War

The Miracle of Purim

February 24, 2024 By Bella Davidov Leave a Comment

In the book of Esther, the administrator to the King of Persia was Haman the Agagite who held the second highest position in the land. Like the antichrist, Haman was moved by Satan to totally eradicate the Jews who lived in the Kingdom of the Medes and Persians during the reign of King Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes I) 486-465,64 B.C.

Haman hated Mordecai the Jew. Since Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman or pay him homage like everyone else in the king’s court, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordecai. When Haman learned that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people living throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Readings from Esther 3:5-14

“In the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot, hence the word Purim), before Haman to determine the day and the month of the Jewish massacre until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.”

Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore, it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it please the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.” (Esther 3:8)

The king refused to take the bribe but granted Haman his request. He gave Haman, the enemy of the Jews his signet and told Haman to do to the Jews as he pleased. So, in the name of Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring, the decree was written to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month – the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.

Mordecai, a God-fearing Jew, had raised orphan Hadassah (later named Esther) to be a God-fearing young lady. Hadassah was the most beautiful of all the women selected for the harem and was chosen by the King of Persia to be his queen in place of Queen Vashti. (Esther 2:17)

Mordecai, however, instructed Esther not to reveal her heritage.

While Esther was at the king’s harem, Mordecai learned about Haman’s plan, and the king’s edict to destroy the Jewish people. Mordecai then ordered Queen Esther to appear before the king and plead for the survival of her people.

Mordecai challenged Esther by saying: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-16

Queen Esther knew that only another royal decree issued by the king could save her people. No Persian royal decree could be rescinded. She had to arrange an audience with the King.

Esther instructed all the Jews in the capital city of Susa to fast for three days, neither eating nor drinking for a full three days and nights during which time she and her maids would likewise fast.

And Queen Esther declared: “so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” Esther 4:15-17 (Today, in commemoration of that fast, many Jews fast the day before Purim, praying for God’s continual preservation of Israel.)

In Persia, it was illegal to come before the king uninvited unless he extended his royal scepter.

Nevertheless, on the third day of the fast, Esther, dressed in her royal attire, appeared in front of the hall where the king sat on his throne. When the king saw his beautiful queen, he remembered how much he loved her and extended the golden royal scepter, inviting her to approach him.

“what is your request and I will grant you up to half the kingdom.” said the king.

Esther requested that the king attend a private banquet she had prepared in his honor and bring Haman as a guest. Neither of them knew that Esther was Jewish.

As they were enjoying the food and wine, the king sensed there was something more and asked her again, “what is your request, and I will grant it up to half the kingdom.”

Esther requested that they come again the next day to a second private banquet.

Haman was elated to realize that he was the only one, besides the king who was invited by the queen to the private banquet. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate still ignoring him, showing him no respect, he was again filled with rage.

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home to boast to all his friends about his vast wealth, his many sons, and the fact that the king honored him in so many ways and elevated him above all others in the kingdom so much so that he was the only one invited to accompany the king to the Queen’s banquet.

Even with his accomplishments and success, Mordechai’s refusal to bow down to him enraged him. Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends suggested he erect a high pole up and hang Mordechai on it. This idea delighted Haman, and so he had the pole set up and went happily to the banquet.

As they were enjoying the food and drinks, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

This time, Queen Esther revealed she was Jewish and asked that her life and the lives of her Jewish people be spared.

“This is my request, for I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. Had we merely been sold as slaves, I would have kept quiet and not disturb the king.” (Esther 5:4)

When the king asked who would dare do such a thing, Esther pointed to Haman and said, “An adversary and enemy! This wicked Haman!” The king was enraged and went out to the garden to absorb all this new twist of events.

Haman, terrified about what the king would do to him, fell on Esther’s couch and begged Esther for his life. At that very moment, the King returned from the palace garden to see Haman falling on the couch where his beloved Esther was reclining. In his rage he exclaimed,

“Will he (Haman) even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” (Esther 5:8)

When one of his eunuchs told the king that Haman had a very high pole set up to hang Mordechai the Jew, the king ordered Haman to hang on it instead of Mordechai.

The king gave Haman’s estate to Esther, and after learning how Esther was related to Mordechai he gave Mordechai the honor of being in the highest position that Haman had held, second only to the king, and gave him the signet ring he took from Haman.

