WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING IN SYRIA AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:10-11

On Sunday, 8/12/24, we awoke to a new world reality which can only be described as a cataclysmic shift in the balance of power in the Middle East. During the night, President Assad of Syria, having told his army to stand down, fled Damascus and is now believed to be in Russia, leaving the door wide open for the advancing rebel militias. Damascus has fallen without a fight, and the rebel militias led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now have control. 

You, like me, are probably confused by the spaghetti-like tangle of terror militias and organizations operating in Syria today. This 10 minute video  gives a good explanation of the the rapid chain of events that led to Assad's downfall:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snObSKVYQwY

Syria was an artificially constructed nation formed as a result of the Sykes-Picot agreement after WWI and consisted of a conglomeration of various ethnic and religious groups, most of which hated each other. For the last 50 years it was held together by the often brutal and oppressive Assad Regime but it began to blow apart during the Civil War which began in 2011. Now, the Assad Regime has been defeated by the lightning advance of the rebel army which took Aleppo at the end of November and Damascus on the night of December 7-8th this year. 

There were 3 main players, and a myriad of smaller entities, involved in this coup:

1. The Rebels: led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) and includes the Syrian National Army and the Syrian Free Army (both of which were in opposition to Assad). HTS is supported by Al Qaeda, ISIS, and other Shiite Islamist organizations.  It is backed by Turkey and Ukraine. 

2. The Assad Regime - backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. Now, defeated. The Russian troops that were stationed in Syria have fled, and Iran and Hezbollah have been decimated and  weakened by the fighting against Israel. Assad's military forces have collapsed. 

3. Kurdish-led forces, including the YPG (People's Defense Units), the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), and the Peshmerga. 

An area in the south west, near the Israeli border, is controlled by Druze armed groups. Pockets of ISIS/ISIL hold territory in the eastern desert. 

What does this all mean for Israel? 

We in Israel were surprised by the rapidity of the unfolding events and are still in a state of shock, trying to figure out what is happening. 

No one is shedding tears for Assad, who was a cruel and evil dictator who massacred at least 500,000 of his own people during the Civil War period, and caused 6 million to become refugees. He maintained power by brutal atrocities carried out against any dissenters. He even used chemical weapons on his own people. He was supported by Russia and Iran.

Assad's flight and the collapse of his army now leaves a large chunk of the country in a power vacuum and it remains to be seen who will take control of what. The main cities have fallen to the HTS forces and it seems they came with prepared plans to take over the governance of the state. 

Their leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is a wanted a terrorist with an extremely bloody past, such that the USA has a $US 10 million bounty on his head. He claims to have cut ties with al-Qaeda and ISIS/ISIL and is adopting a more moderate ideology, but as Caroline Glick pointed out,  "You can't be a half jihadi; you can't be half pregnant".  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flG2cVNoAQ&t=1129s).

Also, consider the name of Jolani's militia - Hay'at Tahrir al Sham (HTS)- which translates as 'Freedom for the Levant'. The term 'Levant' includes Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. Although Jolani's eyes may be turned towards the conquest of Syria right now, his ultimate aim is clearly the conquest of all of the Levant, including Israel. Yesterday the Israel Broadcasting Authority quoted the rebels as saying, "The Israeli Chief of Staff Halevi says that Syria is a battlefront, and we say to him: To Jerusalem, we are coming to you, you Jews,"

Another clue lies in his name. Jolani, is the Arabic version of Golani, meaning native to the Golan. Jolani was born Ahmad al-Ashra, but he adopted the pseudonym 'al-Jolani' in reference to his claimed family heritage in the Golan region, which was seized by Israel in the Yom Kippur War. For more about Jolani read: https://allisrael.com/who-is-abu-mohammed-al-jolani-leader-of-the-syrian-rebel-group-which-overthrew-assad.

Israel is not deceived by Jolani's apparent lack of interest in confronting Israel right now. We are watching his every move, and are prepared both offensively and defensively to protect our borders and nation. 

In recent months Israel has built a defensive berm and trenches along the Israel-Syrian  border in order to help prevent a land invasion, but with the fall of the Assad Regime, other measures have become necessary. In the last few days Israel has:

1. Increased the stationing of IDF troops and arms along the Syrian border. It has also carried out training exercises to prepare for any offensive or defensive eventuality. 

