GN Commentary: January 6, 2009 - Israel Retaliates Against Hamas

What is so important about this part of the world? The Bible provides the answer.

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Video Transcript

Just after sunset on Saturday, January 3, 2009, Israeli ground troops entered the Gaza Strip and once again captured the attention of the world.  Gripping news accounts showed tracers, bombs and incendiary devices in the darkness as troops and tanks made their way into northern Gaza. 

Gaza, a densely populated area, home to 1.4 million Arabs, is an amazingly small stretch of real estate—approximately 25 miles long and 4 to 7 miles wide. It is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, but not recognized internationally as part of any sovereign country.  It is also the stronghold for Hamas, a militant Arab organization that attained power in 2006.

Hamas has refused to recognize the state of Israel and continues to call for the annihilation of all Jews.  Since January 2008, Hamas has launched over 1200 rocket attacks and an equal number of mortar attacks into Israel, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  1/8 of the Jewish population is now within range of the increasingly sophisticated rockets that are being used by Hamas. Israel is determined to stop these attacks.

One must ask, why so much attention on such a small area with no known strategic value? 

Globalsecurity.org claims that 8 major wars are underway in the world today, a major war defined as one having more than 1000 battlefield deaths.  While these wars rage, the world is preoccupied with Israel and the tiny Gaza Strip.  What is so important about this part of the world?

The Bible provides the answer.  Israel is the "holy land" for three conflicting major religions. Anything that happens in this area has repercussions throughout the Christian, Jewish and Muslim worlds.  According to Bible prophecy Israel is in the middle of end-of-the-world scenarios prior to the return of Jesus Christ. 

In speaking of the end time, the prophet Zechariah foretold, "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it" (Zechariah 12:3).   Israel and the city of Jerusalem dominate Bible prophecy.
 
The last book in the Bible, Revelation, describes a time when armies will surround Jerusalem just prior to Christ's return, this will lead to the final battle of Armageddon. 

Peace in the Middle East will come with a high price, but it won't come without divine intervention.  According to God's Word, the Middle East will continue to be the focal point until the end of the age, Christ's return, and the coming Kingdom of God. 

For GN magazine, I'm Jim Franks.