Then Esther begged the king to save the Jews:

“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” (Esther 8:5-6 NIV)

The king gave Esther and Mordechai permission to write a new order and seal it with the signet ring he gave to Mordechai. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and every nationality in the kingdom.

The new edict granted the Jews in every province the right to defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.

And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews, it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. (Esther 8:15-17)

Thus the Purim holiday was established for all generations.

Although God’s name is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, His sovereignty and Presence are evident as He brings a perfect ending to what seems to be a disastrous situation.

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24

The Miracle of Purim was the Turnaround of Events

On the same date, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to destroy them, was the time that the new edict and decree of the king was to be executed. On that day, the opposite occurred (Haafoh hu in Hebrew), in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them. The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people. (Esther 9:1-2)

(Image Attribution: Jared Subia, Unsplash)

Netanyahu’s Impossible Choice

February 13, 2024 By Bella Davidov Leave a Comment

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever…” Exodus 14:13

“The LORD is a man of war…“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.” Exodus 15:1, 6 (NKJ)

Picture from facebook: The title on this photo translated is: “With God’s help, there is going to be a great miracle”. The most repeated photographs of those who were kidnapped are of the red-headed boys of the Bibas family. Yarden and Shiri Bibas and their 9-month-old and 4-year-old sons Kfir and Ariel were kidnapped from their home on October 7th. They are still held hostage.

Choices and Decisions in Wartime

Educated at a top private school in England, the Britisher Alan Turing was considered a mathematics genius from an early age. He entered the University of Cambridge to study mathematics in 1931. He was already working part-time for the British Government’s Code and Cypher School before World War II with Germany broke out in September 1939. Turing then accepted a full-time, top-secret post at the British Army War-time Headquarters in Buckinghamshire, along with a team of other mathematical geniuses to head the development of a code-breaking machine that would decipher the military codes of the Enigma, the German devise used to encode strategic messages during the war.

After many unsuccessful tries, and very close to the deadline given by his employer, Turing’s machine was finally able to crack the German Enigma code just as the Germans planned to blow up a British war vessel with 500 hundred men on board. The team members were excited at the possibility of saving the men’s lives and hurried to make a phone call to inform headquarters of the good news. However, Turing grabbed the phone and said: “No, we are not going to disclose this breakthrough that would let the Germans know that we have decoded the Enigma. They will then destroy it and build another one. We must guard this secret even from our military.” All agreed except one whose brother was on board the vessel. He begged Turing to save his brother’s life. It was a difficult decision for Turing but with much determination, he declared that winning the war and saving millions of lives took precedence over saving a few hundred lives.

Subsequently, for the rest of the war, Turing’s machine supplied the Allies with large quantities of military intelligence. By early 1942, it had decoded monthly about 39,000 intercepted messages, a figure that rose to over 84,000 per month—two messages every minute, day and night. In 1942, Turing also devised the first systematic method for decoding messages encrypted by the sophisticated German cipher machine that the British called “Tunny.”

In the end, thanks to Turing, the war was shortened by two years, and about 14 million lives were saved.

A Similar Dilemma

In today’s war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli PM Netanyahu and the war cabinet now face a similar dilemma.

On October 7, 2023, on the last day of the holiday of Succoth, Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel via land, air, and sea, committing atrocities upon residents in the entire region. During the massacre, the terrorists murdered in cold blood more than 1,200 innocent civilians, including infants, young and old, and youth who were partying at a peace music festival. Additionally, Hamas abducted 240 Israelis into the Gaza Strip.

It was a declaration of war that Israel has since been fighting. Israel has three main goals:

destroying Hamas as a military and ruling force in Gaza;
the return of the hostages; and
ensuring Hamas will no longer threaten Israel’s security.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed again a few days ago to continue the offensive war in the Gaza Strip until achieving a “crushing victory” against Hamas.

At the end of November 2023, a week’s ceasefire was declared. Hamas released 105 hostages and Israel freed 240 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, after Hamas violated the pause, the Israeli army resumed fighting. To date, there remain some 136 hostages, some alive and some murdered (the IDF has so far confirmed 31 hostages who have been killed, including the bodies of 2 soldiers kept by Hamas since 2014.)

Presently, Netanyahu refuses to accept another so-called “deal” with Hamas for the release of the remaining abducted Israelis, claiming that Hamas’ new conditions are unacceptable.

