Jerusalem,
Israel
PRAYER
UPDATE JUNE 14, 2024
Israel
and the Nations
GPW News and Prayer Update
According to Isaiah 14:26, there is a plan determined
for the whole world. The LORD Almighty has spoken. Who can change His plans?
This is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed,
and who can thwart Him? Who can stop
Him?
ECCLESIASTES 1:4: “Generations come, and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.”
We need to
have a perspective that regardless of what man does, God Himself has spoken.
His plan endures throughout time.
HOSTAGE RESCUE:
The mission of the IDF, in cooperation with
the Israel Security Agency and the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, all worked together
in the recent rescue of four hostages: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey
Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. They were rescued around 11 a.m., Saturday June 8, 2024,
in central Gaza.
The former head of the MIA (Missing in
Action) Department at IDF Intelligence headquarters, discussed the hostage rescue
operation. He is a military analyst who has been in the Israeli intelligence
community for nearly 25 years, with credentials as a legal counter-terrorism
expert, as well.
This rescue mission has been called, “Operation
Arnon,” after the brave Israeli commander that was the first on the scene to
rescue the hostages, and later died of his wounds.
Some important highlights:
*In the last 8 months of war, since October 7th,
a total of 7 hostages were rescued in three different IDF operations.
*This recent rescue was considered to be an impressive,
extraordinary achievement by Israel, and recognized by militaries throughout
the world. (We call it a miracle, and give all the glory to God!)
*The rescue involved a complex on-going process.
It was carried out by special-ops units, and included some of the most
advanced capabilities that Israel has available.
*The U.S. army Central Command (CENTCOM), which
has been active in the region, also contributed its intel to the military operation.
This helped Israel map the targets from which the hostages were rescued.
*IDF ground force operations helped with the
rescue. From videos, it can be seen that Israeli soldiers provided fire power
as cover for the hostages to escape.
*The military expert said that without the
IDF being present inside Gaza, this operation could not have taken place. (A point for prayer -- that the IDF can remain, as
needed, in Gaza!)
*This successful rescue mission included operational
support beyond Israeli special police forces. It included the assistance of the
special forces of the ISA (Israel’s Security Agency – the Shin Bet). The rescue showed Israel’s operational and
intelligence superiority over its enemies, particularly over Hamas. The operation is a strong signal to Israel’s
enemies that the IDF can hit anywhere, with precise objectives. This Israeli
military success is also the fulfillment of very complicated military actions,
in urban areas, with the goal of not harming civilian lives. (Hamas accused
Israel of hitting many civilians, but the IDF sees those Gazans as Hamas
operatives; or, as citizens cooperating with Hamas). (A point for
prayer!)
*The military expert said the operation
showed Israel’s better capabilities to hit enemies in the region, which had
been a weak point for Israel after the October 7th massacre. However, he also seemed
to be advocating for a hostage deal with Hamas. He indicated that this rescue
did not, specifically, improve the strategic situation regarding the war,
particularly, in regard to the rest of the hostages held by Hamas. He said it
is unrealistic to expect that all the other 120 hostages still held by Hamas can
be released using similar methods. He
explained that, according to intelligence community assessments, about half of the
hostages are no longer alive. He said that, as a result of this June 8th
hostage rescue, he thought it would be much harder, now, for the other hostages
still in captivity. He sees a scenario where Hamas will try and take them out
of houses in Gaza (where they could escape), and put them all in the tunnels
underground.
DECLARATION:
We say, “no” to the movement of the hostages
to underground tunnels in Yeshua’s name!
We pray that the rest of the hostages would remain above ground and
available for escape with the help of IDF troops and special forces in future release
missions.
ISRAEL’S MILITARY AND POLITICAL DECISIONS
REGARDING HOSTAGES IN GENERAL:
* Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, was
released from prison during the deal for the release of Israeli hostage, Galad
Shalit. At the time, Shalit had been captive for 5 years by Hamas, and his
health was deteriorating. Hamas would not accept that deal with Israel unless
Sinwar was released. That was in 2011.
*Israel’s security organizations got to know
Sinwar in prison. Sinwar was not only the head of the prisoners during that
time -- it was not just a functional position, but a religious one. It was,
reportedly, important to Sinwar’s status with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood
to be in such a key position.
(As reported in an earlier blog entry, while in prison, Sinwar had a life-threatening brain tumor. Israel operated on it and took it out, saving Sinwar's life).
*Israel had observed Sinwar as a sadistic leader.
He had led a secret wing of Hamas, responsible for taking care of espionage. He
also tried to confront Israeli anti-terrorism forces in Gaza. When Sinwar was the
head of the secret wing of Hamas, he killed people through very brutal ways.
*Israel knew that Sinwar could become the
head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But, 12 years later, the Israeli government thought
it was no longer relevant. The Shin Bet had very good intelligence during those
12 years. According to the military expert, Israel had the opportunity, about a
dozen times, to take Sinwar down. It was a political decision, mainly by Prime
Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not to eliminate Sinwar.
*For political reasons, Israel is known to
prop-up evil leaders. This happened with Yasser Arafat and with Mahmoud Abbas. Israel
also used Hamas as leverage against the Palestinian Authority – to keep the two
groups from uniting, but also to weaken one group against the other.
