All Israel News reports that today (9/10/2024), Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) launched an airstrike on a Hamas command and control center hidden within the humanitarian zone of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, generating outrage by international and Palestinian media outlets.
According to the IDF, the airstrike successfully targeted and killed three senior Hamas terrorist commanders: 1) Samer Ismail Hader Abu-Daqqa – head of Hamas’ aerial array; 2) Osama Tabash – head of Hamas’ observations and targets unit within the intelligence headquarters; and 3) Iman Mabhouh – another senior Hamas commander.
An IDF spokesperson stated that the three targeted terrorists “were directly involved in the October 7 massacre” and that “this is another example of the systematic use by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip of the population and civilian infrastructure, including the humanitarian space, for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts against the State of Israel and the IDF…”.
The All Israel News report may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, the evil of Hamas’ integration of its terrorist activities within the civilian population continues. Hamas clearly does not care about the people it claims to support – the Palestinian people.
Embedding terrorist operations within humanitarian zones – and the civilian population in general – is ‘standard operating procedure’ for Hamas, leaving Israel with few options in its battle to destroy the terrorist organization other than to strike wherever necessary, but with as much pinpoint accuracy as humanly possible. As followers of Jesus, we grieve for the loss of innocent lives and for those injured or maimed as a result of this war.
It bears repeating that Hamas breaks every known and internationally-accepted rule of warfare. It is a terrorist organization supported by Iran and its ‘big brother’ terrorist organization Hezbollah, with the expressed goal of killing all Jews and removing the nation of Israel from the face of the earth.
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.’”
Let’s continue to pray for God’s wisdom and favor to rest upon Israel and its leaders, 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.
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…”.
God is always faithful to hear and answer our prayers! The bible has much to say about the power we have in prayer:
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.”
Mark 11:23-24 (NKJV)
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘[b]e removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore[,] I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
