Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
May 13, 2021: As of a few hours ago, Israel has launched ground forces into the conflict with Hamas. As of this posting, ground forces have not entered the Gaza Strip. Israel has called up 9,000 reservists. Israeli citizens within a few miles of the border have been ordered to their bunkers.
IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.
Of note and extreme interest are the missiles being fired toward Israel from Lebanon. Are Hezbollah and proxy Iran entering the conflict? This needs to be monitored very closely. Is Israel on the verge of fighting a war on two fronts?
BREAKING: A short while ago, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Israel.
Tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a public statement on the conflict. The goal is to restore calm and security to the nation of Israel. Netanyahu’s statement is made in Hebrew. See the English transcript below.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tonight: "We are dealing with a campaign on two fronts. The first front – Gaza. I said that we would exact a very heavy price from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations. pic.twitter.com/5eHS8QZ3Mv
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, posted: “I said that we would charge a very heavy price from Hamas. We do it and we will continue to do it with great intensity. The last word was not said and this operation will continue as long as necessary.”
The article below has a wealth of information and many photos.
At some point in the future, this is coming to what we know as the modern day Gaza Strip.
Ezekiel 25:15-17Thus 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.”
May 12, 2021: Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a phone call today.
President Erdogan has recommended “the international community to give Israel a strong and deterrent lesson”. Erdogan also called on the United Nations Security Council to give Israel “determined and clear messages”.
Erdogan also recommended an international force to be dispatched to protect the Palestinian people.
Is the current military conflict we are watching a catalyst that brings Ezekiel’s prophecy into focus.
Russia will be joined by several countries in their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). One of those countries is modern day Turkey. At some point in the future, Russia is prophesied to invade Israel. The Bible says Russia and Turkey are going to join forces.
President Joe Biden finally has a public appearance on the issue. His statement was issued by Twitter and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
One can only wonder how the world views President Biden. Are rogue states and terrorist organizations emboldened to act by perceived weakness? Will this perception allow for Russia and allies to coalesce in strength and power against Israel?
Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel would continue to take action to strike at the military capabilities of Hamas and the other terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas military wing Al-Qassam Brigades has launched 15 missiles at the Dimona Nuclear Facility in southern Israel. The facility was not hit. This will not be received well with Israeli leadership.
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
May 11, 2021: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Israel are increasing their response in the Promised Land. The campaign is broadened and intensity is magnifying. Israel has named the operation, Guardian of the Walls.
Tel Aviv has come under attack in the last 24 hours. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has been closed. A state of emergency has been declared a few miles southwest of Tel Aviv in Lod, Israel.
Missiles have been fired into the southern part of Israel and on Jerusalem as well.
Islamic Jihad has joined Hamas in the response and attack against Israel.
At least 35 are reported dead as of the posting of this article.
Below is video from the Israel Defense Forces and the effectiveness of the Iron Dome anti missile battery system.
RAW FOOTAGE: This is the moment the Iron Dome intercepted a barrage of rockets over Tel Aviv and central Israel. pic.twitter.com/8jl8OTgWCl
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement today and indicated the intervention “will take time”. Settle in, this is not ending any time soon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We are in the midst of a major campaign – Operation Guardian of the Walls. Yesterday and today, the IDF attacked hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/ET7KzCGOFs
Israel’s Air Force continues to strike targets in the Gaza Strip.
By the way, we know how this eventually ends…
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.
Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.
November 18, 2019: Four missiles were launched from Syria into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that none of the missiles reached Israel. One day later…
November 19, 2019: Israel has responded with a large scale attack on Iranian and Syrian targets in and around Damascus, Syria.
According to a report from The Times of Israel and satellite photos from ImageSat International, Iranian targets at the Damascus International Airport and the al-Mazzeh Airport were identified and struck. Both of these sites were believed to be occupied by the Iranian Quds Force. Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem. It means “Holy One”.
Photo: ImageSat International Photo: ImageSat International
Other targets during the intervention included dozens of other Quds Force locations along with Syrian military hardware. Syrian air defenses were also destroyed in the counter attack.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (British monitored) stated Quds Force arms depots in the Damascus suburbs of Kisweh and Qudsaya were obliterated.
