All Israel News (“AIN”) reports that former British Army Officer Andrew Fox opined in a recent magazine article that contrary to the assessment of many in the West, the Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) is winning the war against Hamas and needs to be allowed to finish that job.
Fox says characterizing the war with negative slogans is an approach frequently used in the United States by mainstream media outlets, reporting that “Israel is not winning, Hamas remains intact, the Israeli government has no plan,” etc. He cites a recent New York Times article echoing these exact sentiments within days of publication of Fox’ article.
The current conflict is an urban war against a well-organized terror army relying on a strategy of human shields and embedding within the population, with Western governments constantly targeting their criticism at Israel, despite Hamas’ repeated human rights and war crimes violations. Fox concludes that “the only thing that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and ensure the survival of the Iranian-backed Palestinian terrorist group on Israel’s border, is Washington.”
The AIN report article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, this writer could not agree more with Mr. Fox. The Biden administration has continually talked about how it believes that Israel “has the right to defend itself” – as if that were even up for debate. All sovereign nations have the right to defend themselves against existential threats and unprovoked enemy attacks killing its citizens and attempting to overthrow the government and destroy the nation and its people.
When I was in the military (1986-1998), it was clear and unambiguous that terrorists were to never be rewarded by conceding to hostage takers, or the result would be more hostage taking and emboldening of the enemy. I do not understand why, despite the multiple thousands of Palestinians (militants and civilians) and IDF personnel killed so far, that the overriding concern with the United Nations and Western nations (e.g., the United States) remains on securing a partial release of hostages, almost to the point of exclusivity.
Please do not misunderstand. I have great compassion for the hostages (those still alive…) and their families, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘gets it.’ He clearly understands that cajoling and begging for a mere partial release of hostages is not the way forward. The very FIRST thing Hamas should do is release every hostage (dead or alive) with an apology, and then seek a means to an end of the war.
From a war-fighting point of view, Israel has been exceedingly clear that the destruction of Hamas is imperative to assure that it will never again be able to attack Israel, to assure genuine border security and peace, and to assure a more humanitarian government for the Palestinians.
As followers of Christ, let’s continue to pray for the protection of the Jewish people (God’s chosen people), the state of Israel, and all of the persons suffering and at mortal risk, whether they are abducted hostages, military members or displaced citizens (including those Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are suffering greatly). Let’s also pray for a quick and just end to this war, without the need for further escalation against Hezbollah or Iran.
Let’s remember what the bible has to say about the Jewish people and Israel:
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 [emphasis mine], 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.’”
And, as hard as it may be to accept, the bible says that there is a time when war becomes necessary:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”