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Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, chairing a meeting with leaders of Palestinian factions at his office in Gaza City in 2022 Credit: Adel Hana/AP

Yahya Sinwar, 62, the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel is dead. Earlier today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet confirmed that Sinwar was killed on Wednesday “in a clash with Israeli forces in southern Gaza where operations intensified based on intelligence pinpointing the whereabouts of senior Hamas leaders” (Ynet News).

The Times of Israel reports that “the 162nd Division and Gaza Division have been operation in Gaza in areas where intelligence indicates senior Hamas officials have been hiding. A force from the 828th Bislamach Brigade killed three terrorists, and one of them was identified today as Sinwar.”

“According to initial reports, the Hamas leader was killed by tank fire called in by IDF soldiers who had identified armed terrorists in a building. When the soldiers subsequently searched the premises, they discovered that one of the bodies bore a striking resemblance to Sinwar” (JNS).

Telegraph reports, “Photographs from the scene showed the corpse of Sinwar, Israel’s most wanted man, with a bloody hole in his skull. The assassination marks the most significant killing of the year-long war and a significant victory for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, who had long described him as a ‘dead man walking.’”

Ynet News notes,

IDF forces discovered large amounts of Israeli cash and identifying documents on the terrorists’ bodies. Due to the presence of explosives and grenades, drones were initially used to examine the bodies.

One of the terrorists bore a strong resemblance to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, leading troops to believe they may have killed him unintentionally, without prior intelligence. The exact location of the raid remains undisclosed for security reasons.

To confirm Sinwar’s identity, soldiers photographed the body and sent the images to the Israeli police’s forensic unit. Assistant Commissioner Aliza Raziel, head of the unit, confirmed that the teeth in the photos matched Sinwar’s dental records from his time in Israeli custody.

‘We had Sinwar’s dental data on file, and the match was clear,’ Raziel said. ‘This was one of the most significant moments this year, allowing us to quickly provide critical information to the field.’

Further evidence suggesting Sinwar’s death included the presence of a senior Hamas commander known to frequently accompany him. Reports from Gaza indicated the other two terrorists killed were Sinwar’s bodyguards, one of whom worked as a teacher for UNRWA and the other a high-ranking official in Hamas’ National Security Office.

Reuters reports,

Sinwar, who was named as Hamas’ overall leader following the assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, was believed to have been hiding in the warren of tunnels Hamas has built under Gaza over the past two decades.

His death could dial up hostilities in the Middle East where the prospect of an even wider conflict has grown. Israel has launched a ground campaign in Lebanon over the past month and is now planning a response to an Oct. 1 missile attack carried out by Iran, ally of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

But the demise of the man who planned the attack last year in which fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel and captured more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies, could also help push forward stalled efforts to end the war in which Israel has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz celebrated Sinwar’s death on Thursday, stating, “This is a great military and moral victory for Israel and the entire free world against the radical Islamist axis of evil led by Iran. The elimination of Sinwar creates possibilities to immediately free the hostages and bring a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza without Hamas and without Iranian control” (The Times of Israel).

Regarding the status of the hostages, The Jerusalem Post reports,

Sinwar was widely believed to be hiding in Hamas tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip, never staying in one location for too long and avoiding communications technologies, relying on messengers.

The Hamas terror chief was believed to be surrounded by the remaining hostages as a human shield, which had reportedly prevented the IDF from striking and killing him. Again, the IDF reiterated in their statement that no signs of hostages were present at the site of the strike.

Conflicting reports emerged of whether Sinwar had left the tunnels over the course of the Israel-Hamas War, and the IDF obtained footage of the Hamas chief walking through the tunnels in February of this year.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to notify the families of the hostages about Sinwar’s death and that there was no indication that any of the hostages were hurt in the deadly battle with Sinwar.

On Thursday evening, Netanyahu addressed the nation of Israel, stating,

We have a great opportunity to halt the [Iranian-led] axis of evil and to create a different future. A future of peace, a future of prosperity for the entire region.

Now it is clear to everyone, in Israel and in the world why we insisted on not ending the war, why we insisted in the face of all the pressures to enter Rafah, the fortified stronghold of Hamas where Sinwar and many of the murderers hid. (The Jerusalem Post)

To the families of the hostages who have been held for over one year, Netanyahu promised, “This is an important moment in the war. We will continue to work with all our powers to bring home all your loved ones, who are our loved ones. This is our highest commitment. This is my highest commitment” (The Jerusalem Post).

