New details surfaced about Army reservist Matthew Livelsberger, the suspect accused of blowing up a Cybertruck outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas. Adding a surprising layer to the story is former Green Beret Tim Kennedy, who revealed he had known Livelsberger in the past. The revelations have left many stunned, especially those familiar with Livelsberger’s impressive military track record.

The Las Vegas Incident and Letters That Followed

Authorities disclosed unsettling letters allegedly left by Livelsberger. These writings paint a troubling picture of his mental state leading up to the attack. In the letters, he criticizes what he calls “weak and feeble leadership,” accusing them of self-interest and prioritizing spectacle over substance. His disturbing message concluded with a chilling intent: using “fireworks and explosives” to make his point.

Livelsberger’s background as a highly-trained Army soldier and his transition into this violent act have baffled investigators and colleagues alike.

Tim Kennedy’s Connection to the Suspect

Former Green Beret Tim Kennedy, known for his work in the nonprofit Save Our Allies, revealed that he once knew Livelsberger personally. The two competed together on a military-themed reality show over a decade ago. Kennedy shared how seeing Livelsberger’s name and photos in news coverage left him “floored” and “speechless.”

Kennedy recalled his time working with Livelsberger and described him as a talented and competent individual. “He was fit, a good communicator, skilled in military operations—just an all-around great soldier,” Kennedy said. The shock comes from how inconsistent the current allegations are with the man Kennedy once knew.

A Brilliant Soldier With a Troubling Turn

Livelsberger’s military career was marked by accomplishments. He held roles as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, and Team Zulu member. His selection as a Green Beret alone speaks to his abilities since it’s a process that demands both mental and physical excellence.

Despite these qualifications, his recent actions and the tone of his letters suggest something “broke” in the months leading up to the horrifying event. Kennedy expressed deep concern over how someone with such skills and potential could descend to this point. He described the situation as “heartbreaking” and stressed how important it is for service members to check in with one another.

A Wake-Up Call for Soldiers and Leaders

Kennedy emphasized that Livelsberger’s case isn’t just about one individual. It reflects larger issues faced by service members returning to civilian life or dealing with the pressures of military service. The incident serves as a grim reminder that even the most trained and capable individuals can struggle in silence.

“This isn’t about a bad apple,” Kennedy said. “This is about someone who felt hurt, scared, and lost.” He called for more attention to mental health in the military, urging veterans and current service members to stay connected.

What Comes Next?

As news continues to unfold, this attack leaves many questions unanswered. What led this once-admired soldier to commit such a violent act? How was someone with Livelsberger’s training and discipline able to go unnoticed as his mindset deteriorated? The incident also raises broader concerns about how the military and society support their veterans after service.

For now, the spotlight is on ensuring similar tragedies don’t happen again. Supporting our soldiers—emotionally, mentally, and physically—has never been more critical.

Final Thoughts

The story of Matthew Livelsberger is as tragic as it is perplexing. It’s a sobering reminder that even the strongest among us can face immense struggles. As more details emerge, it’s clear this event will spark tough questions about leadership, mental health, and how we guide those who’ve dedicated their lives to serving others.

Video summary generated with the assistance of AI.

Rogan O’Handley, aka “DC Draino” on X, floated two scenarios about Livelsberger’s final moments:

Now that we know the Vegas suspect was found with a bullet in his head, I see 2 possible scenarios:

1. He shot himself – he was planning to commit suicide & didn’t want to risk being burned alive
2. He was shot by someone else & the Tesla was auto-pilot navigated to the Trump hotel

Now that we know the Vegas suspect was found with a bullet in his head, I see 2 possible scenarios:

1. He shot himself – he was planning to commit suicide & didn’t want to risk being burned alive

2. He was shot by someone else & the Tesla was auto-pilot navigated to the Trump… https://t.co/OqU5ecdy6e

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 2, 2025

“A long fuse could’ve been lit, a timer could have been set, or the bomb could have been remotely detonated I wonder if anyone in the vicinity heard a gunshot That would help confirm where the car was when he was shot,” O’Handley wrote in another post.

