March 14, 2019: Two rockets have been fired from Hamas in the Gaza Strip towards Tel Aviv, Israel. Sirens were activated in Tel Aviv. Below is video of the Iron Dome intercept of the two missiles over the sky line of Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called an emergency meeting. Israel is responding with rocket strikes on terrorist sites in Gaza. Stay tuned…
Ezekiel and Zephaniah had some things to say about the Gaza Strip…
Ezekiel 25:15-17 Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance on them.”
Ezekiel 25:15-17 Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance on them.”
See also Zephaniah 2:4-5.
Ancient Philistia or the Philistines are the people who occupied what is the modern day Gaza Strip.
See link below for additional analysis.
November 12, 2018: Hamas has launched over 370 missiles and counting from the Gaza Strip into Israel. This is the largest assault to date by Hamas. Air raid sirens have blared repeatedly. One Israeli citizen has been killed. Over 30 Israeli citizens have been injured as of this post.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has indicated Hamas has crossed a “red line”. The IDF promises Hamas an “Iron Fist” of a response. 70+ targets have been destroyed per the IDF including a Hamas television station. Al-Aqsa News has been eliminated.
Photo: Times of Israel
“The resistance factions’ joint command center is holding a serious conversation about expanding its range of fire. Ashkelon is just the beginning. Approximately one million Zionists will be within the range of our missiles if the Zionist enemy’s decision is to continue its aggression,” said Abu Obeida, Hamas Spokesman.
Israel is moving more military hardware and troops to the border of Gaza.
We struck Hamas’ military intelligence HQ in response to the 300+ rockets that terrorists in #Gaza fired at #Israel. This is where Hamas' intelligence operatives gathered information to launch attacks on Israelis. Hamas intentionally established their HQ next to a school. pic.twitter.com/nuHoLmlcD9
Zephaniah 2:4-5 For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
See also Ezekiel 25:15-17
Developing Breaking Story…
See link below for additional analysis.
July 14, 2018: It has been an active day in Israel near the Gaza Strip. Currently, over 200 mortars and missiles have been launched into Israel from Gaza. A neighborhood and synagogue in Sderot have been damaged with injuries. Here is a recap provided by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) via Twitter.
In the tweet below, here is a list of Israeli towns that have come under red alert sirens.
Over the last 15 hours civilians in these cities heard more than 141 red alert sirens as more than 60 rockets rained down on southern Israel pic.twitter.com/jjq19DSmOt
Here is Israel’s response courtesy of the IDF twitter feed.
Over the last hour, IDF fighter jets targeted dozens of military targets in four Hamas military compounds throughout the Gaza Strip. The focus of the wide-scale strike was a Hamas Battalion HQ in Beit Lahia pic.twitter.com/nDIxRA4ovn
“The Hamas terror group is responsible for everything that goes on in and from the Gaza Strip and it will bear the responsibility for the situation,” IDF Spokesperson.
“The IDF hit Hamas with the harshest blow since Operation Protective Edge and we will intensify our reaction as much as necessary. If Hamas does not understand the message today, it will understand tomorrow,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
See Prime Minister Netanyahu’s complete remarks below.
In consultation with the Minister of Defense, the Chief-of-Staff and the top security command of the State of Israel, we have decided on strong action against Hamas terrorism. pic.twitter.com/dJOOYT8PPr
Ezekiel 25:15-17 Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance on them.”
Ancient Philistia or the Philistines are the people who occupied what is the modern day Gaza Strip. The reference to the Cherethites is thought to be a group of people from the island of Crete. Historically, they relocated to Philistia. At one time, the Cherethites were security for King David of Israel. The name in the Hebrew means “executioners”.
See video link below for analysis and geography.
June 20, 2018: Military activity is increasing in and around the Gaza Strip again. Israel has responded to a variety of arson tactics and missiles utilized by terrorists.
Per Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas has fired 45 plus rockets and mortars into Israel. Targets include neighborhoods, private property, and schools. Civilians, not military installations, were targeted.
While Hamas aims rockets at Israeli civilians, the IDF strikes Hamas terror targets. This is terrorism versus defense Read more about this morning's events here: https://t.co/FvBnVV1xDFpic.twitter.com/d6IoIw6zpN
Israel responded with 3 waves of attacks on Hamas military targets.
Terrorist activity has continued for weeks from the Gaza Strip. Palestinians have attached explosives to different kinds of aerial devices which fly into Israel. The wind from the Mediterranean Sea blows the air born devices into Israel. As a result, fires have destroyed private property and crops.
The term “device” is used loosely. These “devices” include kites, birthday balloons, and condoms. Explosives are attached. In some cases, a metal mesh pouch will hold burning coal or soaked flammable rags. The wind driven “devices” are crudely constructed but effective.
“They are not toys, they are weapons that are intended to kill and inflict damage,” IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.
In response to over 45 rockets launched by Hamas towards southern Israeli communities, the IDF targeted military objectives in the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas pic.twitter.com/1UvzPK9JAm
A particular curiosity is the use of condoms. Where did they come from? The United Nations World Health Organization denies distributing condoms to the Palestinians… allegedly.
