the [00:07] possibility of another major war with [00:09] Iran. The United States is assembling [00:12] formidable military power across the [00:14] Middle East. American intelligence is [00:17] warning that Iranian plots to kill US [00:20] personnel overseas [music] have reached [00:22] advanced stages. Israeli fighter jets [00:25] have flown towards Iran's border in a [00:27] highly unusual long-range demonstration [00:30] and Prime Minister Bin Netanyao is [00:32] warning that Tehran or its allies might [00:35] attempt to disrupt Israel's election [00:38] with an attack. Now, at the same time, [00:41] Iranianbacked Houthi forces are firing [00:44] towards Saudi cities, airports, and [00:46] energy installations. The world's most [00:49] sensitive oil routes are under military [00:51] protection. Yet in a startling [00:54] diplomatic move, senior delegations from [00:57] Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey [01:00] [music] have gone to Thran to try to [01:03] stop the next round of fighting. Is the [01:06] region preparing to fight or trying [01:08] desperately to find an exit before the [01:10] order is given? On Israel's borders, is [01:15] calculating the price of another [01:16] confrontation. Kamas is issuing an [01:19] extraordinary threat from Gaza and [01:21] Israeli troops are operating in Hebrron [01:24] after a deadly attack. And in Europe, [01:27] unrest in France is exposing bitter [01:29] arguments over public order, migration, [01:33] extremism, and the security of Jewish [01:35] communities. Now, I'm Mati Shosani and [01:40] this is Boots on the Ground. [01:43] And here you get the full truth about [01:46] what's happening in Israel and the whole [01:48] truth about what's happening in our [01:50] neighborhood, the Middle East. Today is [01:52] Tuesday, October 27th, election day in [01:55] Israel. And while this country decides [01:57] its political future, its enemies are [02:00] testing what comes next. Let's begin. [02:04] The important question this morning is [02:07] not simply whether the American military [02:09] is capable of striking Iran. It is. The [02:13] question is whether Washington can keep [02:16] that extraordinary force in position, [02:18] protect its own people, contain the [02:20] fighting already spreading through Yemen [02:23] and Saudi Arabia, and still make space [02:26] for a diplomatic arrangement. For weeks [02:28] now, President Donald Trump has [02:30] alternated between the language of [02:32] negotiation and the language of military [02:35] force. Over the weekend, after raising [02:38] the possibility that attacks could [02:40] resume almost immediately, he said no [02:42] strike would take place on Sunday. That [02:45] was not a permanent commitment to peace. [02:47] It was a decision about that day. The [02:50] White House has also said it does not [02:52] intend to resume attacks before the [02:54] American midterm elections on November [02:57] the 3rd. But military planners don't [03:00] stop preparing because the president has [03:02] not yet issued an order. Look at the [03:04] American deployment. The USS George [03:06] Washington and USS George HW Bush have [03:10] been operating in the broader region [03:13] while the USS Theodor Roosevelt is [03:15] moving towards the theater. American [03:18] amphibious ready groups bring thousands [03:21] of sailors and marines and commanders [03:23] have access to fighters, aerial [03:25] refueling aircraft, missile armed [03:27] destroyers, surveillance platforms and [03:30] forces positioned at bases across the [03:32] Middle East. [03:33] Public public estimates put the wider [03:36] American military presence at [03:37] approximately 50,000 personnel. The [03:40] distinction matters. Three [snorts] [03:42] carriers discussed as part of the [03:44] deployment don't mean all three have [03:46] already arrived at the same place. And [03:48] preparing strike options is not the same [03:50] as authorizing a strike. Yet, when [03:53] additional ships move, embassies reduce [03:56] staffing, and military leaders review [03:58] contingencies at the same time, the [04:01] preparations are impossible to dismiss [04:03] as ordinary routine. The most revealing [04:06] Israeli signal came earlier in the week. [04:09] According to American and Israeli [04:11] officials cited