A long fuse could’ve been lit, a timer could have been set, or the bomb could have been remotely detonated

I wonder if anyone in the vicinity heard a gunshot

That would help confirm where the car was when he was shot

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 2, 2025

Tesla’s Elon Musk quickly dismissed the second scenario, stating, “Autopilot will not function unless it detects an attentive person in the driver’s seat.”

Autopilot will not function unless it detects an attentive person in the driver’s seat

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2025

Tesla vehicles have a cabin camera that monitors driver attentiveness and provides audible alerts when FSD is engaged. The camera is mounted above the rearview mirror.

“Like other Autopilot features, Full Self-Driving requires that the driver pay attention to the road, their surroundings, and other road users,” Tesla wrote on its website under the “Driver Attentiveness” section of FSD.

Tesla said, “The cabin camera does not require full visibility of the driver’s eyes in order to monitor attentiveness. The system is still active, for example, if the driver is wearing sunglasses.”

“If the cabin camera does not have clear visibility of the driver’s hand and arm locations, Full Self-Driving periodically displays a message reminding the driver to apply slight force to the steering wheel,” Tesla continued.

It noted, “If the driver repeatedly ignore prompts to apply slight force to the steering wheel or to pay attention, Full Self-Driving displays a series of escalating warnings and, if those warnings are ignored, disables for the rest of the drive and displays the following message.”

What’s apparent from Tesla’s description of how FSD works suggests any scenario with Livelsberger shot in the head well before the bombing would be extraordinarily hard to trick the camera.

X users should call on Musk to release the cockpit camera footage and any other recordings from the high-tech EV truck to disprove O’Handley’s second scenario. Additionally, footage from charging stations could provide valuable insights into what happened leading up to the bombing. We’re sure the FBI is already doing this…

For one, authorities report he had wanted to hurt his family but was concerned those actions to distract the media from what he considered more important: the battle between “believers & disbelievers,” a phrase adherents to Islam use to differentiate themselves from others.

But the suspect’s brother now has confirmed that while Shamsud Din Jabbar was “Christian” early in life, he had converted to Islam a long time ago.

Fox News notes that Abdur Jabbar, 24, was interviewed in Beaumont, Texas, “where he and Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, grew up.”

He confirmed the “now-deceased suspect had converted to Islam,” and was a Muslim “for most of his life.”

However, the brother claimed that the violence inflicted by the 42-year-old did not “represent Islam.”

“This is more some type of radicalization, not religion,” he explained.

The report noted that a next-door neighbor to the Jabbar residence also said Shamsud Din Jabbar had been loading lightweight items in the white pickup truck he used for the attack on Tuesday.

“He said he spoke with Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who told him he had gotten a job and was moving to Louisiana. The neighbor said he was under the impression Shamsud-Din Jabbar had gotten another job in IT,” the report explained.

The neighbor said he was shocked on learning Shamsud Din Jabbar was suspected of the mass murder in New Orleans.

Authorities have said Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a rented pickup carrying an ISIS flag into a crowed of New York revelers early Wednesday morning.

Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

This article was originally published by the WND News Center.

The Decline of ISIS but Lingering Threats

ISIS is a shadow of its former self, with reports estimating only 1,700 to 1,900 fighters remaining. The group is taking heavy hits from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Meanwhile, in Iraq, Counter-Terrorism Services, alongside American special forces, have significantly weakened their operations. Recruitment efforts have collapsed, leaving the group scrambling to survive.

However, this decline doesn’t mean the threat has disappeared. With diminished power abroad, extremist groups may refocus their efforts to target vulnerabilities in nations like the United States. Desperation often breeds unpredictability, making them dangerous despite their dwindling numbers.