Palestinian prepares a condom & explosives for launch into Israel.
Israel has countered the “devices” from the Gaza Strip by utilizing drones. Israel is looking to stop helium deliveries to the Palestinian people. Warning shots are being fired at manufacturers of such “devices”.
“If someone shoots at your family, you shoot at him… if someone sends burning and exploding balloons, you shoot at him. It is so obvious that I find it hard to believe that I need to explain,” Education Minister Naftali Bennett.
Zephaniah 2:4-5 For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
Developing Breaking Story…
Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash 90
May 29, 2018: Hamas and Islamic Jihad continue to fire multiple rounds of mortar shells into southern Israel. Sirens continue to blare across southern Israel. This is reported to be the heaviest amount of Gaza mortar fire in close to four years.
“Israel will extract a heavy price from anyone who tries to harm it,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Outrage was expressed by politicians across Israel. The largest grievance filed was over Hamas targeting a preschool.
“Shooting mortars at a preschool crosses a serious red line. We cannot allow terrorist organizations to hurt and undermine the security of the children and other residents of the Gaza envelope towns.” Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein
See video link for additional geography and analysis.
UN Mideast Envoy Nickolay Mladenov expressed condemnation over targeting a preschool.
“…deeply concerned by the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards communities in southern Israel…. hit in the immediate vicinity of a kindergarten and could have killed or injured children. Such attacks are unacceptable and undermine the serious efforts by the international community to improve the situation in Gaza.” UN Mideast Envoy Nickolay Mladenov
Israel is responding…
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organizations commited acts of terrorism against Israel throughout the day pic.twitter.com/LjqzOrur92
Prime Minister Netanyahu took the time to address Israeli concerns with Iran in the northern part of Israel in the Golan Heights.
“We will not allow Iran to entrench itself in Syria and act against us, and to manufacture weapons in Lebanon. Iran needs to leave Syria entirely. In any event, we will act according to our interests, with or without understandings. We will defend ourselves by ourselves, since we are determined to ensure our future.” -Benjamin Netanyahu
Genesis 16:11-12 “And the angel of the LORD said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has listened to your affliction. He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”
These are the descendants of Ishmael…
May 15, 2018: Nakba Day
The last two months of riots have all been leading up to May 15 or "Nakba Day" when Hamas is planning a mass infiltration, but the IDF won't let it happen pic.twitter.com/97EreRQ5To
Nakba is the word for “catastrophe” in Arabic. Palestinians remember the day after Israeli independence in 1948. The Palestinians were removed from their land and scattered because of the Jewish “occupation”.
Palestinians have a key as symbol of remembrance. The key is a reminder of the houses they were forced out of when Israel occupied the land. The hope is to take back the land and their homes.
See video link for additional analysis.
Typically, the day is commemorated with skirmishes against the Israeli Defense Forces. Activities include Molotov cocktails, throwing rocks, burning tires, roadside bombs, terror kites, arson, grenades, pipe bombs, and destruction of property.
Palestinian protests on the Gaza/Israeli border have been occurring for weeks. Yesterday, a terror attack was foiled by the Israeli Defense Forces. At least 59 Palestinians were killed along with over 2,800 injuries on May 14 alone. This took place as the United States moved its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
There has been international outcry for excessive force used by Israel. The IDF dropped leaflets as warnings against further violence. Israel has responded by gun fire, tear gas, and air to ground missiles.
Inside the Gaza Strip, the terrorist group Hamas is threatening more violence. In response, Israel has indicated it will assassinate Hamas leadership if the violence continues. Israel sent a message to Hamas through the Egyptian press.
“If the protests continue, the assassinations will return,” Israeli Security Official.
Ezekiel 25:15-17 Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance on them.”
See also Zephaniah 2:5-7.
Philistia or the Philistines are the people who make up what is the modern-day Gaza Strip. This group is associated with Hamas and Sunni Muslims.
Click on video link for geography and additional analysis.
February 2018: Living conditions in the Gaza Strip continue to decline. Fuel for electricity continues to be in short supply. Currently there is only enough fuel to accommodate 4 hours of electricity per day. With the lack of electricity, hundreds of tons of food are spoiling.
The World Health Organization has recently delivered 5+ tons of medical supplies, medicine, and equipment. As a result, labs and blood supplies are being severely hampered.
Gaza is reported to 14 hospitals. 300,000 patients are in need of care. Over 6,000 health care workers have not been paid since the summer of 2014. Doctors who have been out of practice for over 10 years are returning to work free of charge to fill the gaps.
February 17, 2018: Palestinians rigged an explosive device to a Palestinian flag on the border with Israel. An explosion occurred when Israeli troops attempted to remove the flag. Four Israeli soldiers were injured.
“The incident on the Gaza border was a very serious one. We will respond in kind. I am sending to the wounded my wishes for a speedy recovery,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel wasted no time responding. The terrorist organization Hamas was targeted. Tunnels, military compounds, and ammunition sites were destroyed.
