We are now at war in Gaza with the Hamas (and other) terrorist organizations. The government has finally taken action after almost daily rocket attacks on our civilian population in the south since we unilaterally abandoned and expelled the Jewish communities in Gaza in August 2005. Some count close to 10,000 rockets and mortars have pummeled Israeli communities in the south since that time. In truth, this was an insufferable situation long before this Shabbat when Israel finally struck back in force.

Most of the world began screaming at us on Shabbat that we were using “disproportionate force”. This is a hypocritical and ludicrous accusation. Israel is forced to fight it’s enemies with one hand tied behind it’s back and now the world wants us to use just one finger. Since Hamas doesn’t have planes, we can’t use planes. The same goes for tanks. But if we were to respond to Hamas’s attacks on us with the same kind of mindless bombardment the world would be even more outraged. Remember that Hamas targets civilians almost exclusively, and children (schools) in particular. Israel is making a great effort to target only Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure. Israel has even been breaking into Hamas radio programs and placing calls to Gaza residents' phone lines warning them to get out of all buildings where Hamas is hiding their rockets and military equipment. Remember as well that the residents of Gaza voted for these unrepentant murderers. The Hamas charter calls for the total elimination of Israel and they have never budged from this declaration.

This late Israeli response comes as Israel enters into an election campaign which greatly complicates matters. The Government that is leading this war effort is composed of the same people who forced Israel to leave Gaza, and then allowed Hamas to run in the Palestinian elections and are directly responsible for the terrorist buildup in Gaza. All the Zionist political parties, even the most radical leftists are supporting Israel’s military response though some are against a ground offensive, which is being prepared but not in operation at the time this is being written.

Pray For:

  • Protection of the innocent on both sides of the battlelines.
  • Israel to strike a hard and decisive blow on the Hamas infrastructure and terrorist leadership.
  • Israel to have an anointing and ability to explain to the world why this is happening and to remain committed to finishing it properly in spite of the worlds condemnations and accusations. Pray too, for the USA and Canada which seem to be the only nations that are clearly laying the blame for this war where it belongs: on Hamas.
  • The Israeli elections: that they will not be postponed, nor that this long overdue Israeli response will shift the election into the hands of those who are responsible for the condition in the first place. (Up to this point the Likud of Benjamin Netanyahu was clearly ahead in the polls.) Please pray that this military campaign will not throw the election to Kadima (Livni) or Labor (Barak), as they would continue with the policies that make this kind of operation an ongoing necessity.
  • Extreme vigilance for Israel’s intelligence services so we are not surprised by an attack by Hizbullah or Syria. Pray also that there would be clear communication between the intelligence services and divine wisdom as to what to act on and what not to. In addition, pray that policy would be driven by what's truly best for the nation and not by politics or personal ambition.
  • If it is the time for Israel to deal a decisive blow to Hizbullah and Syria, that we would not hesitate but do it quickly.
  • While we pray for the safety of all of Israel’s soldiers, please remember that many Messianic believers are serving at this time and more may be called to the battle.
  • Ultimately, that God's will is done.

The IFI team 29 December 2008