Terrorists in the Islamist Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip fired rockets at Israel for the second consecutive day in support of efforts by Islamist extremists to incite violence in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Riot police were forced to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount over the past two nights, after gangs of Arab youth barricaded themselves inside with rocks and fireworks to shoot at those attempting to enter.
Two rockets were indiscriminately launched at southern Israeli towns Wednesday; one of which fell short and exploded in an uninhabited area in Gaza while the second hit an open area near security barrier with Israel. No injuries or damage were reported.
Early Thursday morning, seven surface-to-air ‘shoulder-propelled’ missiles were fired from Gaza, five of which headed toward Israel and two in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea. All of the projectiles exploded mid-air and no injuries or damage were reported.
The Islamist Hamas organization and Iranian-proxy Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group are currently waging an intense incitement campaign in attempts to instigate unrest in Jerusalem.
Hamas Spokesman Hazem Qassem claimed that the “assault” by Israeli forces on Muslim worshippers “is a crime and is a violation of all human rights and laws,” while threatening “our people will not let this pass without a response” and that his group “will remain to function as a shield to our people in Jerusalem and the blessed Aqsa mosque.”
The violence in Jerusalem has also provoked a strong regional response.
Several hundreds of Jordanians gathered outside of the Al-Kalouti Mosque near Israel’s Embassy in Amman to insist the Hashemite Kingdom sever diplomatic ties with the Jewish State over what they called ‘Israel’s illegitimate rule over Jerusalem and desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.’
Similarly in Turkey, scores of protesters rallied outside Israel’s diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul to voice outrage over alleged “atrocities” committed by Jerusalem police.
Despite clear knowledge of the true nature of events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan further fueled fury toward Israel by denouncing alleged “terror actions” by police against Palestinian Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The name of this is the politics of repression, the politics of blood, the politics of provocation. Turkey can never remain silent and unmoved in the face of these attacks. Putting a hand on Al-Aqsa Mosque and trampling on the sanctity of the Harem al-Sharif is a red line for us,” declared Erdogan, continuing, “Our Palestinian brothers and sisters, who defend Jerusalem with their lives when necessary, are not alone. I condemn the vile acts against the first qibla of Muslims in the name of my country and people, and I call for the attacks to be halted as soon as possible.”
It is important to note that while the Turkish president has championed normalization between Israel and Turkey over the past several years, he must nevertheless remain mindful that major bloc of his supporters who do not view the Jewish State positively – particularly ahead of general elections on 14 May.
Meanwhile air raid sirens sounded throughout Israel’s northwestern Galilee region, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to rush into bomb shelters.
The first salvo of rockets was launched at 2:42 PM, Thursday – when militants launched a total of 34 rockets from agricultural groves south of the Lebanese city of Tyre toward Israel’s northern communities.
According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, 25 of the incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense array, while four projectiles exploded in uninhabited areas.
Moreover, one projectile reportedly exploded next to a bank in the northern border-community of Shlomi – and while damage was caused to the structure, thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Nevertheless, as a result of falling debris from interceptors which destroyed the barrage of incoming hostile projectiles, two Israelis sustained very light injuries – while a third Israeli was treated for shock.
It is important to note that four rockets which were fired from Lebanon into Israel remain unaccounted for as they may have failed to cross into Israeli territory.
General assessment is that Palestinian faction in Lebanon were responsible for the rocket-fire and that Hezbollah, while not directly involved, effectively turned a blind-eye to the aggression.
An Israeli security official told TV7 that while Israel is obliged to react to the blatant attack against its territory and citizens, it is not interested in war.
Nevertheless, the official stressed “if Hezbollah would err by thinking that it could change the equation vis-à-vis Israel – all hell will break lose and (Hezbollah leader) Hassan Nasrallah’s bunker may well turn into his tombstone.”
Editor’s Note: Why Is This News Biblically Relevant?
Hamas and others have brazenly made their goals to “obliterate” Israel and eradicate the Jewish people abundantly clear.
This is rooted in the same antisemitic thinking that has throughout history lead to the persecution and extermination efforts against the Jewish people.
“The eradication of Israel is their goal,” Hal Lindsey urged. “They don’t just want to win a military victory over Israel or carve out a Palestinian state. Hamas wants nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish people. Genocide is their aim and reason.”
In his article, Lindsey went into detail about how Hamas’ charter promotes stereotypes about the Jewish people, anti-semitic false accusations, the murder of Jews and is vehemently against peace with Israel stating “There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad.”
Given the fact that “Hamas stands for unending violence, war, and terror,” are those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinians really “for peace or for never-ending jihad?” Lindsey asked.
In Psalm 122:6, Christians are specifically urged to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Christians must understand their Biblical responsibility toward God’s chosen people. It is incumbent upon Christians to love, pray for and stand up for the Jewish people, the state of Israel, and their eternal capital of Jerusalem. God has not forgotten His people, and neither should His servants.