To the Hamas terrorists, Netanyahu added, “Your leaders are fleeing and they are being killed… whoever lays down arms, we will allow him to leave and to live. Whoever attacks our forces, his blood is on his own head” (Breitbart).

Netanyahu also directed his comments to the Palestinians in Gaza, “telling them that Sinwar had ‘destroyed’ their lives. While pretending to be brave, he was killed trying to flee.’” He added, “Hamas will no longer govern in Gaza.” (Breitbart)

Netanyahu added: “To the nations of the region I say: the darkness is in retreat and the light is rising. We can find a different future, a future of peace” (Breitbart).

He closed with a verse from Psalms (18:38): “I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them, never turning back until they were consumed” (Breitbart).

Blessors of Israel is closing monitoring all developments related to Israel’s seven-front war. Please join me in praying for the safe return of the hostages and for the peace of Israel and her people.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | October 17, 2024

Russia and Iran are Working Towards a “New World Order”

Russia and Iran are working together to achieve a “new world order.” That is what Russian President, Vladimir Putin said on Friday, October 11, 2024, as he met with his newly elected Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders were attending a forum in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat and met on the sidelines to discuss their strategic partnership.

Putin wants to create a “new world order” so that Russia’s allies may counter the United States and the West (Al Jazeera). And Putin wants Iran to play a key role in the establishment of this “new world order.” Putin said, “Relations with Iran are a priority for us. They are developing very successfully.”

Putin added, “Moscow and Tehran actively cooperate with each other in the international arena and often agree on their assessments of world events. This year, we year are witnessing an increase in the volume of trade between the two countries and its good trend” (Breitbart).

Pezeshkian agreed, stating, “From the economic and cultural point of view, our relations are getting stronger day by day. The growing process of cooperation between Iran and Russia should be accelerated according to the will of the supreme leaders of the two countries and the need to strengthen these relations” (Breitbart). (Please note that Russia does not have a “supreme leader”).

Pezeshkian also told Putin that he is hopeful that they will be able to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement during their next meeting at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia on October 22-24. BRICS is an alliance of countries co-founded by Communist China and Russia in 2009. Iran joined the alliance in January of 2024.

Since the start of Russia’s war with Ukraine, Russia has relied on Iran for drones and ballistic missiles. The Associated Press reported, “Moscow and Tehran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Iran to export drones to Russia after Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, and the U.S. also believes it has transferred short-range ballistic missiles.”

The Jerusalem Post reported that, earlier in the day, Pezeshkian also took aim at Israel because it has exacted a devastating blow on two of it proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Pezeshkian said Israel should “stop killing innocent people” and that the United States and the European Union are supporting Israel as it seeks to destabilize the Middle East.

It is important to note that since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorist stormed into Israel and murdered 1,200 people, raped women and young girls, beheaded and burned babies, and took 250 people hostage, Putin and his minions have repeatedly sided with Israel’s enemies and attacked Israel’s efforts to rid its people of an existential threat from its neighbors (The Jerusalem Post).

Why are these developments important when it comes to understanding the events of the latter days? Because Russia and Iran will play significant roles in the events leading up to the Great Tribulation. As I have shared repeatedly, both in print and during the Blessors of Israel podcasts, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation according to Ezekiel 38-39. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, will be part of that alliance which will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:5, 8). These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

In the midst of this great opposition, God will come to Israel’s rescue and pour out His “blazing wrath” upon her foes in order to deliver Israel from certain destruction through a series of cataclysmic judgments (Ezek. 38:18-23). First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.” Second, the invading armies will turn on each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.” Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.” Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

These developments between Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Watch and pray. Stay alert and intercede for Israel.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | October 11, 2024

The Threat of Peace in the Middle East Led to Nasrallah’s Death

As Israel and Jews around the world celebrate the Jewish New Year of 5785, Rosh Hashanah, it is important to remember what happened one year ago. Why? Because what happened one year ago ultimately led to the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah.

It was a little over a year ago, September 22, 2023 to be exact, that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the 78^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (U.N.G.A.). During his speech, Netanyahu addressed the obstacles to achieving peace in the Middle East. At that time Netanyahu said, “Many decades of efforts to make peace with Arab Nations have failed because they were based on one false assumption – that the Palestinians must be appeased as a precondition to peace. The Palestinians have much to gain from new peace agreements. They should be part of these agreements, but they should not have a veto on peace” (Israel National News).