2. Occupied a buffer zone in the Area of Separation (AiS) that was set up in 1974. The agreements formed then are now void since the Assad Regime has fallen. Assad's forces had vacated the area and some armed terrorist groups were active there, but the IDF moved in without facing any resistance. The IDF now occupies the Syrian side of Mt Hermon which overlooks Syria, Lebanon and Israel, and is therefore of great strategic value. 

3. The IDF temporarily entered Syria when Israel was asked to rescue the UN Disengagement Observer Forces (UNDOF) which were being attacked by armed groups at a post near the Syrian town of Hader close to the Israeli border. 

4. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has, over the last few days,  targeted at least 320 military sites in Syria, and destroyed around 70-80% of the military capabilities of the former Syrian Arab Army of the Assad regime, in order to prevent their strategic weapons falling into the hands of the terrorist militias hostile to Israel.

 According to AllIsraelNews, "The destroyed targets include strategic weapons such as Scud missiles, cruise missiles, surface-to-sea, surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, UAVs [drones], fighter jets, but also regular army equipment like attack helicopters, radars, tanks, hangars, and reportedly also intelligence infrastructure". The IAF bombing also destroyed Assad's chemical weapons stockpiles. 

5. The Israeli Navy attacked the ports of al-Beida and Latakia  sinking or destroying at least 15 missile ships of  Assad's navy.  

It is hard to know at this stage whether the fall of Syria will be to Israel's advantage or to our detriment.

The fall of the Assad Regime and the takeover by HTS can be attributed to the weakening of Assad's main supporters, Iran and its proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. 

Hamas as a military force has been thoroughly defeated by Israel, though pockets of terrorists still remain in Gaza, and the ideology persists. Just this morning, Hamas operatives managed to fire 4 rockets into Israel, two were shot down and two landed in open areas - this after more than14 months of warfare, and the daily destruction of Hamas personnel, infrastructure and weapons. 

Hamas still holds around 100 Israeli hostages, at least 60 of which are already dead. Negotiations are ongoing for their release but the clock is ticking as their health is seriously deteriorating because of starvation and the inhumane conditions in which they are being held.

 Hezbollah has been decimated in Lebanon. It is thought that the IDF has destroyed around 80% of Hezbollah's weapons and military infrastructure but much still remains. The ceasefire seems to be more or less holding but there have been many infringements. Hezbollah in Lebanon has now been cut off from its source of munitions and personnel which were coming through Syria from Iran. 

The Houthis are still firing ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel, over 250 to date, but nearly all have been shot down by our defense systems. Just this week two drones from Yemen reached Israel, one was shot down but the second hit an apartment building in a coastal city. Last week two ballistic missiles were fired at Israel but were also shot down outside of Israeli airspace (although some shrapnel landed in Israeli territory).

Iran as a power player in the Middle East is critically wounded, perhaps fatally, but a wounded 'bear' is a dangerous animal, especially when cornered. Iran has been humiliated by Israel's attacks and the destruction of its defensive arrays, and now is vulnerable to any attack on its territory. It is also being increasingly shaken by internal disagreements in its leadership. Iran is frantically enriching uranium in order to produce nuclear bombs. Israel is watching this closely and may soon be forced to act to prevent this becoming a threat not only to Israel but also to the whole of the Middle East and Europe. 

Another player that needs to be watched closely is Turkey. The Turkish Leader Recep Erdogan has openly stated his desire for the reestablishment of the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire. Turkey also hates the Kurds and his army is actively fighting against the Kurds in the north eastern part of Syria. For more on Turkey see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIgEFHPeqzg&t=448s 

As a result of the overthrow of the Assad Regime, Russia has been forced to withdraw from several key positions in Syria including air defense units in western Syria, the strategically important Khemeimim airbase near Latakia, and its naval facility at Tartus in NW Syria. Russia may have lost their 'toehold' in Syria, and it may be preoccupied with the war with Ukraine, but it has not lost its interest in being a major player in the reshuffling of the Middle East power blocks. For more on this read: https://allisrael.com/putin-s-pravda-unveiled-russia-s-growing-hostility-towards-israel

As the various ethnic and religious groups jostle for power within Syria, the 'big players' Russia, Turkey and Iran, together with China, are operating behind the scenes to take advantage of these events in order to bring down the western power block, led by the USA. The USA is perceived in the Middle East  as weak and indecisive, since it persists in thinking it can negotiate peace and impose its democratic, Judeo-Christian western values on the Middle Eastern mind and geopolitics.