“Our message to the leaders of Iranian is simple: You are not immune anymore. Wherever you send your octopus arms, we will hack them off.” -Naftali Bennett, Israeli Defense Minister
“I have made clear that any who attack us, we will attack them. That is what we did tonight toward military targets of the Iranian Quds Force and Syrian military targets.” -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
For more details and satellite imagery, see the link below.
November 20, 2019: Meanwhile back in the home country of Iran… The internet has been cut off to the population for going on the fourth day. There is no international access to the world for the people of Iran.
Go to Twitter and search #IranProtests. Warning! The pictures and video under this hashtag are not for the faint of heart.
The Iranian people have been cut off from the internet for the last 4 days…
Economic sanctions are taking their toll in Iran. The government is desperate for money. Gasoline is being rationed and as a result prices have spiked from 50-300%. People are struggling to buy basic goods. The citizens have taken to the streets of over 100 cities across Iran to protest.
The government has responded with live ammunition fire on the citizens. Over 1,000 people have been arrested. At least 106 have been killed along with hundreds of other injuries. Some estimates are doubled with over 200 dead. Numbers are difficult to assess due to a lack of communication inside the country. Journalists are not allowed entry into Iran at this time. See details below from Amnesty International.
Information gathered by us reveals a harrowing pattern of unlawful killings by Iranian security forces. The Iranian authorities must end this brutal & deadly crackdown immediately & show respect for human life. https://t.co/EXOIx1BNOh
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the following observation. He indicated these protests were not from the citizens of Iran.
“Friends and enemies should know we have pushed the enemy back in the military, political and security war arena. This work of these days has been security work, not from the people.” -Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
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2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel stated Russia, Iran, and Turkey would invade Israel for economic reasons. They want to steal their natural resources.
Ezekiel 38:12-13 to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth. Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’
Late May 5, 2019: Missiles continue to fly from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. And Israel continues to strike targets inside the Gaza Strip. Injuries and death are increasing on both sides of the conflict. Innocent people are the victims. Israel is targeting Hamas leadership for assassination.
The following updates are per the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Hamas and Islamic Jihad are in need of a new courier for the transfer of money from Iran. Click on the video below for the “Precision Strike”.
PRECISION STRIKE: Earlier today, we targeted Hamed Ahmed Khudari in Gaza. He was responsible for transferring Iranian money to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The funds were used to build the hundreds of rockets recently fired at Israel. Iran will need to find a new money man in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2mv1oXLaB7
President Trump has weighed in on the conflict. See his tweets below.
….To the Gazan people — these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace – it can happen!
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks.
“This morning, I instructed the IDF to continue massive attacks against terrorist elements in the Gaza Strip. I also ordered the reinforcement of the units around the Gaza Strip with armor, artillery and infantry. Hamas bears the responsibility not only for its own attacks and actions but also for the actions of Islamic Jihad, and it is paying a very heavy price for this. I ask that Israeli citizens strictly adhere to Home Front Command instructions; these instructions save lives. We are working, and will continue to work, to restore quiet and security to the residents of the south.” – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Cease fire negotiations from the United Nations (UN), Qatar, and Egypt have not been successful.
Liveuamap
See an extensive and detailed timeline of events provided in an article below from Haaretz.com. This is a great resource of happenings down to the minute.
Ezekiel and Zephaniah commented on 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 39:2 And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.
The largest peaks and mountains of Israel are located in the Golan Heights.
Click on the video link above for additional analysis.
January 2019: Iran and Israel have exchanged missiles over the Golan Heights near the Israel/Syria border. Typically, Israel is silent regarding military intervention. This time, Israel claims their actions and takes responsibility.
The following press release is from Israel Defense Forces (IDF)…
“On Sunday, Iranian Quds Forces operating in Syria launched a surface-to-surface rocket from Syria aimed at Israel’s Golan Heights. The Iron Dome Aerial Defense System intercepted the rocket.”
Local skiers on Mount Hermon saw the exchange first hand.
Israel has responded by striking Iranian military sites inside of Syria. See the IDF tweet below for details.
