NBC News reports that this morning’s surprise attack by Palestinian militants on Israel suggests a massive intelligence failure as the Israeli government appeared blindsided by the infiltration of Hamas fighters across the southern border and the launch of thousands of rockets. Hamas assaulted Israel by air, land and sea. This raises questions as to why Israeli and US intelligence agencies apparently did not see it coming.
The onslaught took place a day after the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and carried echoes of that conflict, when Israel was caught flat-footed by a coordinated offensive by its Arab neighbors, led by Egypt and Syria.
Marc Polymeropoulous, who worked for 26 years for the US Central Intelligence Agency, said that “this was Israel’s 9/11. Not since 1973 has there been such a catastrophic intelligence failure in Israel.”
The NBC News report may be read HERE.
The fighting rages on tonight, with hostages reportedly placed inside the usual tunnels dug to facilitate Palestinian infiltration, thereby negating the Israel Defense Forces’ (“IDF”) approach of blowing up these tunnels.
Multiple news agencies are consistently reporting that the “all clear” has not been given, with multiple Israeli cities still being scoured for the presence of militants.
DISCLAIMER – The following contains political commentary:
My brothers and sisters, something is VERY wrong when at a time when terrorism should have been high on any intelligence agency’s radar because of: 1) the timing of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war; 2) the ongoing US diplomacy to improve relations with Saudi Arabia; and 3) the recent release of $6 billion of previously frozen money to Iran (the leading international sponsor of terrorism and supporter of Hamas); this attack against Israel should not have been missed! So what happened?
This writer is convinced that Israel is not going to walk away from this situation until the threat is DECIMATED. This morning’s murderous and indiscriminate attack, to include hostage taking and the reported dragging of bodies through the streets, portend serious trouble for the Palestinian militants (Hamas) and Iran.
It seems possible that this war might even provide the impetus and justification for the IDF to unilaterally end Iran’s continuing threat of producing and using nuclear weapons – meaning the destruction of such nuclear weapons or dual-use facilities. Given lackluster US support recently, Israel is not likely to be deterred in any of its necessary actions to fight, win and sustain victory in this matter by concerns potentially put forth by the US.
It’s hard to imagine Israel accepting the usual premise that it must respond to this attack proportionally, as this no longer seems even reasonable. In fact, in my observation over the years and as a former military member, I’ve come to the conclusion that battles need to either NOT BE FOUGHT or they NEED TO BE FOUGHT TO WIN. The US has not fought to win since the Korean Conflict. Prior to that, we definitively won every battle in which we were involved, because the goals were clear and victory was the endgame.
Conceptually, this reminds me of what Jesus told Apostle John during a heavenly vision about the “lukewarm church” of Laodicia:
Revelation 3:15-16 (NKJV)
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
In similar manner, a lesson could arguably be taken that an earthly battle justly pursued must be fought to win, not to proportionately appease various parties, many of whom might not even be directly involved or impacted. A “lukewarm” prosecution of, or end to, a battle leads to future deaths and additional battles. When an adversary won’t accept the offerings of peace for decades, as has been the case with the Palestinians, then at some point, it can become much like trying to reason with the foolish or those blind to the goodness of God.
Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)
He who walks with wise men will be wise, [b]ut the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
Proverbs 29:9 (NKJV)
“If a wise man contends with a foolish man, [w]hether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.”
Pray! Let’s continue to pray for a quick, just and long-lasting resolution to this war, with peace in the land of Israel, peace in the hearts of the Palestinians, and the end of hate, murders, hostage taking and terrorist groups such as Hamas!
Praise Jesus forevermore!