Many Christians around the world are wondering if we are seeing the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the War of Gog of Magog, as recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39. It seems to me that we may indeed be seeing the preparatory moves, but the actual war has not begun. The chess board is getting set up. The main players seem to be moving into place. As we have seen in recent days, things can happen very fast. Watch this space...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibz5K_QmWH8

https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-are-the-rebels-battering-syrias-regime-and-do-they-pose-a-risk-to-israel/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQVZUCaHBdA

 

CEASEFIRE - SURRENDER OR VICTORY?

 Last night I went to bed with some trepidation as it had been announced that a ceasefire deal with Lebanon had been signed and it was considered likely that Hezbollah, and perhaps others, would attack Israel massively in a last-ditch effort before the ceasefire came into effect at 10AM the next day. This morning however, I awoke to discover that the ceasefire had already begun, at 4AM, and no massive attack had eventuated. Now, 2PM Wednesday, the ceasefire, already 12 hours in, is still holding even though it is unclear whether Hezbollah has officially agreed. 

How do I feel about the ceasefire? In a word, conflicted.

On one hand I am relieved and hope that the people in the north will soon be able to return to their homes, rebuild their lives, houses, businesses and farms, and their children return to school. I feel the same about the displaced people of Lebanon. I hope that Israelis in Tel Aviv, Haifa and all of the north and center will no longer have to run for shelter several times a day as the alert sirens sound. I hope to see our reserve soldiers being able to come home to their wives and families, return to their studies, jobs and businesses, and get some well earned rest in safety. I hope that children can return to school. 

On the other hand, I have some serious doubts. How long will the ceasefire hold? According to the terms of the ceasefire it will be enforced by the Lebanese Army and monitored by the USA, France (both of which have proven to be somewhat fickle friends of Israel) and UNIFIL. The Lebanese government includes representatives of Hezbollah and the Lebanese army has been infiltrated by many Hezbollah fighters. Can we therefore trust the Lebanese to monitor and enforce the ceasefire? UNIFIL's track record is abysmal, especially their total inability to enforce the terms of UN Security Council resolution 1701 which ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006. As occurred after that war, will the ceasefire just give Hezbollah the chance to rearm and regroup, and build a massive military infrastructure, so it could attack Israel even more forcefully some time in the future? 

Another concern is that Hezbollah operatives will re-enter the territory the IDF has 'cleared', posing as civilians returning to their homes, just as they did during the period after 2006, when they built military infrastructure inside ostensibly civilian houses, and forced the actual local civilians to cooperate with them even storing weapons and equipment in their homes. 

On the other hand (yes I know that's 3 hands already - the situation is complex) the ceasefire will give Israel a chance to rearm and regroup, and concentrate its efforts elsewhere, especially in Gaza and against Iran. 

Netanyahu in his speech to the nation last evening (26/11) gave three reasons for the ceasefire: 

"The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won't expand on that.

The second reason is to give our forces a breather and replenish stocks. And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission. 

And the third reason for having a ceasefire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages".

For a full transcript of Netanyahu's speech (translated to English) go to: https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-statement261124

For an analysis of the pros and cons I would recommend this video by Joel Rosenberg (made before the official announcement of the ceasefire):

https://allisrael.com/ceasefire-deal-has-netanyahu-made-shrewd-move-or-been-forced-into-premature-surrender-here-s-what-evangelicals-need-to-know

I think it is significant that in his speech Netanyahu admitted that there have been delays in the resupply and shipment of weapons (from the USA - though he didn't say so). This raises the question, was he thus manipulated into agreeing to the ceasefire by the US in order to release the weapon blockade? And, being even more cynical, I can't help but wonder if this whole deal is an effort of the Biden administration to score 'brownie points' in the annals of history as a broker of 'peace' before their term in office ends? 

I have to give Netanyahu credit however that this is not the case. He has, over the past year or so of this war, stood firm against the intense pressure emanating from the US Biden administration and other nations. It seems unlikely that he would fold now, especially at a time when Israel has scored so many victories on the battlefield. 

I guess the bottom line is 'wait and see'. The coming days and weeks and months will show us if this was the right move or not. God has allowed it to happen and we must trust Him. It is His battle and He will be victorious in the end. 

1 

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;

    it is fitting for the upright to praise him...

2 

1 

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;

    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples...