Iran’s Weakened Influence

Iran has also suffered significant blows. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have eliminated key figures like Hanan Esta of Lebanon and Sinir of Hamas. Iran’s presence in Syria has been pushed back, further straining its resources. With reduced influence in the region, Iran may be playing a different game, potentially funneling efforts into sleeper cells and covert operations.

The combination of ISIS’s desperation and Iran’s need to reassert power paints a troubling picture. Both may seek to cause disruption or fear through coordinated attacks.

The Role of Border Vulnerabilities

Congressman Mills highlights concerns about national security, particularly regarding open borders. Over the past four years, millions have crossed into the United States. Among them, there’s the risk of sleeper cells entering unnoticed. While most individuals seek better opportunities, some could be waiting for activation orders from global terror networks.

This vulnerability underscores why securing borders remains a priority for many. It’s not just about immigration—it’s about preventing potential threats from taking root.

The New Year’s Eve Attack: A Clear Act of Terror?

A recent attack on New Year’s Eve has brought these fears to the forefront. Witnesses describe a horrifying scene where a truck, seemingly driven with intent, plowed through crowds, killing at least 15 people. The driver, identified as Bin Jabar, has raised national security concerns.

Authorities initially hesitated to classify the attack as terrorism. The FBI later reversed their statement, raising questions about how threats are assessed and communicated to the public. Congressman Mills criticized the FBI’s premature declaration, stating, “This was absolutely a terrorist attack.”

What’s more notable is the context. The truck, previously spotted near Eagle Pass—a known border crossing—suggests possible international coordination. Symbolism also appears to play a role, with the attack occurring near Trump Tower and involving a Tesla vehicle, a potential message towards former President Trump.

Radicalization and Known Risks

Radicalization doesn’t happen overnight. It’s often a gradual process, fueled by specific triggers or online extremist content. In this case, Bin Jabar’s path was particularly chilling. Once an honorable Army veteran, his descent into radical ideology serves as a grim reminder of how quickly allegiances can shift.

The question remains: was this individual acting alone? Congressman Mills doesn’t think so. Investigators are exploring connections between Jabar’s recent trip to Mexico and possible terrorist factions operating in the region. Coordination across borders could point to more sophisticated networks that don’t act in isolation.

Eyewitness Accounts: The Human Toll

Few things capture the impact of such attacks like witness accounts. An 18-year-old young man, visibly shaken, recounted the tragedy. He described bodies “all up and down the street” and losing a close friend in the chaos. It’s a stark reminder of the human cost and why prevention must always be the priority.

The Bigger Picture for National Security

This isn’t just about isolated incidents. It’s about understanding the broader landscape of terrorism risks in the U.S. Congressman Mills highlights key contributors, including sleeper cell activity, open borders, and connections between extremist groups like ISIS, Iran, and others.

National security experts are warning against complacency. They stress the need to address external threats from countries like China, Russia, and North Korea while also focusing on internal vulnerabilities. Open borders and weak domestic policies create room for these risks to escalate.

Conclusion

The chilling reminder of recent attacks, combined with growing evidence of sleeper cell activity, shines a spotlight on the fragility of national security. Groups like ISIS and destabilized regimes like Iran are evolving their tactics, leaving America exposed to potential threats.

Securing borders, strengthening surveillance, and uncovering networks of radicalized individuals are essential next steps. With mounting evidence of coordinated threats, the question isn’t if, but when, they’ll attempt another strike. Policymakers and citizens alike must remain vigilant, ensuring that safety and security are prioritized in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Article generated with assistance from AI.

A report at the Gateway Pundit documents the intersections that may have occurred between Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, who rented a Ford pickup truck and drove it through a New Orleans crowd, killing 15 and injuring dozens, and Matthew Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, who detonated a rented Tesla truck in Las Vegas, killing himself and injuring a handful of passersby.