In protest, the families of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip are protesting and have recently shut down a vital road in Tel Aviv to demand an immediate deal with Hamas for the release of their loved ones. On the other hand, thousands of Israeli right-wing demonstrators protested in Jerusalem and demanded the government not stop the fighting in Gaza, even for the negotiations with Hamas, which would result in Israel losing the war.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting public pressure, including from some politicians affiliated with his War Cabinet. However, Netanyahu is standing firm. He said at a news conference a few days ago: “Giving in to the outrageous demands of Hamas will not only fail to bring about the release of the hostages but will invite an additional massacre and disaster for Israel. The day after the war is the day after Hamas; not part of Hamas, not half of Hamas,” meaning ALL of Hamas. According to Netanyahu, the Israeli army is on the way to a complete victory that will take not years but months. “We will continue until the end,” he said, “There is no other solution besides complete victory.”

As Turing’s decision was in WWII to win the war and save millions at the cost of several hundred lives, so is Netanyahu’s decision to win the war and save the entire Jewish nation, unfortunately, at the cost, if necessary, of less than a hundred precious lives.

Our Prayer Focus

In this vein, we at the prayer tent are now meeting four times a week in prayer, supplication with thanksgiving, believing for a miracle, the release of the hostages, and complete victory over Israel’s vicious enemy. As with God’s miracle when He saved the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, when He parted the Red Sea and the Israelites crossed over on dry land and He then drowned the Egyptian army that pursued them. As the Lord said then to Israel: “the Egyptians you see today, you will see no more.” The enemy of Israel was completely destroyed, while Israel was saved.

We pray for a similar miracle today, for God to bring the Israeli hostages home safely, while Hamas is completely destroyed by the collapse of their own tunnels. Hamas in Gaza we will see no more. Amen!

News Flash

Monday we got the news that 2 hostages were rescued by the IDF in a daring mission in the southern Gaza Strip. Today is the 129th day of the war – and of their captivity. This is much-welcomed news and so encouraging. Please pray for more of the same.

Please Join Us in Prayer

Please pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu – strength, health, divine guidance.
Pray that the objectives of this war are accomplished.
Pray that the objectives of the Lord concerning the salvation of souls will be accomplished.
Pray for our soldiers, our hostages, and the many wounded, widowed, and orphaned by the war.
Pray for the evacuees who are unable to return to their homes.
Pray for those of us called to pray, that we will not grow weary but continue in strength to intercede as we see things unfolding.

War of Words

January 23, 2024 By Bella Davidov Leave a Comment

Israel vs. South Africa

O God…See how your enemies growl… With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab…and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them… who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.” Psalm 83: 1-8, 12

Picture: "The Israeli delegation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) public hearings on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case South Africa v. Israel, January 11, 2024. (Photo: International Court of Justice)" Picture and caption from Mondoweiss.net — Picture: “The Israeli delegation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) public hearings on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case South Africa v. Israel, January 11, 2024. (Photo: International Court of Justice)” Picture and caption from Mondoweiss.net

Israel is facing another line of battle – a war of words. South Africa has petitioned The International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. Now Israel must defend itself in words and not in deeds. It accuses South Africa in turn of an “absurd blood libel,” that the allegations are baseless and inciteful of antisemitism. Moreover, if anyone is guilty of genocide, it is Hamas who carried out a genocidal attack on October 7.

In this war of words, the accusing South Africa must convince the ICJ that Israel acted with specific intentions to bring about the destruction of a nation, race, or religion – in this case, Gazan Palestinians. Were that Israel’s intention, there is no doubt that Israel has the military power and means to bring about the complete destruction of Gaza in a short time. Despite the sophisticated legal arguments accompanied by abstract concepts and elevated language, a simple truth emerges:

Hamas declared war against the entire nation of Israel whereas Israel responded by warring against the Hamas terror organization only.
Hamas uses its own Gazan citizens as human shields in an effort to show the world that Israel targets women and children. In fact, the Israeli army does its utmost to avoid civilian casualties.
During the three-month battle, out of a population of about 2 million, approximately only 14,000 civilians and around 9,000 Hamas fighters died, all within one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
Tragically, civilians are killed in all wars. In this war, however, the relatively small number of civilian deaths cannot support any intent on Israel’s part to commit genocide nor that genocide is taking place.

What is the International Court of Justice?