1 

1 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

    the people he chose for his inheritance.

1 

From heaven the Lord looks down

    and sees all mankind...

1

1 

No king is saved by the size of his army;

    no warrior escapes by his great strength...

1 

1 

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love...

1 

2 

We wait in hope for the Lord;

    he is our help and our shield.

2 

In him our hearts rejoice,

    for we trust in his holy name.

2

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

    even as we put our hope in you.

Excerpts from Psalm 33

 Pray for:

1. Courage and wisdom for our leaders, and that they may have the wisdom to do what is right and just and according to God's will, 

2. The release and return of all of the living hostages and the bodies of those already deceased,

3. A solution for the 'day after' in Gaza,

4. The soldiers of Israel, both the standing army and the reservists, that they will remain vigilant and fight with untiring courage (as they have now done for 418 days), but also that they can get the respite they need.

5. The people of the north who have been internal refugees in Israel, that they may soon be able to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. 

6. The civilians of Lebanon and Gaza, that they also may be able to rebuild their homes and lives. 

7. All the peoples of the region, Jew and Gentile alike, that they may forsake false gods, and deceiving ideologies, and turn to the true God, YHWH, and find salvation in Yeshua.

A few days ago, before the ceasefire was declared, I published an article in All Israel News (AIN), entitled "Should we negotiate peace with Iran and its proxies?"

I stress that it represents my own opinion and not that of AIN or anyone else. Here is the link:

https://allisrael.com/blog/should-we-negotiate-peace-with-iran-and-its-proxies-its-proxies

I would also strongly recommend the video referenced at the end of the article - an interview between Caroline Glick and Moriel Bareli - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsE5B-9uMYk. This interview should be required watching for all non-Muslims as it will help us understand what is happening, not just in the Middle East but in the whole world today.

 

ONE YEAR ON - DAY 367 OF THE WAR

  " When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies ".

Numbers 10:9

Today is the 7th of October 2024, one year on since the terrible massacre of October 7th, 2023. One year of sorrow, war and suffering for so many people. Each morning, I am a little surprised that I have made it through another night, and my heart sinks with the realization that I must face another day during which the war is still ongoing. 

It has been quite a while since I wrote on this blog. The months seem to be passing in a blur of motion. It is quite impossible to report on everything that has happened in the intervening months.

Today the IDF published the following statistics:

• On 7 October 2023 1,200 Israelis, civilians and security personnel, were killed, and 251 abducted into Gaza. 101 of those abducted are still in the hands of Hamas in the tunnels of Gaza but it is estimated that between 50-70 of those have been killed or died. 
• On the same day 07/10/23 Hamas fired about 5,000 rockets and missiles into Israel. Around 6,000 Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel and about 1000 of these were killed, the remainder were captured, or managed to escape back into the Strip,
• Since that day, 26,000 rockets, missiles and explosive drones have been launched at Israel, including a total of 13,000 from Gaza, 12,000 from Lebanon, 60 from Syria, 180 from Yemen, 400 from Iran (their figures did not include those fired from Iraq). These figures do not include hundreds of rockets that misfired or landed in the Gaza Strip or in Lebanon. 
• Since 07/10/23, 728 Israeli soldiers and local security officers have been killed and 4,576 wounded, including 56 killed by 'friendly fire'.  
• Since 08/10/24, 885 Israeli civilians have been killed including 53 children, and 923 children made orphans. 
• According to unverified, and probably exaggerated, Hamas figures, around 40,000 Gazans have been killed, including terrorists and civilians, and those who have died from natural causes. (Even the pro-Palestinian UN had to admit that that figures received from Hamas were inflated, and they halved them). The IDF estimates that around 17,000 Hamas terrorists have been killed.
• The IDF has struck 40,000 targets in Gaza and located 4,700 tunnel shafts. 
• In Lebanon, the IDF has struck 11,000 Hezbollah positions, and killed around 800 Hezbollah operatives, including 90 Commanders. 

Of course the cold statistics do not do justice to the loss and pain felt by all the  victims of this war on both sides. Israel is a small country, with large extended families, and vast social networks. Everyone knows someone who has been killed or wounded, or is being held captive. We mourn together. Today there are gatherings all over the Land to commemorate the lost and to grieve together. 

