Deuteronomy 20:3
He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
A Second Direct Attack From Iran
The October 1st Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel included over 200 ballistic ground-to-ground missiles targeting the entire populated areas in the land of Israel. Thankfully, most were intercepted by the IDF’s multi-layered air defense network. US forces in the region also intercepted some of the Iranian missiles.
[Picture From Facebook – the remains of a ballistic missile in the Dead Sea]
The IRGC, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an Iranian military arm, excuse for the missile strike was retaliation for the assassinations of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27th, as well as the killing of Lebanese and Palestinian people.
This was Iran’s second attack on Israel after its very first direct attack on Israel on the night of April 13th, 2024 with ballistic and cruise missiles and bomb-laden unmanned aerial vehicles. That strike was a response to the Israeli air strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus that killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force.
In addition to the usual use of its many proxies, Iran has attacked all of Israel directly by firing more than 300 missiles and suicide drones.
In response, Israel has launched a series of missile strikes on Iranian military sites, including one near Isfahan, Iran’s main nuclear research facility as well as other strategic military strikes. According to many Israeli opinions, it was a weak symbolic attack yielding to Biden’s request to avoid escalation. Nevertheless, it had some significance in exposing Iran’s weak defense systems.
The second Iranian attack October 1st sent the entire Israeli population to bomb shelters while Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles everywhere.
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran “made a big mistake and will pay for it” and that Iran “does not understand” Israel’s “determination to retaliate” against its enemies. “They will understand,” said Netanyahu. “We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us – we will attack.”
(Picture of a Bibi from USA Today)
In the two attacks, Iran has fired about 500 missiles and drones, and thank God, not a single Israeli has been killed. There have been just a few injuries and little damage.
Now the question is how and when Israel’s retaliation will occur. Israel has several options.
Iran’s Nuclear Weapon
Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon is an existential threat to the Jewish state. striking Iranian nuclear facilities would be Israel’s first response to the Iranian massive attack.
However, while still claiming that America’s commitment continues to be very clear and ironclad on Israel’s security, US President Biden demands “an Israeli response that will look powerful but will not ignite the region and still put an end to the story.”
U.S. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, is due to arrive in Israel over the weekend for what will likely be a series of meetings to discuss the situation. The main concern of the U.S. is that the Gulf States will be harmed as a result of Israel igniting the region through a massive attack on Iran’s oil and/or nuclear facilities. There were media reports of Iran threatening Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states oil facilities should Israel attack the same Iranian facilities.
Lt. Gen. Michael Kurilla testifies before the Senate Armed Services committee during his confirmation hearing on Feb. 8. (Susan Walsh/AP) Picture from DefenseNews
PM Netanyahu has threatened Iranian nuclear ambition for many years. Many in Israel see this planned retaliation as a window of opportunity for Netanyahu to do so. However, Israel has to consider the complexities and numerous consequences of such a strike. To be well protected, Iran has intentionally spread the nuclear sites across the country. The sites are hidden under rocky mountains, more than 1,000 miles away from Israeli Air Force bases, making it hard if not impossible to be targeted and cause severe damage.
However, Israel has spent years developing capabilities not yet seen in action.
The attacks on Isfahan and in Yemen demonstrate the Israeli air force can reach anywhere.
American Directives
President Joe Biden suggested last week that Israel should not strike Iran’s oil and that he opposed strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Nevertheless, Israel is considering attacking Iran’s oil facilities or ports. Oil is critical to Iran. This could have severe consequences on global oil markets.
What Will Israel Do?
Another option is to strike government symbols, or military targets. Striking Iran’s missile depots would limit Iran’s capability to manufacture missiles. Such an attack would ignite the weapons and produce a spectacle for all the world to see. Hopefully, this would reinforce Israel’s deterrence among its enemies in the region. Can Israel eliminate all the threats from the head of the octopus and its proxies by using only military force?
We need to pray for wisdom to make the right decision at the right time. With God’s help, we pray for a supernatural victory.
“As long as the enemy threatens our existence and the peace of our country, we will continue to fight. As long as our hostages are still in Gaza, we will continue to fight,” Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded television address, vowing not to give up on the “sacred mission” of achieving the war’s goals.
Last year on Yom Kippur, Israelis observed the holy day as usual – kids riding bicycles in the streets and people attending local synagogues. Then October 7th happened – Black Sabbath!. This year many have truly joined in the whole month of repentance leading up to tonight – Yom Kippur. We pray that the Lord touch our hearts as in the days of Esther, when the whole nation participated in repentance and fasting.
pray for our people in the synagogues that as they chant the regular prayers of repentance the Lord touch those hearts that truly seek Him, to return to Him through our Messiah Yeshua and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
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