The ICJ, or World Court, based in the Hague, the Netherlands, was established in 1945 as the United Nations’ judicial arm to resolve international disputes between states and to issue advisory opinions on matters of international law at the request of UN entities.

According to international law, the legal basis for the charge of “genocide” (a 1940 term introduced by Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin to ensure the absence of impunity for mass killings like those in the Holocaust) is a specific intention to bring about the destruction of a nation, race, or religion either wholly or partially.

It will likely take years for the ICJ to examine these claims and reach a decision on their merits.

During these lengthy deliberations, South Africa hopes the Court will force Israel to stop the war in Gaza. To this end, South Africa has asked that Israel be found in violation of the Genocide Convention, be forced to cease hostilities, and take measures to provide victims with redress.

Furthermore, South Africa alleges that Israel has failed to prevent and punish incitement to genocide committed by members of the government and others.

Why is South Africa Accusing Israel of Genocide?

The case filed by South Africa is only the latest of a long series of anti-Israel positions the country has taken. In recent years, its historic alliance with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has shifted to also include Hamas, the antisemitic terror organization that controls Gaza.

Present accusations represent the most dangerous and deceptive rhetoric to date. The implied hypocrisy is that the survivors of the Shoah genocide are now themselves committing genocide, making it a powerful accusation in the war of words against Israel.

What is Behind South Africa’s Stance?

The anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian government of South Africa, the African National Congress, is likely seeking more votes in the upcoming national elections wherein the ICJ claim may provide a distraction from pressing domestic issues such as persistent unemployment, inequality, and poverty.

Last November, South Africa recalled its diplomats from Israel and called on the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other Israeli leaders for “statements of genocidal intent” and other alleged war crimes. Israel withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria for consultation.

South Africa’s legal team is led by John Dugard, who falsely accused Israel of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians when he served as the UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories during the 2000s. Now he seeks victory at the ICJ.

Also joining the South African delegation is former U.K. opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, a fierce critic of Israel who recently refused to call Hamas a terror group. Corbyn was ousted by the Labour Party after a report revealed rampant antisemitism that forced a number of Jewish members and lawmakers to leave the party at the time. Now he is seeking victory to redeem himself.

How will Israel Prove that the Accusation is Baseless?

Israel has recorded proof of the October 7 massacre demonstrating that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is in self-defense, a response to a genocidal attack against it by Hamas. Israel’s proof satisfies international law. This would convey to the Court that it would be inappropriate to order Israel to cease its defensive military operations.

Israel’s team will also emphasize the extensive precautionary measures taken by the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) to avoid disproportionately harming Palestinian civilians and Israel’s ongoing humanitarian relief to Gaza since mid-October to render baseless South Africa’s assertion that Israel is acting with genocidal intent.

Since the start of the war, Israel has transferred over 11,000 tons of medical supplies to Gaza. Israel has also transferred over 78,870 metric tons of food, 17,260 metric tons of water, and 16,210 metric tons of shelter equipment.

Israel’s team will likely rebut South Africa’s accusations by pointing to oft-repeated statements by those with actual command authority that Israel’s war is against Hamas, not Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Officials, Leaders, and Experts Around the World Rebut South Africa’s Claim

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the accusation of genocide “meritless”. It’s particularly galling, given that those who are attacking Israel – Hamas, Hizballah, the Houthis, as well as their supporter, Iran – continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews,” he said.

John Kirby, communications coordinator for the U.S. National Security Council, also called South Africa’s allegation “meritless, counterproductive, and completely without basis in fact whatsoever.”

In earlier statements, he said the term “genocide” to describe the Israeli operation is inappropriate: “What Hamas wants, make no mistake about it, is genocide. They want to wipe Israel off the map …That’s genocidal intentions,” Kirby said last December. “It is obvious that Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel’s not trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. If we’re going to start using that word – fine. Let’s use it appropriately.”

A spokesman for the German government has made it clear that Germany does not view Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide.

Retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella also has lambasted South Africa’s genocide case against Israel as an abuse of the postwar legal order.

Meanwhile, French historian Vincent Duclert, who examined France’s role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide of Tutsis, has said “a humanitarian situation, even frightening, is not enough to define genocide.”

• Some of the information in this newsletter was taken from an article by Dr. Dotan Rouss, who holds a Ph.D. in Law and was a criminal prosecutor in Israel.

