SITUATION ANALYSIS -- IV

Jerusalem, Israel

Ethiopia: It is unknown whether Israeli government officials will abide by their promise to allow almost 9,000 Ethiopian Jews stuck in transit camps to immigrate to Israel. The last of the Falasha Mura's have been obstructed from immigrating by Israeli authorities.

(See Isaiah 43:6 in the Bible's Revised Standard Edition).

(Declare that Israel should not hold these Jews back from returning to the Promised Land!)

Hot Spots

*Lebanon: At least 2,500 Hezbollah guerillas are operating in southern Lebanon, in defiance of UN Resolution 1701. Hezbollah has tripled its military arsenal since the Lebanon War of 2006. It has reportedly obtained 30-40,000 missiles capable of covering 75% of Israel. It is also busy recruiting and training new fighters, as well as expanding its Command Center. Some Israeli defense officials think that Hezbollah currently poses a greater threat to Israel than Iran. One of the reasons is because Israel does not have an anti-missile defense system in place to deter short-range rockets from hitting the Jewish State.

(Proclaim Psalm 91:5-6).

Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah still plans to avenge the death of arch-terrorist Imad Muginyeh, and has tried, so far unsuccessfully
to kidnap Israelis traveling abroad.

(Proclaim Psalm 91:9-13 for Jewish people in Israel and the nations who are vulnerable to an attack from Hezbollah. Pray for God's protection and safety over His chosen people).

*Iran: Ehud Barak, Israel's Defense Minister, has said that if Russia delivers its most advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Iran, Israel will neutralize the effectiveness of that system by using a specialized electronic warfare device. This would, in effect embarrass Russian officials and be a blow to Russia's national security. Barak thinks that a nuclear Iran poses a danger to world order. He also stated, recently, that if attacked, Israel is prepared to respond and to succeed uncompromisingly.

(Continue to stand in the gap in intercession -- that God will not allow the enemy to bring the Ezekiel Chapter 38 and 39 war before its appointed time).

*Syria: An illusion of peace based on a progression in talks between Israel and Syria continue to occupy the global news media. At the same time that Israel has agreed to withdraw from the Golan Heights through in-direct negotiations, Syria has not agreed to separate itself from terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. Nor, has Syria agreed to back down from its close strategic relationship with Iran.

Since Syria has entered into the peace equation with Israel, Syria's President Bashar Assad has enjoyed unprecedented favor with the international community, especially Turkey, France and Qatar. At the same time, Syria has upgraded relations with the Lebanese government.

A new confrontation with Israel is possible if Syria and Iran continue to deliver advanced weapons systems to Hezbollah that pose a major threat to Israel's security. Syria continues to use diplomacy as a pressure on Israel, while preparing for brutal military tactics on Israel's northern border.

Assad has not stopped trying to acquire advanced missile systems, including requests in his recent meeting with Russian officials. He has asked for the delivery of long-range Russian anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. He has also offered to deploy short-range Russian missiles on Syrian territory.

*Russia: Russia has shown its own aggressive tactics in its recent invasion of the country of Georgia. Threatened by US military advances in Europe, (in terms of missile defense), Russia has also deeply disapproved of countries near its borders aligning with NATO forces.

Russia has threatened to attack a U.S. anti-missile defense system if it is deployed in Poland. Russia has also made some serious threats against U.S. measures to deploy a radar tracking system in the Czech Republic, as well.

Some analysts see the Iranian-Syrian-Russian axis (including terrorist proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon) as a rising global power that must be dealt with by the international community. However, many countries, especially those in Europe, would rather do business with these rogue nations and appease them,ignoring both subtle and blatant acts of aggression. Meanwhile, Russia continues to play an active role in the Gulf region, activating Soviet military alliances despite calls for Russia to be excluded from the G8 and expelled from the UN Security Council. Russia is counting on disunity among member states, taking advantage of a weakened Western economy hit by increasing oil prices, and by a dependence on foreign oil supplies.

(Proclaim Psalm 46:6-7: "The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge").

International Diplomacy

U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East has taken a step backwards while U.S. citizens concentrate on domestic policies at home. This transition is a result of a political focus on the upcoming American presidential elections. This vacuum has allowed France and Russia to get a foothold in the Middle East, with leaders of those nations pressing their own agendas, which are not necessarily good for Israel.

(Pray Psalm Chapter 37 on behalf of Israel, especially verse 6. Pray that Israeli diplomats and politicians will walk in God's wisdom regarding every foreign policy initiative presented by the international community, especially during this vulnerable time in diplomacy).

U.S.-Israel Strategic Military Cooperation

The special relationship between Israeli and American defense officials is enhanced by increased cooperation in missile-defense technology. The possibility of war with Iran has caused both nations to deploy more advanced weapons systems that provide greater coordination between air force and army officers. Israel and the U.S. are performing military exercises (simulations and drills) to prepare for deployment of these systems. The U.S. is likely to deploy missile defense systems on ships off Israel's coast to assist in intercepting in-coming ballistic missiles from Iran if war breaks out.

(Pray for U.S. Major General Ido Zehushtan who would be the central commander in charge of missile defense systems in the Middle East region in the event of war). (See Jerusalem Post Frontlines article, titled, "In Advance", Friday, August 8, 08).

(Pray for Israel's ability to protect the Jewish nation in the event of a missile war. One of the ways Israel does this is by flying over enemy territory to deter acts of war and terror).

Vulnerable Skies

Apparently, Hezbollah can now track Israeli Air Force planes from the Mediterranean Sea in the west, to Damascus in the east, because of advanced radar installations located in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah reportedly received help from Syrian and Iranian operatives in installing these systems.

Hamas, in Gaza, is thought to have a number of shoulder-to-shoulder air missiles, as well as heavy anti-aircraft machine guns. Therefore, Israel's air force is not flying as much over Gaza as it has in the past.

These sophisticated systems, deployed by Israel's enemies in Lebanon and Gaza make it more difficult for Israeli air force flyovers. This also means the possibility of Israeli aircraft being shot down in the event of war.

(Pray for these vulnerabilities in Israeli air defenses as the Jewish nation tries to increase its deterrence capability against evil aggression. Israel's enemies are vigorous and strong, and their capabilities have multiplied, but God is a constant defender of His chosen people – the "apple of His eye"). (See Psalm 38:21-22; Psalm 71:12-13; Deuteronomy 32:10).

(Pray for Israelis as they prepare for war, according to Psalm 144:1-2. God will not allow Israel to be destroyed). (See Jeremiah 31:35-37).


Prisoner Release

Recently, in defiance of Israel's own "red lines", Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government released almost 200 Palestinian prisoners, including several with "blood on their hands". Some of these terrorists had committed murder against Israeli civilians and were serving time in jail until their recent release. The diplomatic pressure on Israel to please the international community by bolstering political support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has not necessarily advanced the peace process. It has also not cleared the way for a release of Israeli P.O.W. Gilad Shalit.

(Pray that the Israeli government will not enter into any more snares because of a lack of counsel and sound judgment. Declare Proverbs 29:25-26. Pray for Corporal Shalit who is suffering health issues in captivity. Pray that he will be healed supernaturally by God as he waits for deliverance from his captives, and freedom to return to his family in Israel).

(Declare Psalm 121:1-8 for all of Israel during this vulnerable time in Israel's sixty year history)!