Barrage of rockets coming out of Gaza on left, Israeli Iron Dome taking out incoming rockets on right.
So - a ceasefire has been agreed on by both Hamas and Israel. But first a few images from Israel in the past week and a half....
Fence infiltration into Israel on the Lebanon border.
Iron Dome (right) taking out incoming missiles (left).
Rockets (left), Iron Dome (right).
Iron Dome up close.
Israel explains why it demolished so many buildings in Gaza.
Not all the fighting has been in Israel and Gaza - Also very troubling is the anti-Israel protests and openly, violent attacks against Jews, especially in the past week, all over America and around the world. Many countries in the world have shared their opinions, condemnations and financial support for either Israel or Gaza.
Newspaper in the UK
Note that some Arab leaders are trying to draw "Christians" into the battle....
So what is the outcome of this ceasefire after 11 days of war - a war that Hamas started, and now claims victory??
Israel and Hamas are agreeing on a ceasefire with supposedly "no conditions." Before the ceasefire was imposed, about 70% of Israelis wanted the operation to continue, especially those in the communities surrounding Gaza (there was a similar percentage during the war in 2014). We have to wonder what pressure/threats were placed on Israel by international leaders, especially in America. Some government leaders in America were against financing the missiles for the Israeli Iron Dome to be replenished - these are not missiles used against Gaza, these are missiles that protect Israeli citizens from rockets fired from Gaza.
One reason for Israel to choose now for a ceasefire is that it was getting to the point where if Israel was going to continue, they would most likely have to go in on the ground, which would definitely endanger soldiers lives (and possible kidnapping, which is a goal of Hamas as a pawn).
Hamas is lying about any victory. They are making claims that Israel gave into their conditions (concerning the Temple Mount and Sheikh Jarrah), which is not true. But that’s what they do. They are needing to “save face” because Israel did a lot of damage to the Hamas info-structure/leaders in Gaza. They have to make it look like they succeeded in their mission. They did fire about 4,400 rockets at Israel in 11 days, but hundreds of those landed within Gaza on their own people, and the Iron Dome had a 90% success rate. And remember, this is at least the 4th time Hamas asked for a ceasefire, but Israel kept saying not yet… until now.
Israel did accomplish a lot, much more in the past 11 days than they did in the 40 days of fighting during 2014. They especially caused much damage with demolishing about 100 kilometers of the huge Hamas tunnel network in Gaza, but it will just get built back up again. Countries are already pouring in tons of money, including the US.
Just after the 2 am ceasefire began, Palestinians in Gaza, Israel and around the region began to celebrate their "victory." There were parades throughout the streets with handing out candies. Even in our neighboring Arab village they were shooting off fireworks at 2:15 am.
As is common amongst the Palestinians, they called for yet another "day of rage" today (Friday). With today being the Friday Muslim prayers, there were tens of thousands that made their way to the Temple Mount in the Old City Jerusalem. What may have caught them off guard, was that the Israeli police were still there to attempt to squelch their riots - proving that Israel had not given into their demands concerning the Temple Mount.
Very early Friday morning before sunup on the Temple Mount, Old City Jerusalem.
What is the ultimate goal of Hamas, Iran and many of the Palestinians? "From the river to the sea" is the phrase that is constantly the motto heard throughout the Muslim world and now in many countries in Europe and North America. Their goal is not a two state solution, it is to remove Israel and the Jews completely from this Land that God Himself deeded to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel). For those of us who believe in the Bible, the end story of this battle has already been written - GOD WINS - His plans and His purposes will succeed. HE is VICTORIOUS. In the meantime, we trust in His promises knowing that His Eye is on the Land that He loves, and He will protect it. Amen.
Iron Dome protecting Israel against Her enemies.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out
and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalm 121
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