Please Pray

Thank you friends for praying with us for justice. For nations and people to realize that Israel is still in the plan of God and the powers of darkness are trying to destroy her, in our time, through radical Jihadi Islam through the destruction of Israel to prevent God’s plan from being fulfilled. Thank you also for your prayers for the Israeli government, the hostages, and the many thousands who evacuated their homes along the borders where the war is still going on.

Pray against the distraction of lawfare against our government – and also against anything else that brings division and disunity to Israelis.
While Israel does its best to rid the land of terrorism both for the sake of Jewish and Arab Israelis and also for Palestinians including Gazans, please pray for success in this mission.
Please pray that Israel rescue the hostages very soon.
Pray that Hamas is Contained and Restrained in any way the Lord sees fit.
Pray for protection for the IDF and all of the non-involved citizens of Israel.
Pray that the plans of the enemy are thwarted in every way.

The Plan to Annihilate the Jews

November 1, 2023 By Bella Davidov Leave a Comment

Did Iran’s Plan Backfire?

‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. What the enemy has purposed for destruction, God will turn around for good.’ Proverbs 19:21 NIV

As we wrote in previous newsletters, the plans and purposes of the enemies of Israel and the Jews – Hamas and other terrorist organizations – are to destroy and annihilate the Jews and steal the Land of Israel they call Palestine. These goals are stated very clearly in Hamas’ creed. They are also the plans of Iran’s Ayatollah’s regime, as they’ve declared many times. For this purpose, Iran has masterminded a diabolical plan with its proxies;

to the north of Israel

Lebanon: Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists with many thousands of missiles, some of them precision-guided, and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles.)

Syria: Seventeen armed militias of various terrorist groups ready to use a very large number of missiles and UAVs Iran has transferred to Syria:

to the east of Israel

Iraq: Dozens of militias, ready to use missiles and UAVs.

to the far south of Israel

Yemen: The Houthis, equipped with Iranian long-range missiles and UAVs capable of reaching Israel.

Gaza: Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with missiles aimed to destroy the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Air Force bases. (Hamas has also devotees in the Judea and Samaria territory and among the Israeli Arabs who would join the fighting.)

Iran is counting on the success of its above-mentioned proxies to do its bidding so it will not have to be directly involved militarily in the combined attack. However, the Ayatollahs are the leaders, proclaiming that, “It is the duty of the Muslim world to save the Al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli/Zionist occupation and oppression, and to kill the invading Jews as instructed in the holy Koran.”

Iran planned to first launch a surprise simultaneous massive missile attack from all sides upon Israeli military bases and civilian facilities, along with cyber-attacks on infrastructure systems. Their tactic was to overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome and other aerial defense systems with a barrage of missiles and UAVs. This aerial and cyber-attack would destroy Israel’s ability to defend itself, clearing the way for the next phase: a ground attack.

As the aerial attack would be in progress, hundreds of thousands of terrorists would then simultaneously storm into Israel from all sides; from Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza on foot, on dirt bikes, ATVs (anti-tank vehicles), and with other vehicles equipped with anti-tank weapons, machine guns and other arms while shooting, murdering and abducting the mostly unarmed Jewish population. All means are legitimate: rape, cutting throats, burning people alive, murdering and decapitating men, women, children and babies.

Their simultaneous massive surprise attack would catch the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and intelligence off-guard. Israel would need several days to mobilize and equip the reserves. Reinforcements on various fronts would take time thereby allowing the terrorists to destroy the regular forces. This coordinated massive attack would give them final victory over the Zionist enemy, free the occupied land and El-Aqsa’ and give Palestine back to the Palestinians.

Hamas was training its people for this attack for months and there were warnings from different sources in Israel that Iran planned to use Hamas and Hezbollah for a combined attack against Israel. Unfortunately, Israel was unaware of the timing and Israeli intelligence reassured the government that Hamas was deterred and would not attack in the near future.

What Actually Happened?

While, Gaza, Lebanon and the other players were waiting for Iran’s go-ahead for the perfect time for this surprise attack on Israel, Hamas couldn’t wait and miss the opportunity to carry out this surprise attack on their own and spill Jewish blood.

