The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a television interview yesterday (6/23/2024) that the current phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza was winding down, but the war with Hamas was not over, and that this sets that stage for Israel to bolster troop levels at its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
American officials have been pressing Prime Minister Netanyahu to spell out a clear post-war plan for Gaza, as the Biden administration does not support a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory.
Prime Minister Netanyahu holds a very different vision, stating that the only way to guarantee Israel’s security is for Israel to maintain military control over the territory, but that he is seeking a way to create a Palestinian “civilian administration” to manage day-to-day affairs in Gaza – hopefully with the support of moderate Arab countries. He ruled out, however, any role in this civil administration of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority (“PA”), which which was ousted from Gaza by Hamas in a violent 2007 takeover.
The AP News report may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, because of all the attention on the Gaza Strip and specifically Rafah, it’s easy to forget that ever since Hamas’ attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, in solidarity with Hamas, has been attacking IDF forces along the northern border with Lebanon on a regular basis – killing Israeli solders and causing the continued evacuation of thousands of Israeli citizens from their homes.
This situation could be loosely compared to a hypothetical situation in which the United States is attacked by Mexico and is fighting a war for survival with Mexico, when simultaneously, Canada, in solidarity with Mexico and supported by Russia, fires missiles and launches drones across the U.S. northern border, killing American military members and requiring the evacuation of entire cities along the U.S. northern border. The United States would not tolerate Israel suggesting that it should refrain from a complete victory against Mexico and that it should not respond aggressively to Canada’s acts of war, instead seeking some form of ‘settlement’ that would leave the threat against the United States in place!
I know the above illustration was over the top(!), but it helps to illustrate the arrogance and presumptuousness of the U.S. government, as it provides Israel with military assistance and then tells Israel (a sovereign nation and ally) what it is ‘allowed’ or ‘not allowed’ to do against an existential threat during its war against terrorism (i.e., Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran).
The United States (and all of the other free countries of the world) should never forget that Israel is our only true ally in the entire Middle East. It is a free and democratically-functioning government, and a trusted NUCLEAR POWER. It is the only homeland for the Jewish people in the entire world, yet it is surrounded by nations which desire nothing less than to see Israel and the Jewish people wiped from the face of the earth. Lord have mercy!
There is no perfect country in the world, including Israel, as all of the world’s nations are led by imperfect men and women, just like you and me, who try our best, but sometimes sin or make faulty decisions. So, what is the answer? It’s never changed. The answer is the Answer – Jesus!
Let’s pray that God’s wisdom and favor rests upon Israel, and that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people, Hamas and Hezbollah supporters, and the leaders of Iran – such that the love of God would soften hearts, win souls to the kingdom of God, and bring an end to the murderous hostilities and the need for war, and that peace would be attained or restored in Israel and across the Middle East. Let’s also pray similarly for the current and future leaders of the United States!
The bible says it is good to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and those who do so will prosper and have peace:
Psalm 122:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you [holy city]. May peace be within your walls [a]nd prosperity within your palaces.’”
The bible tells us to pray for our leaders:
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”.
And, let’s also remember what the bible has to say about God’s chosen people:
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV)
“For you [the Jews] are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Zechariah 2:8 (Amplified Bible)
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘[a]fter glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you—for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.’”