After 12 months of war in Gaza, during which the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) have largely destroyed Hamas' military capability, and has been engaged in a slowly escalating 'tit for tat' war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the war has now entered a new phase. It began on September 17th with the audacious and brilliantly executed simultaneous explosions of thousands of pager devices carried by mid- to high-level Hezbollah operatives, followed the next day by the explosions of walkie-talkie radios. In the two attacks tens of Hezbollah operatives were killed and thousands injured, many maimed for life, losing hands, eyes and suffering groin injuries (since they had their devices in their pockets or in their hands).   

Ten days later, on Friday 27th September, a massive, targeted airstrike on the main Hezbollah command center in Beirut killed the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and a number of other Hezbollah leaders. As of today, all of the 18 most senior leaders of the Hezbollah terror army have been assassinated by Israel.

As the focus of fighting has shifted away from Gaza and turned upon Hezbollah, more and more rockets, RPG's, missiles and explosive drones have been fired from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq into Israeli towns along the northern border and throughout the Galilee, the Jezreel Valley, Haifa and even further south - up to 200 per day. The IDF has been constantly hammering Hezbollah operatives and military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, destroying thousands of rocket launchers, missiles and other weapons, military installations and tunnels. 

A few days ago, on 1st October, Iran fired a massive barrage of at least 181 ballistic missiles at Israel, though Iran claims it fired 400.  Ballistic missiles fly high up into space and then fall towards their target. It takes about 12 minutes for a ballistic missile to fly from Iran to Israel, as opposed to 2 hours for cruise missiles and 9 hours for an armed drone. For this reason, only ballistic missiles were used this time, unlike in the April attack when cruise missiles and drones were also fired. Ballistic missiles are massive, around 20 m long, and carry an explosive payload of 500-800 kg. They can cause a great deal of damage and many casualties. Most of the missiles in this attack either fell short or were shot down by US, Jordanian and Israeli anti- missile defense systems, but approximately 20 hit Israeli soil, causing some damage to homes and other buildings.

 About 15 minutes before the attack began sirens sounded all over Israel, sending most of Israel's 10 million residents into shelters and 'safe spaces', though of course many were caught out on the roads or far from a safe space. There was only one fatality, a Gazan man illegally present in Jericho. No Israelis were killed and there were no serious injuries. This is truly miraculous and once again evidence of God's supernatural protection over Israel.

Just minutes before the Iranian attack began, news had started coming in of a serious terror attack on the light rail commuter train in Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Two terrorists opened fire on passengers and killed 7, wounding several more, before they were neutralized by a security guard and an armed civilian who were in the vicinity.

Since the Iranian attack Israeli leaders have made it crystal clear that we will retaliate and are currently coordinating with the US in order to carry out a direct attack on Iran. The only question remaining is how hard we will hit them, what we will hit and when. We will only know after it has begun, but sources predict it will happen in the next hours or days. Polls show that about 80% of Israelis support such an attack, even though it is likely to result in a severe retaliation by Iran. We all understand that this is the right time to 'cut off the head of the octopus'. We have never had such a good opportunity, nor may we get another. 

In addition to this direct confrontation with Iran, Israel has in the last few days been openly sending ground troops into Lebanese territory in order to clear out the Hezbollah infestation so that residents of the northern Israeli towns and cities can return to their homes, farms and businesses.

Bizarrely, here in the center of Israel life has continued more or less normally - we are going to work and school, shopping and eating in restaurants and cafes, going to the beach and the pool as if there was no war. Outwardly all looks normal, but we all know that at any moment everything could change, and below the smiles lie hearts full of sadness, anxiety and downright fear. Any minute, the sirens could go off, the missiles start falling and all hell break loose (literally). 

For all that, many of us here in the relatively 'safe' center are suffering a kind of survivors' guilt, as we think of our friends and loved ones who are living through the constant missile fire from Gaza and Lebanon, evacuated from their homes for a year now, or not evacuated and trying to exist while under constant rocket fire, many without any adequate shelters. We also have the hostages and their families very much on our hearts and in our prayers, together with the bereaved families and friends of the soldiers and civilians who have been killed, neither do we forget the thousands of wounded soldiers, whose lives will never be the same.  It's a lot of sorrow to carry in our hearts. 

For me it is a challenge to deal with all this emotion. I am now working for All Israel News as a proof editor, so I have to read and correct nearly all the articles coming in. I am enjoying this job but it does make it difficult to turn off from the war. I, like all Israelis, are deep down weary of it all. This war is a marathon, not a sprint, and I fear the highest hill is still before us, while the finish line is nowhere in sight. Still, I feel we have passed a turning point with the pager attack. The stalemate is broken and we can see victory ahead, albeit yet far off in the distance.