This brings us to October 7th, 2023, the last day of the celebration of Sukkot in Israel. Hamas knew of the festival that took place every two years on this date near their border with Israel. The week-long Supernova music festival was entitled ‘A Journey of Unity and Love.’ Thousands of peace-loving, young Israelis gathered on Friday evening, October 6th, on the grounds of Kibbutz Re’im, 3 miles from the Gazan border.

They spent the night listening to ear-deafening music blasting from loudspeakers, dancing, and drinking. Early the next morning, the music was still blaring and the youngsters were still dancing as they hardly noticed the boom of rockets from Gaza.

One of the survivors said the following:

“It happened in an instant. The terrorists… got out of a large white vehicle, a type of van. They shot from close range, it was terrible.”

Another survivor hid under a fruit tree; “I played dead for three hours…I saw people dying all around…”

Many young Israelis were killed and many were kidnapped and taken into Gaza, some in vans and some on motorcycles. Others were ordered to march on foot at gunpoint.

Hamas just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to rampage through Israel under the umbrella of thousands of missiles they were shooting at Israel. They couldn’t wait to murder and decapitate Jewish civilians men, women, children, and babies, rape women and burn them, and throw hand grenades into homes, murdering the occupants. That same day, blood-thirsty Hamas terrorists posted grisly scenes from the attacks while Gazan men, women, and children celebrated the massacre handing out candies and other goodies. More than 1,400 Israelis died and more than 200 were taken captive.

Shockingly, there is now a ‘Holocaust denial-like phenomenon’ circulating around the world about the truth of the atrocities.

Will Iran continue its plan now that it has lost its element of surprise?

Iran boasts that it has equipped the Houthis in Yemen with missiles with a range of some 2,000 kilometers (nearly 1,250 miles) and Hezbollah with advanced rockets able to target Israeli naval vessels and Tel Aviv. Also, pro-Iran Iraqi militias are entrenched in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights.

An Israeli official has said, “Such an attack could begin within days if Iran’s Supreme Leader’s demands to stop Israeli strikes on Gaza are ignored.”

However, Iran has lost the element of surprise. As of now, Hezbollah has been carrying out frequent attacks with rockets, mortars, and guided missiles on Israeli targets in the north. Thankfully, Israeli drones have been able to identify Hezbollah fighters approaching the Israeli border, kill terrorists, and bomb Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aimed for Israel’s southernmost city of Eilat, was intercepted by the newly-developed Israeli “Chetz” (Arrow) air defense system. Citizens of Eilat reported hearing the loud sound of the blast.

As reprisal for Israeli’s downing their ‘Aerial target,’ Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi leader bragged of a ‘large number’ of drones and ballistic missiles that would hit Israel on Tuesday, and that there would be more, until ‘Israeli aggression’ stopped.

Israel announced that two ‘Hostile targets’ believed to be drones were flying in the Red Sea area Tuesday morning and were intercepted outside of Israeli territory.

In a video showing missiles from Houthis in Yemen toward Israel’s southern city of Eilat, one of the operatives can be heard proclaiming, “Death to America, death to Israel, victory for Islam.”

Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered, let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, So drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. Psalm 68:1-2

It is evident that Israel is surrounded by relentless enemies whose goal is to annihilate her. As believers, we know that behind the physical enemies is the spiritual enemy of the Most High God – satan. Satan’s plan was and is to destroy the Jewish people and Israel, thereby preventing Yeshua’s return to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

Yet, the Lord’s plans and purposes prevail and His Word never fails.

Then ‘all of Israel shall be saved…their acceptance be life from the dead.” It will be life from the dead for the world. Romans 11:26,13

“… My people Israel…I will plant them in their land. And no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them.” Amos 9:14-15

Amen and Amen

Please pray with us for God’s plans to prevail.

Stand against the “Powers of Darkness” behind The Islamic enemies around Israel and against their plans.
Pray for Israel’s Leadership, government, and army, to be ready and to be led by God’s wisdom.
Lift up in prayer the many who are mourning the death of beloved family members.
Pray for the many wounded.
Pray for intelligence, wisdom, and the ability to free those taken captive by Hamas.
Pray for comfort and protection for all who are suffering.

Israel at War

October 20, 2023 By Bella Davidov Leave a Comment

– Update From October 18

Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity (communities)… But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.” Amos 1:6-7 NKJ

Hamas, the ruling organization in the Gaza Strip, is a cruel, violent anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic, Islamist terror group that seeks to destroy Israel. As a result of constant attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel and dozens of countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization. Israel and “The Quartet on the Middle East” (US, Russia, UN, EU) imposed economic sanctions on Hamas and Gaza, including the cessation of foreign aid to the Hamas government, as well as restrictions on movement, imposed by Israel.