These are the Iranian Quds military sites in Syria that we targeted in response: 🎯 Munition storage sites 🎯 Military site located in the Damascus International Airport 🎯 Iranian intelligence site 🎯 Iranian military training camp pic.twitter.com/pzHQv81l1C
The following comments are from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement was made at the dedication of the Ramon International Airport located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel.
“Last night the air force strongly attacked Iranian targets in Syria after Iran launched a missile from there at our territory. We will not ignore such acts of aggression as Iran attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and given explicit statements by Iran that it intends to destroy Israel, as the commander of the Iranian air force has just said. We are acting against Iran and against the Syrian forces that abet the Iranian aggression. Whoever tries to hurt us – we hurt them. Whoever threatens to destroy us will bear the full responsibility.” -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
See Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments courtesy of Twitter feed.
Last night the Air Force attacked Iranian targets in Syria after Iran launched a missile from there at our territory. We will not ignore such acts of aggression as Iran attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and given statements by Iran that it intends to destroy Israel. pic.twitter.com/mBhfB8SCSL
Iranian Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh is focused on taking out Israel. The following quote was made after the missile exchange.
“We’re ready for the decisive war that will bring about Israel’s disappearance from the earth. Our young airmen are prepared for the day when Israel will be destroyed.” -Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet…
Russia will be joined by several countries with their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). One of those countries will be Persia. The country was known as Persia until the name change in the 20th century. This is modern day Iran…
Israel takes responsibility for bombing warehouse at Damascus International Airport.
The IDF has “succeeded impressively in stopping Iran’s military buildup in Syria, and in this context the IDF has attacked hundreds of times Iranian and Hezbollah targets.”
“The accumulated number of recent attacks proves that we are determined more than ever to act against Iran in Syria.” -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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
Latakia, Syria, September 17, 2018: Initial reports indicated Israel shot down a Russian IL-20 airplane. Latakia is home to a Russian Military Base. Four F16 Israeli jets were reported in the altercation. Fifteen (15) Russian service men are reported dead.
Map: Russian Defense Ministry
“Israel did not warn the command of the Russian troops in Syria about the planned operation. We received a notification via a hotline less than a minute before the strike, which did not allow the Russian aircraft to be directed to a safe zone,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.
Timeline of events provided at link below by Sputnik News.
Israel expresses sorrow for the death of the aircrew members of the Russian plane that was downed tonight due to Syrian anti-aircraft fire. Israel holds the Assad regime, whose military shot down the Russian plane, fully responsible for this incident.
Israel also holds Iran and the Hezbollah terror organization accountable for this unfortunate incident.
Overnight, IDF fighter jets targeted a facility of the Syrian Armed Forces from which systems to manufacture accurate and lethal weapons were about to be transferred on behalf of Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The IDF and the Russian army have a deconfliction system, which was agreed upon by the states’ leaders, and has proven itself many times over recent years. This system was in use tonight as well.
An initial inquiry of the incident suggests:
1. Extensive and inaccurate Syrian anti-aircraft (Surface to Air missile) fire caused the Russian plane to be hit and downed.
2. When the Syrian Army launched the missiles that hit the Russian plane, IAF jets were already within Israeli airspace.
3. During the strike against the target in Latakia, the Russian plane that was then hit was not within the area of the operation.
4. The Syrian anti-air batteries fired indiscriminately and from what we understand, did not bother to ensure that no Russian planes were in the air.
Israel will share all the relevant information with the Russian Government to review the incident and to confirm the facts in this inquiry.
“By using the Russian plane as a cover the Israeli air pilots made it vulnerable to Syrian air defense fire. As a result, the Ilyushin-20, its reflective surface being far greater than that of F-16, was downed by a missile launched with the S-200 system,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin statement, “Israel didn’t shoot down the Russian plane deliberately. It was a result of a chain of tragic circumstances.”
For detail of recent events, click on the link below from the Times of Israel.
Russia has requested the Israeli envoy to Moscow. The diplomat has arrived and discussions have started. This is a developing story. The plot thickens…
Ezekiel 38:4 And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords.
Ezekiel 39:2 And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.
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