in news reports, dozens [04:14] of Israeli fighter jets accompanied by [04:16] refueling aircraft flew over Syria and [04:19] Iraq towards Iran's western border [04:22] before turning back. The information [04:24] traveled more than 800 miles from [04:26] Israel. Israel described the sorty to [04:29] Washington as an exercise and a [04:32] demonstration of deterrence. No strike [04:34] inside Iran was confirmed, but consider [04:36] what Iran's radar operators may have [04:39] seen. A formation moving along a route [04:42] that could also be used in an attack. [04:44] Some American officials worried that the [04:46] maneuver carried a risk of [04:47] miscalculation. An Iranian missile fired [04:50] at the aircraft, even an error, might [04:53] have changed the situation before [04:55] politicians on either side intended it [04:57] to change. That sorty coincided with an [05:01] unannounced visit to Israel by American [05:04] defense secretary Pete Hagsith. He met [05:06] Prime Minister Netanyahu at Ovda Air [05:08] Base in southern Israel where American [05:10] forces have also been operating. The [05:13] exact operational discussions have not [05:15] been made public and still the meeting, [05:18] the air exercise and the naval buildup [05:21] reveal two realities existing side by [05:23] side. Israel is demonstrating that it [05:26] can reach the approaches to Iranian [05:28] airspace. The United States is [05:30] increasing the options available to [05:32] President Trump and Thran must decide [05:35] whether these movements are intended to [05:38] extract concessions or signal [05:40] preparations for another sustained [05:43] attack. None of us can responsibly say [05:47] that a final launch order has already [05:49] been given. Now move from the air to the [05:53] sea. [05:54] On October 25th, the commander of US [05:57] Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, [05:59] flew over the straight of Homus in an [06:01] American CH47 Chinuk helicopter. This [06:05] was no ordinary photo op. It was a [06:07] public demonstration that Washington [06:09] intends to keep the international [06:11] shipping lanes open despite Iranian [06:13] threats and naval mining. Central [06:16] Command says more than 3,000 commercial [06:19] vessels have crossed the street with [06:20] American support in the past 6 months. [06:23] It says Gulf Partners have exported more [06:26] than 100 sorry 1 and a half billion [06:28] barrels of crude oil since the summer [06:31] and that more than 95% of ships using [06:34] the waterway in recent months have [06:36] passed safely. These are the US [06:40] military's figures and they describe a [06:42] significant operational achievement, but [06:45] they do not mean the crisis is over. [06:48] Keeping a lane open is an ongoing [06:50] operation when the armed forces of two [06:53] hostile countries are watching each [06:55] other across a narrow stretch of sea. [06:58] And here's the development that brings [07:00] all of these threads together on [07:02] Israel's election day. On Monday, [07:04] October 26th, Saudi Defense Minister [07:07] Khaled bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief [07:10] Aimun, [07:12] and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim [07:14] Khalen were reported in Tehan for [07:17] meetings aimed at preventing renewed [07:19] fighting. Katal's mediators had been [07:22] there the day before. They're discussing [07:24] Iran, the Gulf, and the war in Yemen at [07:27] the moment when Saudi territory is [07:29] already being attacked. This is not [07:31] evidence of an agreement. It's evidence [07:33] that regional governments understand [07:35] what another round of fighting could [07:37] cost. The same capitals that are [07:39] preparing defenses are still using the [07:41] telephone, the negotiation room, and [07:44] quiet channels to prevent a wider [07:46] explosion. And here in Israel, the [07:48] calendar adds a special vulnerability. [07:51] The tano stood beside an aeromissile [07:53] defense battery 2 days before the vote [07:55] and warned that Iran or its proxies [07:58] might try to disrupt an election. He [08:01] said the Israeli military was prepared [08:02] both to defend and to strike and [08:05] promised a severe response. These are [08:08] the prime minister's warnings, not [08:09] independent confirmation that an attack [08:12] has been scheduled. But today, Israelis [08:14] are doing something remarkable. They're [08:16] exercising their democratic choice while [08:19] their air defense network, intelligence [08:21] services, police, and soldiers must [08:23] remain ready for the possibility of an [08:26] emergency. We are not going to turn this [08:28] report into an Israeli political debate. [08:31] The issue facing our audience is larger. [08:34] Can this region pass through two closely [08:36] watched elections, one in Israel and one [08:39] in the United States without a missile, [08:42] a miscalculation, or an attack on [08:44] civilians setting the next war in [08:47] motion. I Shashani. You're watching [08:51] Boots on the Ground. We bring you the [08:53] truth from Israel and from the [08:54] confrontation with Iran's revolutionary [08:57] guards and the armed movements operating [08:59] around our borders. Before we continue, [09:02] help us spread this report. Share this [09:04] video, subscribe to Boots on the Ground, [09:06] and follow myself, Mati Shosani, and Ya [09:09] Pinto on social media for a firstirhand [09:12] perspective of life in Israel during war [09:15] and elections. And now, a word from the [09:18] partner making today's report possible. [09:22] Since this war began, more and more [09:24] people in Israel are struggling. [09:26] Families, elderly people, and those who [09:29] simply need a hot meal today. At Mayo [09:31] Panium's Jerusalem branch, thousands of [09:34] meals are prepared and served. But to [09:36] keep feeding people safely, the facility [09:38] itself must be safe and fully working. [09:41] This renovation is not about making the [09:43] place look nicer. It's about safety and [09:46] basic operations. The kitchen sinks are [09:49] backing up. Tiles were falling from the [09:51] walls and the building needs urgent [09:53] repairs so that meals could keep going [09:56] out. Your gift helps keep this kitchen [09:59] open. The meals going and hope reaching [10:02] people who need it most. Please give [10:04] today at blessisrael.org. [10:07] That's bless-israel.org. [10:11] Donate now and help feed Israel's most [10:14] vulnerable. Now, back to the news. [10:17] There's another sight to that maritime [10:19] operation. Iran's own oil exports. [10:22] Washington is enforcing a blockade that [10:25] has restricted Thran's ability to move [10:27] crude into international markets. [10:29] American commanders estimate that Iran [10:32] has been denied at least $25 billion in [10:35] oil revenue. Oil traders have reported a [10:38] sharp draw down in the floating [10:40] inventories of Iran used to sell crude [10:43] beyond the Gulf, including cargos [10:45] intended for Chinese buyers. That [10:47] doesn't mean Iran has literally run out [10:49] of oil. It means oil that exists inside [10:52] the country is worth far less to the [10:55] government if it can't be shipped, sold, [10:58] and converted into usable foreign [10:59] currency. Now the government must stay [11:02] still pay its security forces fund [11:05] reconstruction and keep a struggling [11:07] economy functioning. Every month of [11:10] pressure changes the balance between the [11:12] cost of resistance and the concessions [11:14] tan might consider. But the nuclear [11:17] dispute remains the core of the [11:19] confrontation. Israeli leaders say Iran [11:22] is trying to rebuild sensitive [11:23] capabilities and move equipment into [11:26] deeply protected locations. attention is [11:30] focused on a fortified underground [11:32] complex near Natans, commonly called [11:34] Pickax Mountain. Its depth makes it a [11:38] very different problem from an exposed [11:40] missile launcher or a warehouse. Reports [11:43] of enriched uranium and underground [11:45] construction must not be confused with [11:48] independent proof that Iran already [11:50] possesses an operational nuclear weapon. [11:53] We must distinguish the existence of [11:56] nuclear material. the engineering of a [11:58] weapon, the ability to deliver it, and [12:00] the decision to use it. Those [12:02] distinctions are precisely why [12:04] Washington and Jerusalem are debating [12:07] what military action could accomplish, [12:09] and whether another bombing campaign [12:11] would