Tensions Rapidly Escalating Between U.S. and Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted a strong warning to Iranian leaders over the weekend to be “cautious” in threatening the US or face consequences “few throughout history have ever suffered before.” The tweet came in response to Iranian President Hassan Rohani’s speech on Sunday in which he said “America should know peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.” Other officials in both countries also issued rhetorical threats amidst an atmosphere of escalating tensions.

A tense quiet reigned on the border between Israel and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Monday morning following a weekend which saw several exchanges of fire, including the killing of IDF St.-Sgt. Aviv Levi by a sniper inside the Strip. Meanwhile, senior members of the Trump Administration in the US published an Op-Ed on the CNN website on Saturday placing the blame for the recent uptick in violence squarely on Hamas.

As Assad regime forces and their allies closed in on the last pockets of rebel-held territory near the Israeli border Saturday afternoon, IDF troops facilitated the evacuation of over 400 Syrian citizens who have been serving their country as part of the civilian “White Helmets” organization over the past several years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the evacuations had been carried out following a request to his government from the US, Canada and other Western countries.

Israeli sports fans had a good weekend, with the national Under-20 basketball team clinching its first ever European Championship Sunday night with an 80-66 victory over Croatia in Chemnitz, Germany. “You achieved an historic achievement and earned a trophy for the State of Israel. I am proud of you,” said Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev. The championship came a day after Team USA clinched their own championship title at the Men’s Lacrosse world finals in Netanya, beating Team Canada 9-8.

The control regained by Assad’s army over southern Syria opens a new chapter on the Israel-Golan Heights border. The leaders of Israel and Russia see the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement as the foundation of a future security arrangement. The mission environment of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), entrusted with ensuring the agreement’s implementation, has utterly changed since it was first formed, and UNDOF must make significant adjustments to its modes of operation, considering the challenges it now faces.

Iran spends $7 Billion each year funding terrorist organizations and proxy militias across the Middle East, all this comes at the expense of the Iranian people, struggling with the poor economic conditions in Iran.

The book of Proverbs declares that “… a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17) As Israel is facing these strenuous times, it is our responsibility as Christians to care for those who have become victims of this horrendous terror.