BREAKING—Sources also confirming Livelsberger served at the same military base as the terrorist responsible for the attack in New Orleans and authorities are investigating a possible connection between the two men. @DenverChannel

— Tony Kovaleski (@TonyKovaleski) January 2, 2025

In addition to both terrorists having military careers, they also both rented their trucks from the Turo app, the report said.

Tony Kovaleski, a reporter for Denver’s Channel 7, said, “Sources also confirming Livelsberger served at the same military base as the terrorist responsible for the attack in New Orleans and authorities are investigating a possible connection between the two men.”

The New Orleans attack involved a truck being through a Bourbon Street crowd, leaving behind 15 dead and dozens with injuries. The driver died when he jumped out of the truck and started shooting at people, and police returned fire.

In the Las Vegas violence, reports say the vehicle’s bed contained a combination of fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel, and the truck exploded when it apparently was triggered by the driver, who died.

An ISIS flag was found at the scene of the New Orleans attack.

Joe Biden said federal law enforcement members are investigating and tracking the incidents and any connections.

Speaking after the Las Vegas blast, he said. “Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there is any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans.”

He said, “Thus far there is nothing to report on that score for this time.”

Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

But there are distinct differences as well, especially as it pertains to early indications of motives. Matt Livelsberger, suspect in Las Vegas, appears to have been aligned with Ukraine while Shamsud Din Jabbar. suspect in New Orleans, was aligned with ISIS and said online he was wanting to send a message to “non-believers” of Allah.

In the last 24-hours I’ve done my own digging into the attacks and the attackers and while I haven’t come to any conclusions, two things stick out. First, the FBI handling of these attacks is conspicuously divisive in ways we haven’t seen before. They don’t appear to be in cover-up mode, but they also continue to disseminate inexplicable “definitive” information. The most glaring was the early declaration that New Orleans wasn’t a terrorist attack even AFTER they knew he had an ISIS flag and IEDs in his truck. This tells me they’re in the process of narrative-building which is far worse than a cover-up. With a cover-up they’d be engaged in hiding information. With narrative-building, there’s a darker purpose to every bit of information they release.

Second, it feels like we’re being herded into a national state of fear. On legacy media, we continue to hear about how there are hundreds, thousands, or more terrorists and cells operating in the United States. While I’m not dismissing this as a likelihood I’m concerned with the way this is being propagated. Government officials, law enforcement, and legacy media “experts” are singing the same tune and that’s worrisome.

My best guess is that this is all a prelude to an attack or multiple attacks on Inauguration Day. But I’m very open to other theories which is the point of this post. Generally I don’t read comments on stories because there are always some idiotic trolls who make me question why I’m in journalism in the first place. It’s discouraging. But for this article I’ll be reading comments because we need to “crowdsource” the possibilities here.

With most conspiracies it’s relatively easy to understand the motives but this one is different. Are the connections between the two attacks coincidental? Is the Deep State involved? Is this the beginning of a terrorism trend in America? What can we do to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation?

I love providing answers with my content but today I’m asking questions instead. I sincerely want to know what everyone else thinks because the deeper I dive into this one, the more confused I get. Can anyone offer clarity, or at least some different theories? Thanks in advance.

The interview offers significant insights into what may be unfolding, as Al-Qaeda sleeper cells could be activating in the wake of the New Orleans terrorist attack and a possible vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in the rear of a rented Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas just hours later.

Ryan asked Adams: “I just want to clarify. You are 100% certain that there are 1,000 plus Al-Qaeda-trained fighters within the US borders?”

Adams, currently a global threat advisor with extensive experience in Middle Eastern affairs, responded: “Well, Al-Qaeda says they trained and deployed a thousand for this attack. First off, I think there are more than a thousand Al-Qaeda members in the United States, but for the Homeland Attack, that number is based on what Al-Qaeda is saying, so they could exaggerate it; however, they did have about 1,400 in the Hamas Attack so the number is not off from what they did in the first round of attacks.”

