Just days after the Oct. 7 anniversary of Hamas’ massacre, IDF soldier Chaim Malespin joined CBN News host Raj Nair to give a front-line update from Gaza and reflect on the war’s prophetic weight.
The interview, recorded shortly after the anniversary and released Oct. 10, captured the mood of both anticipation and skepticism within Israel’s ranks as the nation awaited the possible release of remaining hostages.
“Gregorian calendar says Oct. 7, but on the lunar calendar we still haven’t reached Simra—the eighth day, the end of our Tabernacle season,” Malespin said. “That was the day we were massacred and our brothers and sisters were taken hostage.”
He explained that the Hebrew date of Shemini Atzeret, the final day of Tabernacles, falls this week, making the timing spiritually charged for Israelis still mourning and hoping.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Troop Movements and Lingering Threats
Malespin confirmed that while some IDF units have rotated out of Gaza, about half remain deployed.
He cautioned that the situation is far from over, warning of active threats from southern Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, and Yemen.
“We’re not politicians. We have to keep our eyes open,” he said. “There’s a lot of trickiness in this neighborhood, and we don’t believe Hamas really wants to disarm.”
Skepticism About Hamas’ Intentions
Malespin expressed deep doubt that Hamas will keep any peace deal, recalling interviews with militants who swore they would never stop killing Jews.
“They said, ‘As long as there’s blood in my body, I will be killing Jews,’” he told Nair.
“They think if they put on a suit and a button-up shirt, the West will believe they’ve become statesmen.”
He warned that Hamas could rebrand itself politically or rebuild through tunnels once reconstruction begins.
Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!
Inside the IDF Tunnel Unit
Malespin serves in Yahalom, Israel’s elite combat engineering corps, which specializes in detecting and destroying terror tunnels.
He compared their work to America’s “tunnel rats” in Vietnam.
“It’s very dangerous,” he said. “We’ve been developing strategies for 20 years to locate, map, and destroy tunnels. We can’t allow them to be reused by Hezbollah or anyone else.”
He described the broader conflict as a “seven-front war” involving Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Islamic Jihad, Iran and other proxies, yet believes Israel is approaching victory.
“Israel has done the impossible again,” Malespin said. “We’re really at the finish line of this marathon.”
Prophetic Parallels and the Hope of Return
Malespin drew connections between current events and the Book of Nehemiah, where captives return to celebrate Tabernacles.
“In Nehemiah 8:17, the captives return and celebrate with great joy,” he said.
“Could it happen again—that the hostages return and celebrate on the same day they were taken? It would be phenomenal.”
He said Israelis are clinging to faith that even after two years of grief, God can bring restoration and joy.
Warning Against a Palestinian State
Malespin also warned that creating a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria would endanger Israel’s capital.
“It would surround Jerusalem like a Pac-Man eating the city,” he said. “People perish for lack of knowledge. They don’t understand what that would look like.”
He urged international observers to recognize the geographic and spiritual reality Israel faces.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
A Call to Prayer
Malespin closed the interview by thanking Christians and global supporters for standing with Israel through prayer.
“It’s not over till it’s over,” he said. “Keep us in prayer for full and complete victory. Notice how all the chants against Israel are silent now—because the world sees that victory is happening for Israel. God bless you and happy Tabernacles.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
