December 15, 2023 | Messianic World Update | Updates on Israel, Hamas, & U.S. Involvement

Shalom everyone! Monte Judah here with Lion and Lamb Ministries, welcoming you to another edition of Messianic World Update. It's Friday, December 15, 2023. I want to bring you up to speed on the latest developments in the Middle East. There's a lot to discuss, so let’s begin.

First, let's talk about the recent visit of Jake Sullivan, the National Security Council advisor, to Israel. Following in the footsteps of Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Sullivan met with the Israeli War Cabinet to discuss U.S. recommendations on how Israel should handle the war with Hamas. Interestingly, the U.S. is urging Israel to exercise restraint and allow more aid to come in for the Palestinians, despite the fact that previous aid has ended up in the hands of Hamas terrorists. It's a challenging situation, to say the least.

Furthermore, the U.S. is pushing for a "day after" policy, which focuses on the future of the Palestinian territories after the conflict with Hamas is resolved. While the U.S. advocates for a two-state solution, Israel is hesitant, primarily due to the Palestinian position, which opposes coexistence with Israel. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is willing to grant the Palestinians self-governance but is firm in its stance against allowing them to have their own army. This fundamental difference in positions makes it incredibly difficult to reach any agreement.

President Joe Biden, following the path of his predecessor, President Obama, strongly believes in the two-state solution as the only viable option. However, Netanyahu and many members of the Israeli government disagree. They argue that the focus should be on defeating Hamas, not rushing into a future agreement that doesn't address the immediate threats.

In the midst of all this, Israel is facing an intense battle with Hamas. The IDF has been relentless in its efforts to remove Hamas from Gaza and neutralize its leadership. Unfortunately, this operation has not come without cost. Over 110 IDF soldiers have lost their lives, and the situation remains challenging. Israel is flooding tunnels, targeting the military leaders of Hamas, and intensifying its operations to regain control. However, there's growing concern for the fate of the hostages held by Hamas. Israel has begun the operation of flooding many of the Hamas tunnels in Gaza. This will render the tunnels useless to anyone. Israel is avoiding tunnels where, according to recent intelligence, some hostages may be being held. Sadly, the IDF discovered the bodies of several hostages who were murdered in captivity in tunnels that were not part of the flooding plan.

The conflict extends beyond Gaza as well. The West Bank city of Jenin has been a hotbed of Palestinian terrorists, with over 1,300 terror events reported. The IDF is actively engaged in eliminating the leadership of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the area.

Hezbollah, situated along the Lebanese border, has also escalated its attacks on Israel. Recently, they launched an anti-tank rocket into the home of Israeli civilians, causing injuries. Israel has responded by targeting Hezbollah sites along the border, but the threat persists.

In the Straits of Aden, Houthi rebels in Yemen have intensified their attacks on civilian ships passing through the area. The U.S. is working to organize an international flotilla to protect these ships, but Iran, backing the Houthi rebels, has warned of further hostility. The U.S. strategy for dealing with Iran and the Houthi rebels remains unclear, resulting in continued attacks on U.S. forces and international shipping.

It's disheartening to witness the lack of a clear and effective strategy from the U.S. in dealing with these complex issues. There's a growing chorus of voices, including members of Congress, calling for stronger action and leadership. However, President Biden seems more focused on domestic matters and interfering in Israel's affairs, advocating for the removal of Netanyahu's government and the dismantling of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

In closing, it's crucial that we continue to pray for Israel, the hostages held by Hamas, and our own country. We need leadership with a moral compass, capable of discerning right from wrong. The Middle East is facing immense challenges, and the consequences are far-reaching. Let us remember the words of Yeshua, to take care of the beam in our own eye before being concerned about the splinter in someone else's.

Shabbat Shalom to all of you.