end the threat or merely force it [12:13] farther underground. Now, add the [12:16] immediate personal threat facing [12:19] Americans. An intelligence memorandum [12:21] dated October 23rd sent by Director of [12:24] National Intelligence Jay Clayton to [12:26] Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned [12:29] that Iran had substantially increased [12:31] efforts to target American personnel [12:33] abroad. The memo described lethal [12:35] plotting that had reached advanced [12:37] stages in the Middle East and other [12:39] country. It did not identify public list [12:42] of targets or proven attack was eminent, [12:44] but it's as close as it gets. It helps [12:47] explain why Washington has ordered [12:49] non-essential diplomatic personnel and [12:52] their families to leave Saudi Arabia and [12:54] has adjusted staffing at other regional [12:57] missions. The United States is [12:59] concentrating striking power while also [13:01] trying to reduce the number of exposed [13:03] Americans who could become targets of [13:05] retaliation. The pressure on Iran is not [13:08] an abstract calculation. In Thran, [13:11] families are dealing with sharply higher [13:13] food prices and the collapse of [13:15] purchasing power. Videos and reporting [13:18] describe security checkpoints, [13:19] surveillance, and armed besieged [13:21] personnel on the streets. Thran publicly [13:24] projects confidence, but its government [13:27] also needs money to pay salaries, import [13:29] essentials, maintain security forces, [13:32] and restore military equipment damaged [13:35] earlier in the conflict. Reports that [13:37] some families are buying meat on credit [13:40] illustrate what economic pressure can [13:42] mean far beyond the negotiating table. [13:45] Now, negotiators have discussed [13:47] international inspection arrangements [13:49] and possible access to Iranian funds [13:51] held abroad. Those are proposals, not a [13:55] signed agreement. Thrana's disputed [13:57] accounts of a deal through Pakistani [13:59] mediators and the two sides are still [14:01] far apart on the Iranian question. [14:04] Another uncertainty surrounds Iran [14:06] Iran's Supreme Leader Much Bahamini. [14:09] Iranian authorities have publicized [14:11] accounts of his meetings with senior [14:13] officials, including the speaker of [14:15] parliament, Muhammad Bagel Galibbah. Yet [14:18] the leader has not made the kind of [14:20] public appearances that would resolve [14:22] speculation about his condition. We [14:25] shouldn't confuse uncertainty with [14:27] confirmation of a rumor. But what [14:29] matters operationally is that the [14:30] Revolutionary Guard, Armed Forces, and [14:33] intelligence agencies still issue orders [14:36] and manage threats. While questions [14:38] about Iran's top leadership continue, [14:40] Tehran is also warning countries outside [14:42] the immediate battlefield. It has [14:45] threatened to to treat German military [14:47] facilities in the region as legitimate [14:49] targets if Germany joins offensive [14:52] operations against Iran. That is a [14:55] conditional Iranian threat, not proof [14:57] that Germany has joined an attack or [14:59] that such an attack has occurred. Iran [15:02] is also suspected of using its network [15:04] outside its borders to complicate [15:06] American and Israeli planning. On [15:09] October 17th, an explosion occurred at a [15:12] military ammunition depot in the East [15:14] Canal area of Baghdad. Iraqi officials [15:17] have examined whether weapons storage [15:19] facilities were deliberately struck [15:22] around the time Iranian linked groups [15:24] received Chinese-made portable air [15:26] defense weapons. Such missiles would [15:28] threaten helicopters, drones, and [15:30] aircraft operating at low altitude. No [15:33] government has established publicly who [15:35] caused the explosion or confirm the [15:37] entire alleged shipment. And [15:39] nevertheless, the event is strategically [15:41] significant. If militias in Iraq are [15:44] trying to harden their defenses or if [15:46] someone is systematically disrupting [15:47] their weapon supplies, the confrontation [15:50] is no longer confined to Iran itself. [15:53] The risk for Iraq is that its territory [15:55] once again becomes a battleground for [15:57] regional powers without a formal [16:00] declaration of war. Since October 7th, [16:03] you have followed us through Gaza, the [16:05] Israel Lebanon border, and some of the [16:08] most difficult moments our families and [16:10] communities have experienced. You prayed [16:13] for us, encouraged us, and helped us [16:15] continue reporting from Israel. Through [16:18] those difficult days, we have witnessed [16:20] extraordinary courage, God's [16:23] faithfulness, and moments that reminded [16:25] us of the biblical miracles we grew up [16:28] reading about. Y Pinto shares that [16:31] journey in his new book, Boots on the [16:33] Ground. When you become a monthly [16:35] supporter with a gift of $50 or more, [16:37] you can receive a personally signed copy [16:39] of Year's book. Visit tbn.org/boots [16:44] onthe ground or call 800847895. [16:50] Signed copies are available in limited [16:52] quantities. [16:53] >> And now back to the news. The danger is [16:55] already visible in Saudi Arabia. Over [16:58] the weekend, the Iranianbacked Houthis [17:00] claimed missile and drone operations [17:03] against airports, against military [17:05] sites, oil facilities, and the East West [17:08] pipeline. The Saudi led coalition [17:10] confirmed interceptions, but not every [17:12] target the Houthis claimed to hit. At [17:15] the Shyan oil field, debris from an [17:17] intercepted drone killed two workers and [17:20] injured two others. Alerts and attacks [17:23] have also affected the capital and [17:25] southern areas. Riyad is trying to [17:27] protect air travel and energy production [17:30] while avoiding a much larger war. Saudi [17:33] Arabia's east west pipeline carries oil [17:35] to Yanbu on the Red Sea, bypassing the [17:38] Straight of Humus. And if Iran threatens [17:40] one export route, while the Houthis [17:42] threatened the other, the consequences [17:44] could reach energy markets around the [17:46] world. Britain has committed typhoon [17:48] aircraft for defensive interceptions, [17:51] not strikes inside Yemen, and Egyptian [17:53] air defense assistance, has been [17:55] discussed. Riyad is also reportedly [17:58] expanding a solid fuel ballistic missile [18:00] facility west of its capital, seeking [18:03] stronger deterrence even as it opens [18:05] diplomatic channels with Thran. And [18:08] inside Yemen, the Houthis claim [18:10] ballistic missile attacks on government [18:12] linked facilities near Aden airport [18:14] while fighting around Tais continues. [18:16] Reports that Iraqi Shiite mil militia [18:19] men have joined Houthi forces remain [18:21] unverified. But if true, they would [18:24] suggest Iran aligned groups are sharing [18:27] fighters across fronts, not only [18:29] weapons. And for Saudi Arabia, the [18:32] choice is increasingly difficult. [18:34] respond more forcefully to these attacks [18:37] or try to contain them through talks [18:39] before the wider region erupts. On [18:42] Israel's northern border, [18:44] has raised its readiness while Israeli [18:46] forces continue operations to prevent [18:49] the organization from rebuilding weapons [18:51] depots and drone capabilities. A [18:54] Lebanese report says told parliament [18:57] speaker Nabia it would not join another [19:00] war with Iran. President Yusfon was [19:03] reportedly informed and Iran has [19:05] conveyed a similar message, although [19:07] details are disputed. Those assurances [19:10] may reflect the enormous price Lebanon [19:13] has already paid. One reported survey of [19:16] 800 Shiite respondents found roughly 2/3 [19:19] in favor of transferring's weapons to [19:22] the Lebanese state. That doesn't mean is [19:25] disarming or powerless. A single [19:28] miscalculation could still reopen the [19:31] front. In Gaza, Hamas leaders reportedly [19:34] warned through a United Nations channel [19:36] that they could attempt another October [19:38] 7th style attack, including operations [19:40] inside Israel or in Judea and Samaria. A [19:43] threat is not proof they can reproduce [19:45] the scale of the 2023 massacre. Israeli [19:48] forces continue operations near the [19:50] yellow line and against attempts to [19:52] rebuild armed cells. But after an attack [19:55] that killed two soldiers, security [19:57] forces also expanded searches and [19:59] arrests