SITUATION ANALYSIS -- VIII

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL’S WAR WITH HAMAS

On Saturday, December 27, 2008, Israeli war planes struck Hamas targets in Gaza. Taking Hamas by surprise, the IDF (Israel's Defense Force) operation took place to put an end to eight years of rocket attacks on Israeli citizens.

Reports indicate that Israel’s current war against Hamas is the heaviest military strike by Israel since the 1967 Six Day War.

Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli prime minister’s office, talked recently to journalists on a conference call from Israel. Hosted by The Israel Project, Regev explained why Israel’s Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert; his Defense Minister, Ehud Barak; and, his Foreign Minister, Tzippi Livni all agreed to attack Hamas at this time.

Regev commented that Hamas publicly tried to abrogate the cease-fire understandings with Israel that were recently negotiated through Egypt; and, Hamas had acted to accelerate the situation on the ground by increasing the rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. He added that Israel is creating “a new reality on the ground; a new security environment in which no longer will hundreds of thousands of Israelis live in fear.”

Israel’s leadership has been united in wanting to neutralize Hamas to protect Israeli residences living in southern communities so they will no longer be on the receiving end of a rocket war.

“The ultimate truth is that Hamas is holding hostage not just the civilian population in southern Israel, which is living under the threat of the rocket barrages, but also its own population in the Gaza Strip,” Regev stated.

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have had to live under suffering and hardship while Hamas continues to reject international demands. This has caused a humanitarian aid crisis, at times, and isolated the people of Gaza because of their rebellious leadership. Hamas has refused to accept the demands of the international community – that is, to recognize Israel’s right to exist; to stop the violence and renounce terrorism; and to act in accordance with those agreements already laid out in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Part of the strategy of the current Israeli government has been to show the Palestinians of Gaza that Israel is not fighting them; and, that Israel’s enemy is Hamas. Despite the continued rocket barrage, the Olmert government has taken steps to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in order to make sure the population does not suffer shortages. Soon after Israel’s December 27 military offensive, officials opened the border crossings and truck loads of food, medicine, fuel and other supplies were allowed through. Israel will continue to help the Gaza population while, militarily, trying to stop terrorist attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.

Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since then, Gaza has been infiltrated by extremist forces including Iranian operatives and Al-Qaeda. Hamas has also instituted Sharia Law and is forcing it on the Gazan population, persecuting Christians and others that do not comply.

Hamas has built its military wing into a substantial force, with many members trained in Iran, and with Iranian money helping Hamas to purchase longer-range missiles and larger explosives for its weapons arsenal.

Hamas has been influenced by Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon, adapting the strategies that the terrorist group used against Israel during the Second Lebanon War of 2006. They have played on Israel’s weakness – that is, the inability to stop short-range rockets from infiltrating Israeli air space. Currently, Israel has no effective way of stopping these rockets from hitting Israeli cities and towns, now in a range of 20-40 kilometers. In the future, Israel hopes to stop the rockets with a special anti-missile defense system, but it will not be ready to be deployed until 2010 or beyond.

Another way that Israel is looking to stop Hamas is to completely destroy not only its military infrastructure, but its weapons arsenal, and its underground rocket launchers. Therefore, Israel has had no choice but to send in thousands of ground troops. The ground operation began on January 3, 2009, signaling a much longer and brutal war ahead.

During the past several weeks, Israeli army officials have admitted they do not have an exit strategy for getting out of Gaza once they go in. Analysts in Israel are concerned that Israel will get stuck in a Gaza quagmire similar to what happened in Lebanon in the 1980's.

Responding to questions from journalists about the multitude of casualties on the Palestinian side since Israel began “Operation Cast Lead” on December 27, Regev said that Hamas has a propaganda interest in highlighting civilian casualties and minimizing damage to their military machine. He reiterated that Israel is trying to do surgical strikes aimed at Hamas only.

“We don’t want to hit Palestinian civilians. We don’t see the people of Gaza as our enemy,” he stated several times. Medical sources, human rights activists, and Israeli officials have reported that the majority of Palestinian casualties have been Palestinian policemen and gunmen belonging to terrorist groups.

From June until November 2008, Israel and Hamas entered into a hudna – a temporary cease-fire. It was suppose to last until December 2008. In November, Israel blew up an illegal underground tunnel in Gaza that was allegedly being used by Hamas to stage a terrorist attack. Hamas responded with increased rocket attacks on Israeli border towns which have continued.

Hamas also used the cease-fire to build-up its weapons arsenal, including missiles which are now not only being launched against citizens in Sderot and the western Negev, but also aimed at Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheva. More Israelis have been wounded and killed since the war began.

Contrary to some reports in the media, Israel has no interest in re-occupying Gaza. After unilaterally withdrawing from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israel’s current government has made it clear they do not want to rule the Palestinians. And, they say the IDF is merely acting defensively to protect Israeli citizens.