But there was a ray of hope, for Netanyahu shared a promising update regarding the normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia, stating, “I believe that we are at the cusp of a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Such a peace will go a long way to ending the Arab Israeli conflict.”

Part of Netanyahu’s optimism was based on what a peace agreement could mean for Israel and the entire region because it would include “a planned corridor connecting the Arabian peninsula, Israel, and Europe, to allow for travel, shipping, and energy pipelines between all of the countries involved” (Israel National News).

The potential for peace between Israel and the Arab nations was not warmly received by all in the Middle East. Ten days later, on October 2, Hassan Nasrallah addressed the possibility of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia during a speech that marked the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed, and issued the following condemnation and threat, that all Muslims “must bear responsibility for what is happening to the Palestinian people and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Instead of heeding this call, we see moves toward normalization. Any country that might sign a normalization agreement should be condemned and held accountable for its actions” (Israel National News).

Five days later, on October 7, normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia came to a screeching halt after Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists barbarically attacked Israel, murdering 1,200 people, raping women and girls, beheading and burning alive babies, and taking approximately 250 people hostage. That day, Nasrallah’s threat became a reality.

On October 8, in a show of support for Hamas as it faced retaliation from Israel, Nasrallah ordered his Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters to fire rockets into northern Israel. At that time, Hezbollah declared that they would not stop attacking Israel until there was a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (Independent).

Nasrallah kept his word. Hezbollah attacked Israel for the next 11 months. On September 22, 2024, Danny Dannon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.), said “Since Oct. 8, over 8,000 rockets have been fired at our people, over 70,000 have been forced to flee their homes, becoming refugees in their own land” during a meeting at the U.N. (The Hill).

Initially, Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s attacks were more defensive in nature since the IDF needed to neutralize the threat from Hamas in Gaza. But on Thursday, September 12, the IDF shifted its focus to the north after it declared victory in the battle of Rafah having defeated Hamas’s four battalions within four months (Breitbart). Israel entered into a new phase of its war against terrorism and began to systematically attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon while eliminating members of Hezbollah’s leadership.

On Tuesday, September 17, pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists exploded throughout Lebanon and Syria, leaving 12 dead and approximately 4,000 wounded, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, who “lost one eye and suffered serious injury to the other when a pager he was carrying exploded” (JNS).

Then on Wednesday, September 18, “Lebanon’s health ministry said 14 people were killed and 450 wounded” when Hezbollah’s walkie-talkies exploded (Axios).

Israel still has not taken credit for either attack against Hezbollah, but The Jerusalem Post independently confirmed significant details related to the operation and has concluded that the Mossad and IDF intelligence were involved.

Axios reported, “After the explosions on Wednesday, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said in a visit to an Israeli Air Force base that ‘the center of gravity is moving from Gaza to the north through the diversion of resources and forces. We are opening a new phase in the war.’”

“Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi held meetings at the northern command’s headquarters and approved the updated operational plans for Lebanon, the IDF said. ‘We are determined to create the security conditions that allow the return of our citizens to their homes with a high level of security, and we are ready to do whatever it takes to bring these things about. We have many capabilities that we have not yet activated,’ Halevi said in a statement” (Axios).

Then last Friday, September 27, at the United Nations (U.N.), Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a blistering speech, calling Hezbollah, the “quintessential terror organization in the world. . . with tentacles that span all continents” (Times of Israel). Netanyahu then declared,

In the last year, completely unprovoked, a day after the Hamas massacre on October 7^th, Hezbollah began attacks against Israel, which forced more than 60,000 Israelis on our northern border to leave their homes, becoming refugees in their own land. Hezbollah turned vibrant towns in the north of Israel into ghost towns. So I want you to think about this in equivalent American terms. Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns.

Then ask yourself: How long would the American government tolerate that? A day, a week, a month? I doubt they would tolerate it even for a single day. Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for nearly a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say enough is enough.

We won’t rest until our citizens can return safely to their homes. We will not accept a terror army perched on our northern border, able to perpetuate another October 7^th-style massacre. . . . As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has not choice. And Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their homes safely, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Just this week, the IDF destroyed large percentages of Hezbollah’s rockets, which were built with Iran’s funding for three decades. We took out senior military commanders who not only shed Israeli blood but American and French blood as well. And then we took out their replacements. And then the replacements of the replacements. And we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met (Times of Israel).

