Newsmax reports that Israel has entered its second phase of the war against Hamas, with a massive bombardment of Gaza as the Islamist group demanded the release of all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages it seized three weeks ago.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”), combined combat forces of armor, combat engineers, and infantry have been operating on the ground in the northern Gaza Strip since early Friday evening (10/27/2023). Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated today that Israel had “entered a new phase in the war.”
During a rally of several hundred thousand Palestinian supporters in Istanbul today, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that “the main culprit behind the massacre unfolding in Gaza is the West.” He accused Israel of behaving like a “war criminal” trying to eradicate Palestinians – describing Israel’s Gaza bombardment as “a vicious massacre.” This prompted Israel to recall all of its diplomats from Turkey.
The Newsmax article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, Turkey’s President Erdogan’s statements and actions, as well as anti-Israel statements coming from within the United Nations and around the globe, indicate that Israel is going to need the strong support of western nations – and especially the United States.
Even though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been exceedingly clear from the start that the mission of the IDF would be to destroy and remove Hamas from Gaza, Hamas supporters continue to push back against Israel’s plans for a determined, deliberate, and neighborhood-to-neighborhood sweep of Gaza, preferring to make it seem as though Israel initiated the confrontation and is the party committing war crimes.
All loss of life, Palestinian and Israeli, is sad, regrettable and sickening. Every person, Muslim, Jewish, Christian or otherwise is precious to his or her Maker, who according to the bible, made every person in the image and likeness of God (see Genesis 1:26) and desires that all would come unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (see Psalm 86:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and John 3:16-17). He is willing to forgive sin, bless and heal all the lands of the world if only the nations’ peoples would would humble themselves, seek the Lord in prayer, and turn from their wicked ways (see Psalm 33:12 and 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Let’s continue to exercise our Christian faith and trust in the Lord by praying steadfastly for the land of Israel, its people, and for all who would come against Israel. Let’s pray that all parties would operate in the wisdom of God and that Hamas would be ultimately convinced that fighting an evil war and putting their own lives (and others) at risk of perdition is not the answer. The truth is that the Answer was, is and will always be – Jesus! Amen.
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
“Then God said, ‘[l]et Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…'”.
Psalm 86:5 (NKJV)
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, [a]nd abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (NKJV)
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”
John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom [H]e hath chosen for [H]is own inheritance.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