To lift these economic sanctions and movement restrictions, Hamas must: renounce violence against Israel, recognize Israel, and honor all previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

However, Hamas has not, and will not, recognize Israel as the legitimate State of the Jews in the Land of Israel.

Iran has been providing Hamas and the other terror organizations in Gaza with material and financial support as well as military training, and Turkey reportedly harbors some of its top leaders.

The death toll of Israelis killed by Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, is as of now at least 1,400 Israelis. The attack from Gaza included the firing of thousands of rockets on Israel and the infiltration of Israeli cities and communities near the Gazan border by more than 2,500 terrorists who butchered and tortured men, women, children, and infants, cutting babies’ throats and burning children alive. They shot parents in front of their children, and children in front of their parents.

Hamas has abducted more than 160 Israelis into Gaza. Hamas raped a young woman over and over again and may have even killed some.

Israel has responded by bombing Hamas facilities, targeting their leaders and those responsible for the brutal attack on Israel.

Israeli leaders vow that this war’s target is the elimination of Hamas once and for all. More than 300,000 Israeli military troops are waiting near the Gazan border to enter the Strip in order to achieve Israel’s goal.

However, the longer Israel waits, the more difficult the task becomes. Now, Israel is waiting for the end of Biden’s visit in order to act upon her military plans and objectives.

On this 11th day of the war, as President Biden has just arrived in Israel, new developments may change his and Israel’s plans.

His original plan was to force Israel to allow supplies for “Humanitarian aid” to enter Gaza. His help and support of Israel is mixed with his ultimate plan/desire to bring about the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip after the elimination of Hamas.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Biden was to have a summit meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, to further his plan of the “Two State solution.”

However, a new development on the ground has occurred. A Gazen hospital was hit by a rocket last night. According to multiple Israeli intelligence sources, a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rocket launch, aimed at Israel, hit the Gaza hospital killing, allegedly, hundreds of Palestinians.

“We have indication that the PIJ organization is responsible for the failed launch that hit the hospital,” stated IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. “An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the hospital at the time it was hit,” Hagari added.

“The entire world should know: It was not the Israeli army that attacked the hospital in Gaza, but the barbaric Gazan terrorists,” wrote Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.”

For years, terrorists have been using Gazan hospitals, mosques, schools, residential buildings, and other public buildings as caches for their weapons and missile launchers.

Hamas uses its population – children included – as human shields, knowing that Israeli reprisals on residential facilities will convince the world of Israel’s inhumane assaults on “innocent civilians,” thereby causing a worldly outcry against Israel to abandon her goal of eliminating the terrorists, while hundreds of missiles continue to hit Israel, targeting Israeli civilians.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has canceled the planned meeting summit with Biden and the Arab leaders scheduled for today, Wednesday.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor Mahmoud Al-Habbash has declared that Hamas’ massacre against Israeli civilians last Saturday is considered legitimate self-defense: “We are enacting our legitimate right in resisting these invaders (the Zionists) defending ourselves, and defending our holy sites and our people… This occupation is temporary. Regardless of how long it takes, and regardless of how many sacrifices there will be, this occupation will leave sooner or later.”

Under Palestinian Authority law, every terrorist who is killed attacking Israel is defined as a “Martyr” whose family is immediately rewarded by the PA with a 6,000 shekels ($1,511) grant and a 1,400 ($353) per month allowance for life.

We are praying and standing on the Word of the God of Israel.

Amos 1:6-7 NKJ: “Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity (communities)… But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.”

Zechariah 9:5: “Gaza will writhe in agony…for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king (leader.) Vs. 7: I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God.

Proverbs 19:21: “There are many plans (devices) in a man’s heart. Nevertheless, the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” (men can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose and plans will prevail.)

The Hospital Blast – Image from Times of Israel.

Please pray for this situation:

Pray that God grant wisdom and courage to PM Netanyahu as he meets with Biden.
Pray against the plans of men; that God’s plans and purposes prevail.
Pray for the right tactics to eliminate Gazan terrorists.
Pray for the safety of the hostages and their safe to their families.