So, what are Israel’s next steps? According to Regev, “We are willing to live in peace with Gaza. The question is whether Gaza is willing to live in peace with us. It is the Hamas regime that tore up the cease-fire agreement.”

Israel is looking for another cease-fire with Hamas, and wants to see Gaza restored, especially the structural damage caused by recent Israeli air raids.

When this current war against Hamas began, more than 50% of the Israeli population supported the government’s effort. That support has increased to more than 90%. Talking to Israelis about the current situation they almost unanimously say, “This needed to be done”. They believe that Israel is acting in self-defense. Most would like to see the current war finish quickly, and they hope they will then live in peace with the people of Gaza.

In the meantime, the Olmert government is bent on breaking the Hamas stronghold in Gaza, while at the same time, hoping that the United States and the Quartet will convince the Hamas leadership to accept a cease-fire and stop the rocket attacks immediately. One can only pray this happens sooner than later as Israeli combat units fight Hamas on the ground inside Gaza.

PRAYER POINTS:

• During this current ground war, pray that Hamas will not be able to fortify military posts in the Gaza Strip, nor dig effective tunnel systems and underground bunkers for its troops.

Pray that all plans Hamas has to use anti-tank missile units will be disrupted. Pray that any bombs they have prepared or placed on main roads into Gaza will be clearly seen by Israeli troops and detonated safely.

Pray that Israeli soldiers will discern and discover all hidden booby traps and all deceptive ambushes created by Hamas and other terrorist groups. Pray that terrorists will not be able to use anti-aircraft cannons or shoulder-to-air missiles against Israel.

Pray for Israeli combat soldiers to have effective back-up and reinforcements prepared and ready for action on the battlefield. See Isaiah 35:3-4.

Pray for the weather to cooperate. The Israeli Air Force cannot provide effective support for ground forces when there is poor visibility.

Pray that the Lord will protect Israeli forces stationed along the security fence. Pray that He will not allow Hamas to re-institute suicide bombings against Israeli citizens anywhere in the country. Pray that Hamas will not be able to kidnap Israeli soldiers.

• According to reports, Hamas, in coordination with other militant groups, has 15,000-20,000 armed men in the Gaza Strip. Pray that there will be confusion in their ranks. Pray that they will not be able to carry out the plans of Israel’s enemies. Please declare Psalm 70:1-3.

• The war in Gaza could place Corporal Gilad Shalit in even greater danger. He’s been held prisoner by Hamas for over 900 days, since June 2006. Pray according to Zechariah 9:11-12 and Hebrews 13:3 for Shalit.

• Declare Zechariah 9:14, Zechariah 10:4-6, and Psalms 144:1-8 for the IDF in its current battle in the south.

• Proclaim Psalm 144:12 for those Israeli young people who must start their military service fresh out of high school.

• Pray Psalm 145:14-21 for both Israeli and Gazan citizens caught up in the cross-fire of this war.

• If there is to be a cease-fire, pray that it happens very soon, and is favorable towards Israel, and that Hamas is not able to smuggle any more weapons into the Gaza Strip. Pray that Hamas honors the cease-fire.

• Pray that Israel’s current government will not make decisions based on political ambitions. Some are concerned that Barak and Livni have unified to act now against Hamas to boost their popularity with the Israeli public before the upcoming February 2009 national elections. It’s also possible that Olmert has stood unified with Barak and Livni because he is looking for a legacy that includes a successful war against Hamas, instead of only being remembered for his failures in the Second Lebanon War and the corruption charges filed against him during his reign as prime minister. Pray for righteousness and justice to prevail within this current government!

• Pray against the unbelief that plagues Israeli leaders. Pray that they will rely on God’s promises to them and that no root of bitterness will spring up that causes them to act with wrong motives. See Hebrews 12:15. Declare James 4:10.

• Agree in prayer that Israel’s goals will be accomplished:
(1) To stop the rocket attacks from Hamas. (2) To stop the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. (3) To stop the Gaza terrorist activity against Israel.

• Pray that Israel’s goals will be clearly understood and approved by a majority of international leaders. Pray that there will be quiet on Arab streets and neighborhoods throughout the world. Pray that all anti-Israel protests and riots will cease immediately.

• There is a high alert in the north of Israel. Recently, Lebanese armed forces discovered eight Katyusha rockets that were ready to be launched against Israel. Pray that Hezbollah will not attack Israel’s northern border while a majority of Israel’s forces are concentrated in the south.

• Pray that the Lord will reveal any Hezbollah plan to attack global Jewish interests. Pray that the terrorist group will stop trying to avenge the death of Hezbollah's military commander, Imad Mughniyeh. The one year anniversary of his death is February 2009.

• Stand in agreement with Israelis throughout the nation who are reading and speaking Psalm 121 and Psalm 130, claiming God’s spiritual promises to them.

• As an intercessor remember that this battle is not only in the natural, but also in the spiritual, and that much is accomplished through your prayers. (See Romans 8:37).