Israel Expanding Actions Against Gaza; France & Egypt Want Cease-fire
Israel’s Prime Minister is expanding military actions against Gaza:
November 18, 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is prepared to “significantly expand” its operations against militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s comments on Sunday come as thousands of Israeli troops are gathered on the border as the conflict with the Palestinians in Gaza enters its fifth day.
Israel blasted targets in the Gaza Strip Sunday, launching aerial and naval attacks in response to continuing Palestinian rocket fire. At least three children have been killed in the latest incidents.
The Israeli military widened its range of targets early Sunday to include buildings used by foreign media outlets. Officials say at least three journalists were wounded in the attacks. Israel also hit various Hamas targets.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius left Paris Sunday for Jerusalem to offer France’s help in reaching a cease-fire.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Israel that it would lose international sympathy and support if it initiates a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian officials say at least 48 Gazans have been killed since violence erupted Wednesday. Israel says three Israelis have been killed.
On Saturday, Israeli strikes leveled the Gaza office of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and his Cabinet. Haniyeh was not there at the time.
Also Saturday, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi hosted leaders from Hamas and two key allies, Qatar and Turkey, to seek a way to end the fighting. He said, “there are some indications that there is a possibility of a cease-fire soon, but we do not yet have firm guarantees.”
Separately, foreign ministers from the Cairo-based Arab League were meeting in emergency session to discuss an Arab response to the fighting.
More than 100 Hamas rockets rained down on Israel Saturday, reaching as far north as Tel Aviv where sirens wailed early in the day.
Israel’s military says its new “Iron Dome” missile defense system shot down an incoming rocket bound for Tel Aviv – one of several Hamas has fired at Israel’s commercial center. http://www.voanews.com/content/israel-palestinians/1548281.html
Israel says Gaza operation could expand; France says ‘war can be avoided’
The Arab world wants to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, but may not do much more than condemn Israel and push for a cease-fire (oil flow restrictions have been hinted at but probably will not be done at this stage):
18 November 2012
CAIRO (Reuters) – The head of the Arab League and a group of Arab foreign ministers will visit Gaza on Tuesday to show solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli attack, officials said on Sunday…
In an urgent meeting in Cairo on Saturday, the Arab ministers gave their backing to Egyptian efforts to secure a truce between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
They also condemned the Israeli offensive in Gaza that started last Wednesday and has killed 56 Palestinians and wounded hundreds, according to Palestinian officials. More than 500 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel, killing three civilians and wounding dozens.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/18/us-palestiians-israel-gaza-ministers-idUSBRE8AH08F20121118
Cease-fires and truces, of course, are more peaceful than rocket launches, air strikes, and possible ground invasions.
The Bible says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces.”
8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.” (Psalms 122:6-8)
The current escalation of violence and the launching of rockets against Jerusalem is not peaceful (see While Militants Threaten Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Egypt’s Morsi Warns Israel About Gaza).
The Israelis and Gazans are in my prayers.
With the end of 6,000 years of human rule coming closer, and the apparent peace deal in Daniel 9:27 not yet confirmed, it is likely be that a war involving Israel will be needed before such a peace deal is struck. How related to this current conflict it will be is still unclear, though I suspect a greater conflict than what has been going on the last several days will be the impetus for such a peace deal.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Is the deal in Daniel 9:27 a peace deal?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
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