Frightening information to hear. Former CIA targeting officer Sarah Adams is warning of an IRGC U.S. Homeland attack in retaliation for Soleimani. She says 1,000 or more terrorists may already be here and discusses the “Invisible Bomb” undetectable to magnetometers and now… pic.twitter.com/tVGLhHGqZI

— Johnny St.Pete (@JohnMcCloy) December 28, 2024

Adams provided more details on a potential 2025 homeland attack.

CIA Targeter: "We have not had a man walk up to a building with a su!cid3 vest in America."

Sarah Adams outlines the enemy's plan for a 2025 homeland attack. This is information every America should be made aware of. @TPASarah pic.twitter.com/z9hAIS4PLD

— Shawn Ryan Show (@ShawnRyanShow) December 13, 2024

The terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, along with the postponement of the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, suggests that something larger is unfolding.

“There’s far too much of this happening—and when an attack on our homeland emanating from Afghanistan occurs, the resulting moral injury will be catastrophic. Those who served deserve far better than this!” Adams wrote hours before the attack on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, General Mike Flynn, who served as national security adviser in the Trump administration 1.0, wrote on X:

Again, it is not what you call it in the end that matters. What matters is if there was intelligence prior in some agency or department and it wasn’t acted upon. A failure of decision makers not a failure of intelligence.

Prevention is what we shoot for, that is what the hard work of intelligence does. If you don’t follow it and hunt down every lead, then you end up in a reactive, after the fact mode. This, tragically, is where we are for what should have been a very joyous occasion. Members of my family were walking along bourbon street last night at midnight.

Another big question, what’s next and are the people with knowledge rapidly cross leveling intelligence to prevent the next attack?

The idiots in the FBI don’t want you to call this a terrorist attack. That is what it is…now that we’re past that, the most important aspects are what is not currently being reported.

The White House is telling the Mayor of NOLA to stop calling it a terrorist attack after the… https://t.co/fvltmvGPZf

— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) January 1, 2025

According to a federal source close to the counter-terrorism community, some of the latest intelligence briefings have indicated that pre-trained al-Qaeda terrorists have entered the US through the Biden-Harris administration’s open southern border. The source warned that this raises the risk of further attacks.

The Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous exit from Afghanistan gave rise to al-Qaeda’s global jihad push (read: “Al Qaida Is Winning – The New Caliphate In Syria“). One wonders if these alleged terror cells operating within the US would still be active had Kamala Harris won the presidential election…

Anyways… Could the Bourbon Street massacre be Al-Qaeda’s opening act of the coordinated attack on the homeland described by Sarah? Or are the public pre-emptive warnings an attempt to fearmonger more aggressive domestic surveillance (and ensure funding is maintained under DOGE)?

Poland is one of only two European nations that does not accept refugees from Africa or the Middle East. They cite security reasons for their policy.

They may be onto something. As Jack Posobiec noted on X, you can draw your own conclusions…

Headline

Map

Draw your own conclusions pic.twitter.com/IyXRvzLQNq

— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) December 21, 2024

Middle East refugees can be assisted by the world without injecting them into western nations. There is land and potential for development possible in Middle East countries. But “assisting” them is not the goal of the globalists or Islamic leadership. They want to dominate and as we’re seeing in nations like England, they’re well on their way to achieving their goals.

But what are the sources of the dangers headed our way?  Why is 2025 becoming more and more prominent as an inception date for an attack?  Here are the reasons why the next year is ripe for a large scale event…

Open Borders Lead To Threat Saturation

“Homeland Security” is a misnomer; the head of DHS, Alejandro Mayorkas, openly admitted to a room full of border patrol agents this year that over 85% of illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border are released into the country.  Mayorkas originally claimed the release rate was 70% in an interview with FOX News, only to raise that number to 85% when agents pressed him during the private meeting.