Meanwhile life has to go on. I cannot complain since I have not suffered personally either physically or in the loss of any very close friends.  I still have food on the table, water in the tap, a roof over my head and electricity in the mains. We cannot take any of these things for granted, and I am deeply grateful for them. All the trials and difficulties of regular life continue unabated, however. Dealing with the bureaucracy and the health system is even more challenging than normal since a large portion of the work force has been called up for army service. 

This video shows life in Jerusalem in the midst of the war : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbY9xuX72oM

I am also still writing the occasional article published in All Israel News. Here is the link to the latest one: https://allisrael.com/blog/israel-he-who-contends-with-god

This link will take you to all the articles I have published so far:

 https://allisrael.com/search?addsearch=talia%20voice

I know I am a bit biased, but I recommend All Israel News for factual, up-to-date reporting of developments in Israel. It is written by Israeli believers for the evangelical audience. The news section gives only the news without commentary and it is gleaned from reliable sources, updated several times a day. Opinion articles and blogs are in a separate section. 

I feel this is an important ministry and contribution to the war effort in disseminating trustworthy information to the evangelical world so that you can pray with understanding, and in the Spirit. The prayers of believers all over the world are essential and I believe they are having great effect in the heavenly places. I believe that Israel's astounding successes in recent weeks are directly due to the prayers of believers here and around the world. It is also deeply encouraging for those of us living here and a powerful witness to all Israelis, Jew and Arab alike. I sense a change in the spiritual atmosphere here as more people are beginning to acknowledge God and seek him. Please keep praying that more and more people, Jew, Arab and Gentile will repent and call upon God in these days. 

The link below explains why the support of Christians, especially those who come to visit or volunteer, is so appreciated by Israelis at this time: https://allisrael.com/running-into-the-fire-israeli-tour-guide-explains-why-christians-still-come-to-israel

We have just finished the Biblical Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah. Little is said in the Bible about how this feast should be celebrated, except by the blowing of trumpets or the shofar (a ram's horn). This morning a friend sent me this Instagram video of Israeli soldiers praying and blowing the shofar before entering the battle in Lebanon (see the Bible verse at the top). 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAm0aCwNLFV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link  

 Here is a prayer request I just received, 

The parents of the late X (murdered in the attack in Jaffa) are both Greek doctors, Christian believers. They have been in Israel for over 35 years out of a desire to bless the Jewish people, and work at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. They occasionally come to the meetings of the Messianic community in Jerusalem.

The son X just finished architecture studies and returned to the Lord with all his heart, 26 years old. He is their only son, and was murdered in an attack in Jaffa last week. Pray for them at this time with this huge loss.  

(I have removed the names to protect their identity- God knows who they are)

With this I will close and please keep praying - your prayers matter more than you can know. 

APOCALYPSE NOW?

Apocalypse is one of those words that has changed its meaning in modern times due to its usage in popular films, books and in the media. It has come to mean a total, devastating, world destroying war such as those prophesied in the Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation (which in Greek is the Book of the Apocalypse). The meaning of 'apocalypse' in Greek however is simply 'revelation' or 'unveiling'.  The Book of Revelation is the prophetic account of the end-times revelation of Yeshua (Jesus) culminating in his second coming as conquering king. 

Joel Rosenberg, in a recent interview with Janet Parshall on Moody Radio, claimed that "we are facing an apocalyptic war" and said that God is "shaking Israel" (1). 

Rosenberg was referring to the current situation Israel is facing in the north in which Hezbollah is firing rockets, missiles and suicide drones into Israeli territory and communities, a situation that is escalating daily. Since Hezbollah began attacking Israel on 8th of October it has fired at least 5,000 rockets, missiles and armed drones into Israel forcing the evacuation of around 80,000 of the inhabitants of the border regions. These people have left their homes, farms and businesses and have been living for over 8 months now in hotels or rented apartments at the government's expense, and they have no idea when they will be able to return. At least 1000 homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged.

                                https://allisrael.com/

Although most residents have left these northern settlements there remain two groups of people. The police, first responders, fire fighters, volunteer 'home guards', and those maintaining essential infrastructure and services are one group, but the other comprises many elderly who prefer to 'die in their own homes' and those families whose financial resources are insufficient to enable them to relocate (even with government help). Most of these are living in bomb shelters and surviving on food brought in by various volunteer organizations. 