*Israel is willing to pay a heavy price to
get hostages back alive. Also, to see the bodies returned of hostages who died
in captivity, so families can have a proper burial of their loved ones.
*The international community, especially
Egypt, is often involved in hostage negotiations. In the case of what is
happening, currently, with Hamas turning down Israeli and U.S. proposals, the
devil is in the plans, Sinwar is the “king pin,” and Israel has stuck its foot
in a demonic quagmire. PRAYER IS NEEDED!
*Publicly, it appears that the pressure on Israel by the powerbrokers (the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar) is to take any Hamas deal, which is actually hardening Hamas’ position. So far, it seems Hamas has not agreed to anything short of a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire. This would give Sinwar and his men the ability to remain alive, and he would boast to have defeated Israel in its military goals. It also does not guarantee that he would release all the hostages, even if he agreed to it.
SCRIPTURE:
ECCLESIASTES
3:16: “And I saw
something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there; in
the place of justice—wickedness was there.”
PRAYER:
*The situation looks impossible… but GOD. A breakthrough is needed, as in the time of Pharaoh. It’s another declaration, in which we cry out: “Let My people go!” We ask You Lord: What will it take for You to deliver Israel out of this wicked stronghold?
WAR IN THE SOUTH AND IN THE NORTH:
A significant expansion of the war in the north is, reportedly, imminent. It is not clear how Israel will juggle both the south and the north, militarily.
Prophetic Vision:
ECCLESIASTES 1:6: “The wind blows to the south and turns to
the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.”
Seen in the
Spirit is that there will be this circular course of a whirlwind. It starts in the south, right on the border
with Gaza, and then it goes northward. Israel may not be finished with the
south, but will have to focus attention on the north, more and more. Then, come
back to the south when necessary.
ISRAEL’S CONDITION: SCRIPTURE, PRAYER AND
DECLARATIONS:
Israel is under psychological warfare. The families
of hostages are confronted by false hopes, scary videos, and their own tortured
souls as they look at their loved ones suffering at the hands of Hamas. One of
the recently released hostages lost his father the day before his release. His
father would not eat, and died of a broken heart, never getting to see his
released son from captivity.
As the hostage negotiations continue, Egypt,
Qatar, and the U.S. are getting messages to Hamas, Sinwar, and his
handlers. And, then receiving messages back from this enemy
arch-terrorist who tortures God’s people, day in and day out.
Isaiah 14:32: “What
shall we tell the enemy messengers? Tell them that the LORD has built
Jerusalem, and that the poor of His people will find refuge in its walls!”
Today, the poor of His people (the displaced
residents from the south, and from the north of Israel) are finding refuge in
Jerusalem, and its surroundings, as the enemy relentlessly pursues its nefarious
goals in the south and in the north of the country.
PRAYER AND PROCLAMATION:
We declare:
You, Lord, and You alone, will settle the matter in Gaza. And, that nations will respond to You, the God
of Israel, in a righteous way. According to Isaiah 25, a strong people
will honor You. Cities of ruthless nations will revere You. You will stop the
oppressive acts of ruthless people. You will stop the breath of the terrible
ones -- the tyrant’s breath that is like a rainstorm against a wall -- like the
relentless heat of the desert (that we are experiencing now in the weather of
this dry and thirsty land!)
We proclaim
that, You, Lord, remain a refuge for the poor, and a refuge for the needy in
their distress. You are a shelter from the rain, and a shade from the heat, for
Your People, Israel – for the hostages; for every one of them that experiences
torture, day and night, at the hands of their oppressors; at the hands of Your
enemies.
But, You
silence the roar of foreigners -- of foreign nations. As the shade of a cloud
cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless violent people are stilled. (from Isaiah 25:5).
*We pray that
as the songs are stilled Lord, You will also still the
lips of these terrorists and their partners in crime!
As in Psalm
35:1-10, Lord, we appeal to You, God, to contend with those that contend
with Israel.
Fight against
those who fight against this nation.
Take up shield
and armor; arise and come to Israel’s aid.
Also, draw out
the spear, and stop those who pursue us. Say to the souls of Your people: “I, the
Lord, am your salvation.”
Let those be
ashamed and dishonored who seek the lives of Israelis. Let those be turned back
[in defeat], and humiliated, who plot evil against Your People.
Let them be [blown away] like chaff before the wind [worthless, without
substance]; with the angel of the LORD driving them on.
May their path
be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
For no reason
they hid their net in a pit. For no reason they dug the pit to trap Israel.
May ruin
overtake them by surprise; may the net they hid entangle them; may they fall
into the pit, to their own ruin.
Then we will
rejoice in the LORD. We will be glad because He rescued Israel!
With all my
heart I will say to the LORD, "There is no one like You. You protect the
weak from the strong, the poor from the oppressor."
REMEMBERING WHAT GOD HAS DONE & REMINDING HIM OF HIS PROMISES:
We thank You
Lord, that You are good, and Your mercies endure forever! Bring Israel out of
this web of entanglement that the wicked one has set. Lead Israel in Your path to
salvation! AMEN!
(Source: Global Prayer Watch News & Prayer Update)