Reports indicate that at least 400,000 known criminals have crossed the border illegally during Joe Biden’s presidency, and 13,000 of those immigrants were convicted murderers.  What we don’t know, however, is how many terror suspects and foreign agents have also entered the US in the past four years.

The DHS releases limited data.  Migrants that get a hit on the terror watch list are held and cataloged, of course, but with wide open borders and the White House running interference there’s no way to know how many slipped through.

The political left argues that “no terror attacks have happened on Biden’s watch”, but these are the same people that originally denied the existence of Venezuelan gangs currently taking over apartment complexes in multiple cities across the country.

The saturation of illegal migration will inevitably lead to a terror event in America, it’s only a matter of time.  It may not happen on Biden or Kamala Harris’ watch, but they will have been the catalyst that made such attacks possible.

Geopolitical Tensions And Open Borders Don’t Mix

I believe an attack is inevitable in 2025 even with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, primarily because of the geopolitical brush fires being ignited across the globe right now.  There is also always the looming danger of false flag events designed by covert actors trying to trick the public into placing blame on the wrong culprit.

The war in Ukraine and the expanding wars in the Middle East involving Israel are both dependent on US support and possibly future military involvement on the ground.  It’s fair to say that without US involvement, both of these wars would end rather quickly.  One can debate the ethical necessity of America engaging in proxy conflicts or the need for the US to protect certain allies and assets, but a lot of foreign elements view the US as the root cause of their pain.

They also know the easiest way to attack the US is through the doorway that the current establishment has left wide open on the southern border.

The US has been hit with a mass immigration storm while also embroiled in at least two regional proxy wars that have the potential to expand into world wars.  Why wouldn’t Russia, China, or multiple nations in the Middle East use that weakness to their advantage?  People that want the US to send troops to Ukraine or Israel could also perpetrate an attack that falsely leads back to Russia or Iran.

I continue to argue that America has no reason to be involved in the majority of foreign entanglements and that we should stay out of these conflicts entirely.  But we are where we are, the dominoes have already been set in motion and guess where that leaves us?

Conservatives Inherit Disaster While Leftists Go Weather Underground

Think about it, Republicans inherit all the messes that Joe Biden and his handlers created – Economic, political, social, and geopolitical.  There will also be considerable motivation for establishment elites to create chaos from thin air while conservatives hold governmental power, and this presents a third domestic threat which will definitely arise in the wake of a Trump presidency:  Leftist activists.

The goal of the progressive establishment when it comes to attacking conservatives is to create so much instability and fear that conservatives feel compelled to set aside their principles and the Constitution in order to restore order.  In this way the left hopes to “prove” that conservatives are the “fascists” they often accuse us of being.

For the past several years conservatives have also been labeled “domestic terrorists” bent on civil war, but it’s actually the progressive left that engages in the majority of civil unrest and violence in the name of political expediency.

The first time leftists were enraged by a political loss and took to the streets to riot, most conservatives and even the Trump administration erred on the side of constitutional flexibility.  The problem is, leftists have a habit of exploiting free speech rights as a springboard for mob intimidation.  Also, most of the riots took place in Democrat controlled states and cities where local officials defended the violence and tried to block any intervention.

The political left believes that mob violence and looting is a form of free speech and “reparations” for perceived injustices.  They feel completely justified in their behavior and that makes them exceedingly dangerous.  If you see the mass burning of random neighborhoods as an “ends justify the means” situation, then you can probably convince yourself that any crime is acceptable.

This trend of terrorism as activism is likely to evolve beyond simple mobs in the next round.  In other words, under a new Trump Administration we should expect smaller Weather Underground-like groups among progressive activists; groups that will engage in terror attacks.  The two assassination attempts against Trump this year support this hypothesis.

To summarize, there are four distinct instigators of political violence all active going into 2025:

• Organized criminal gangs crossing the border as migrants.
• Foreign agents and terrorists slipping into the US using mass immigration as a cover.
• Leftist activists radicalized to believe they are righteous in their violence.
• Establishment elites and covert agencies creating false flag events.