THE MINISTRY OF THE KIRYAT SHMONA CONGREGATION

One of those volunteer organizations is the Messianic Congregation of Kiryat Shmona. Most of the 23,000 residents of this northern city were evacuated and the members of the congregation relocated to Poriya, near Tiberias. Some however remained, or travel each day, to cook between 500 -1250 hot meals every day for soldiers and others who are still in the area. 

On the 24th of May, a rocket fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon landed just outside their newly acquired premises, causing considerable damage. All the workers had already gone home for the day, and there were no injuries. Straight away these brave people began to clear up the mess, and even before repairs were begun, they were back in production.  You can see and hear more about this amazing ministry in the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0omb6UzBCcQ

THE NORTH IS BURNING

 We are experiencing a hotter than normal summer this year. In the intense summer heat the vegetation is tinder dry and even a small, red-hot piece of shrapnel from an intercepted rocket can ignite a fire. Many fires are burning every day, and an estimated 20,000 acres of beautiful oak forest and Mediterranean shrubland, much of it in national parks, have already burned. Orchards and farmland have also been burned and homes threatened by fire.  One farmer lost his entire summer grazing land for his 1000 head of cattle. Another lost thousands of chickens when his farm was hit by a missile this week. Yesterday (29/06) a missile killed a horse and its foal belonging to a 14-yr-old girl. This situation cannot continue, and no nation should have to tolerate it. 

Until now both Hezbollah and Israel have been operating on a kind of 'tit for tat' policy, but the kind and intensity of attacks is escalating daily. Israel has been trying to keep the north 'on hold' while it concentrates its efforts in Gaza. 

THE IDF CONTINUES TO FIGHT IN GAZA

Yesterday (24 June) the IDF announced that its operation in Rafiah (in southern Gaza) was essentially complete and the remaining Hamas militants there can no longer operate as a coordinated army.  This means that Israel can now scale down the fighting in Gaza, but it does not yet mean the end of the war there. There are still many groups of Hamas fighters continuing a guerilla-type war, popping up from hiding places and attacking Israeli forces, and booby trapping roads and buildings. Hamas operatives are still managing from time to time to fire rockets and missiles into Israeli territory from Gaza. The IDF is continuing to search for and destroy these isolated groups of fighters and the tunnels and ordnance remaining. This process will probably continue for some months. 

There are even reports (2) that Hamas is attempting to recruit and train 16-18 year old boys to replace the approximately 14,000 terrorists that Israel has eliminated so far, the 4000 captives and the many more who have been wounded. 

120 HOSTAGES REMAIN IN GAZA

We are all hoping and praying that the remaining 120 Israeli hostages held in Gaza can be rescued somehow. It is estimated that only around 50-60 of these remain alive, but it is important for the families, and for national conscience, to rescue all the living hostages and return the dead bodies for proper burial. The fear is that, as the IDF closes in, Hamas may simply kill the remaining hostages, or that they will be accidentally killed by our forces.  

As each day passes, the physical and mental condition of the hostages is deteriorating. They are being held in inhumane conditions, with little food, no medicine, poor hygiene, and no access to fresh air and sunshine. As we have learned from those hostages rescued they are being  physically, sexually and emotionally abused, and some are being held in family homes where they are essentially treated as slaves. It is believed that some of the women, raped by Hamas terrorists, are now pregnant, and as we approach the 9th month since they were captured, their babies may be born soon. 

HEZBOLLAH AND THE NORTH

As things are 'winding down' in Gaza our attention is shifting to the northern border situation which is reaching flashpoint. A full scale war with Hezbollah seems imminent. Months of negotiations have failed. Hezbollah is scaling up the number, kind and sophistication of weapons being used against us. It is also attacking deeper and deeper into Israeli territory. 

One day last week they published drone footage demonstrating that they know the location of sensitive military bases and sites, and civilian infrastructure such as power stations, desalination plants, factories etc. They threaten to attack Israel's ports and airports, our offshore gas rig, the Dimona nuclear plant, the ammonia storage plant near Haifa,  and other critical military and civilian installations. They boast that they have 150,000 missiles that can reach any target in Israel, even as far as Eilat, with pinpoint accuracy.  