in Hebrron. On election day, [20:02] Israel must protect polling places as [20:05] well as its borders. Syria and Iraq [20:08] remain part of the equation. Both [20:10] countries sit between Israeli air bases [20:13] and Iran, and Israel's reported long [20:15] range flight illustrates how a [20:18] deterrence exercise might be mistaken [20:21] for the beginning of an attack. The same [20:23] danger exists between American and [20:25] Iranian forces in the Strait of Homus. A [20:28] single incident that neither government [20:30] intended could decide how quickly the [20:33] next war begins. Now, let's move to [20:35] Europe. France has seen mass [20:38] demonstrations over education, public [20:41] services, and the cost of living [20:43] alongside violent clashes, looting, and [20:45] damaged businesses. Interior Ministry [20:48] figures put Saturday's turnout at [20:50] approximately 400,000. [20:53] Unions reported higher numbers. Arrest [20:55] totals differ by date. The unrest has [20:58] intensified debate over immigration, [21:00] over Islamist radicalization, and the [21:02] radical left and the security of Jewish [21:05] communities. President Mcron rejects [21:08] claims of an Islamic takeover and warns [21:10] of manipulated images. And while there's [21:13] no exact evidence that the demonstrators [21:16] as a whole belong to Islamist movements, [21:18] but the violence and the anti-semitism [21:21] still demand an effective response from [21:23] the French authorities. And Europe is [21:25] not a single front. Britain's defensive [21:28] operations over Saudi Arabia. Germany's [21:30] refusal to join offensive strikes and [21:32] France's domestic crisis all require [21:35] different assessments. Thran's [21:37] conditional threat against German [21:39] military facilities adds another risk. [21:42] The next test is whether nuclear [21:44] negotiations advance. Houthi launches [21:46] slowba stays out of an Iranian war and [21:50] American and Israeli forces can maintain [21:53] readiness without a dangerous mistake. [21:56] This is unfolding as Israel votes today [21:59] and the United States approaches its [22:01] November 3rd midterm elections. Now [22:05] Israel is voting under the shadow of an [22:08] American military buildup. Iranian [22:10] threats, Houthi attacks, and the [22:13] possibility that one incident could pull [22:15] several fronts into another regional [22:17] war. Well, diplomacy and deterrence hold [22:20] long enough to prevent that single [22:23] incident from becoming the next major [22:26] conflict. So guys, keep spreading the [22:29] truth, follow us, and most importantly, [22:31] don't forget to click the subscribe [22:33] button so that you stay tuned to the [22:35] truth in real time and never miss boots [22:37] on the ground. Keep looking for myself, [22:39] Mati Shosani, and the Pinto on social [22:42] media to see life in Israel through our [22:44] eyes. And finally, let's pray together. [22:47] We don't know how these elections are [22:48] going to end, but they're important, as [22:50] are the American midterm elections that [22:52] are coming up. So God, we just raise [22:54] before you these elections. We ask for [22:56] your supernatural guidance and wisdom, [22:58] both for the people voting and for those [23:00] that will be elected. We ask for wise [23:03] leadership, for virtuous leadership, for [23:05] brave leadership both in Israel and in [23:08] the United States. And I'd say this by [23:09] extension also for the European [23:11] countries that need to stand up to this [23:13] evil that is the Iranian regime. Now, as [23:17] ever, leadership is important. The [23:19] identity and the actions that they carry [23:21] really impact our lives. So we ask for [23:24] God's will to be done on earth as it is [23:27] in heaven and for his protection over [23:29] the people of Jerusalem and the people [23:30] of Israel in this election day. Be [23:33] blessed and I'll see you all the next [23:36] time. Hello, this is Mati here in [23:37] Jerusalem with TBN [music] Israel. [23:39] >> This is Yay Pinto from TVN Israel here [23:42] in Jerusalem. TBN Israel is keeping [23:44] viewers informed with Israel focused [23:47] news, culture, [music] [23:48] and what God is doing in this land. [23:50] Support TBN Israel today online