The types of attacks we face comprise a wide spectrum and I fear that conservatives may very well throw support behind a martial law scenario should the situation break out the way I think it will.  Infrastructure attacks would be the most devastating (and would not require a high level of effort or sophistication); a lot of people may see military intervention as the best option.

I would argue that this is exactly what the establishment wants.  They want the liberty movement to abandon our foundations in the name of security – They want us to take shortcuts that lead us down an authoritarian path.  If we are to increase the safety of the American populace it’s going to take years of work to fix the mess that progressives have left behind.  No shortcuts.

We’ll have to close the borders tight (the one place where a national guard presence makes sense).  We’ll have to deport millions of illegal migrants already in the country.  We’ll have to reduce our presence in global proxy wars.  We’ll have to secure communities through localized efforts.

Most importantly, should violence break out, community participation in defense is paramount.  The locals need to be prepared for grid down, for rioting, for random attacks.  It’s the general public that needs to be ready.  Regular civilians are the people that will be there when disaster strikes and they must be empower to take action.

When a terror attack takes minutes to achieve, regular people who are there when it happens have seconds to respond.  Until we can repair the damage done to our national security over the past four years, the public is the first and most important line of defense.

An updated assessment suggested that as many as 400 Hezbollah terrorists have been killed by IDF troops in recent days.

During one clash on Thursday, Israeli forces eliminated 15 Hezbollah terrorists, while one IDF soldier was wounded in the battle. Overall, nine Israeli soldiers have been killed since the fighting began with Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon. Like the Hamas terrorist organization, Hezbollah has deliberately embedded itself in civilian structures, including schools, mosques, hospitals and residential buildings, which constitutes a war crime under international law.

The IDF’s 98th and 36th Divisions are currently engaging Hezbollah terrorists in numerous villages and towns in southern Lebanon. In addition, troops have uncovered large caches of weapons left behind by Hezbollah forces.

The IDF announced it is conducting “limited, localized, and targeted raids.” The overall goal of the IDF ground offensive is to neutralize the Hezbollah threat close to the Israeli border and enable the return of some 60,000 evacuated Israelis to their homes in northern Israel after one year.

On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Israel has “more surprises in store” and stressed that the IDF had already delivered severe blows to Hezbollah.

“Hezbollah is receiving very severe blows, one after the other. We eliminated [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah and we have more surprises in store, some of which have already been carried out and some of which will be carried out,” Gallant stated during his visit to the 36th Division headquarters in northern Israel.

“[Hezbollah’s] missile and rocket division suffered a very heavy blow. A significant part was destroyed as a result of a high-quality and precise operation. Command and control headquarters, communications, the entire leadership of [the elite Radwan Force], and in fact, the entire second and third tiers of command below Nasrallah were eliminated,” the defense minister added.

Gallant also said the Israeli military was currently “carrying out an operation today in several villages, and this process will continue wherever necessary to destroy all the infrastructure from which Hezbollah planned to carry out attacks.”

Since launching an unprovoked attack on Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon have fired over 9,000 rockets, missiles and exploding drones into the Jewish state.

Dozens of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers have been killed and Israel has responded by stepping up its attacks on Hezbollah forces assets across Lebanon and in neighboring Syria since last week.

In recent weeks, the IDF has eliminated most of Hezbollah’s top leadership, including Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last Friday in a massive Israeli aerial strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

The Israeli military has stressed that the current ground offensive in southern Lebanon is limited in scope, and it seeks to wrap up the intensive phase of the operation within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced on Friday that it had eliminated Muhammad Rashid Sakafi, a senior Hezbollah operatively, in an aerial strike in Beirut. Sakafi was the head of the terror group’s communications division.

“Sakafi invested significant efforts to develop communication capabilities between all of Hezbollah’s units in all periods of operation, to maintain the flow of information throughout the terrorist organization,” the IDF stated.