 A few days ago Hezbollah leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered his first public speech since October 7. I have not been able to find a full translation of his speech but he devoted a large part of his one and a half hour speech to warning Israel of the consequences should we attack. He also for the first time threatened another country, Cyprus, should Israeli military forces to use the British Airforce bases on that island. Cyprus is an EU member and any attack on it would therefore draw the entire European Union into the war. 

The Iranian delegation to the United Nations threatened Israel with a "war of annihilation" if it attacked Lebanon, and stated that "Despite the fact that Iran sees Israel's propaganda about its intention to attack Lebanon as psychological warfare, if it launches a full-scale military attack, a war of annihilation will begin. All options, including the full involvement of all resistance fronts, are on the table.” The 'resistance fronts' referred to here include not only Hamas and Hezbollah but the Houthis in Yemen, the Iranian backed militias in Iraq and Syria, and of course Iran itself. I have also seen videos of Afghani and Pakistani fighters arriving in Lebanon to booster the Hezbollah forces, but Hezbollah denies this. 

It is believed that Hezbollah can muster around 100,000 ground troops and has a massive arsenal of at least 150,000 rockets, missiles and unmanned aircraft all aimed at Israel. In addition Iran has cruise and ballistic missiles, and possibly even some nuclear warheads. 

Today, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz responded by saying, "Iran threatens to destroy Israel if we fully respond to Hezbollah's attacks from Lebanon. My response to Iran is clear:

1. If Hezbollah does not cease fire and withdraw from southern Lebanon, we will act with full force until security is restored and residents can return home.

2. A regime that threatens destruction deserves to be destroyed."

As the rhetoric heats up and last minute attempts at negotiation are held, many governments are advising their citizens to leave Lebanon. France has already begun evacuating their citizens and it is estimated that there are around 23,000 French citizens in Lebanon. Canada has 45,000 citizens in Lebanon and the USA at least 5,000.  These figures include bi-nationals, not all of whom will wish to leave, but even so, the evacuation of those who do is a massive undertaking. The US has already chartered a Greek cruise liner to evacuate its citizens.

Here in Israel war preparations are well advanced. Soldiers are training to fight on the very rugged and heavily wooded terrain of the northern border area, a very different situation to the mainly, flat, barren landscape of Gaza. On the Home Front we are being told to prepare our shelters, our 'grab bags' and our emergency supplies. 

In the opening days of all out war with Hezbollah we can expect to be hit with thousands of missiles every day. This will overwhelm our defense systems and we can expect extensive damage to infrastructure (especially to electricity and water). Hospitals are preparing to receive thousands of both military and civilian casualties. The food industry is stocking up massive food warehouses and fortifying some supermarkets which will remain open 24/7 if needed. They are also checking the 'combat ration' packs which contain enough for a family for 3 days, and will be distributed to households if needed. 

 We ordinary inhabitants of Israel are all waiting with baited breath to see what will happen. Although we hope for a negotiated settlement, few believe it can happen. All sides claim they don't want a war, but Hezbollah also doesn't want to stop firing missiles at us, and Israel can no longer tolerate the situation in which 80,000 of its citizens cannot return to their homes. Something has to be done. There is no doubt that Iran means what it says and a war with Hezbollah may well escalate to a regional, if not world-wide, war of apocalyptic scale. 

Israel however has a secret weapon. We are backed by the LORD God of Israel, and He has promised that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and the prophet Micah said,

But now many nations

    are gathered against you.

They say, “Let her be defiled,

    let our eyes gloat over Zion!”

12 

But they do not know

    the thoughts of the Lord;

they do not understand his plan,

    that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

13 

“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion,

    for I will give you horns of iron;

I will give you hooves of bronze,

    and you will break to pieces many nations.”

Micah 4 : 11-13

Below are some video links I would recommend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss3LQFM8F6U  situation in north

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QZ-R_g_M6o&rco=1 How Hamas is abusing the Gazan  people  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcfHJ-yeaDY

https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/pdf/PDF_06_032_2.pdf

history of Israel  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Uqy2elngA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBwA4k6qvdY  Alon Levy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzAzJHbjSe0   Melanie Phillips

References:

1. Joel Rosenberg tells Janet Parshall, ‘We are facing an apocalyptic war’ and says God is ‘shaking Israel’ | All Israel News

2. https://allisrael.com/hamas-attempts-to-rehabilitate-itself-in-gaza-recruiting-teenage-boys-for-money