Netanyahu clearly meant what he said, for prior to his U.N. speech, Breitbart reports that Netanyahu approved the largest airstrike against Hezbollah since October 8, 2023, one that targeted Hezbollah’s headquarters and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The attack was codenamed, “New Order” (JNS).

Telegraph reported that Netanyahu left Israel for New York to “trick” Hezbollah’s leader into thinking he was safe, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph. “Mr. Netanyahu’s address to the UN was part of a ‘diversionary plan’ intended to make Hassan Nasrallah believe Israel would not take drastic action with the prime minister out of the country. . . Nasrallah was believed to be watching Mr Netanyahu’s speech ‘and was then attacked by Israeli Air Force planes’, the official said.” “Netanyahu approved the strike before delivering his speech at the UN,” the official added. He went on to say that the Israeli assessment was that Nasrallah was in the building at the time of the strike.

On September 28, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) confirmed Nasrallah’s death (JNS). A short time later, Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah was killed by the Israeli strike. Reuters reported, “The group said in a statement it would continue its battle against Israel ‘in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people.”

The JNS reported “The deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in the Israel Defense Forces strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on Friday, according to Iranian media. Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan commanded Tehran’s Quds Force in Lebanon and oversaw the IRGC’s Operations Command.”

Last week’s strike sent a clear message to Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and the rest of the world. In fact, it appears that Iran is paying close attention to what Netanyahu said at the U.N. because he had a specific message for that “evil regime” as well.

For too long, the world has appeased Iran. It turned a blind eye to its internal repression. It turned a blind eye to its external aggression. Well, that appeasement must end. And that appeasement must end now.

Nations of the world should support the brave people of Iran who want to rid themselves of this evil regime. Responsible governments should not only support Israel in rolling back Iran’s aggression, but they should join Israel. They should join Israel in stopping Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

In this body and the Security Council, we’re going to have a deliberation in a few months. And I call on the Security Council to snap back UN Security Council sanctions against Iran because we must all do everything in our power to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons. For decades, I’ve been warning the world against Iran’s nuclear program. Our actions delayed this program by perhaps a decade, but we haven’t stopped it. We’ve delayed it, but we haven’t stopped it. Iran now seeks to weaponize its nuclear program. For the sake of the peace and security of all your countries.

For the sake of the peace and security of the entire world, we must not let that happen. And I assure you, Israel will do everything in its power to make sure it doesn’t happen (Times of Israel).

After convening a security council meeting, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel for Nasrallah’s assassination while hiding in a secured location. Khamenei declared, “(Nasrallah) was not an individual. He was a path and a school of thought and the path will be continued. . . The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged” (Reuters).

Khamenei has been in hiding ever since, paranoid because he “no longer trusts anyone” after Nasrallah was assassinated (MSN).

On October 1, Iran fired almost 200 ballistic missiles at Israel to avenge the deaths of Nasrallah, Nilforoushan, and former Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Israel and the United States intercepted “a large number” of them (The Times of Israel).

Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “acknowledged that some of its airbases were hit in Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack on the country a night earlier, but stressed that no harm was caused to the functioning of the Israeli Air Force” (The Times of Israel).

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah and prior to Iran’s attack, Netanyahu told the Cabinet that Israel was witnessing “days of historic achievements. . . we are in decisive days. While we celebrate the new year, may it be a good one. . . We are in a war for our very existence. We will unite, go hand-in-hand and defeat our enemies. The people will arise like a lioness, and the Eternal One of Israel will not lie. So ends a year and its curses, and with God’s help so begins a year and its blessings” (JNS).

May it be so. And may all heed God’s promise to Abraham, allies and enemies alike,

And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you I will curse.

And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

(Genesis 12:3)

God meant what He said and what God said will be done.

Please join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem, for Israel and her people.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | October 3, 2024

Netanyahu Meant What He Said, “Enough is Enough.”

Updated 10:20 AM (PST) September 28, 2024

In a blistering speech on Friday, September 27, at the United Nations (U.N.), Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hezbollah, the “quintessential terror organization in the world. . . with tentacles that span all continents” (Times of Israel). Then Netanyahu declared,

Just this week, the IDF destroyed large percentages of Hezbollah’s rockets, which were built with Iran’s funding for three decades. We took out senior military commanders who not only shed Israeli blood but American and French blood as well.And then we took out their replacements. And then the replacements of the replacements. And we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met (Times of Israel).

Netanyahu meant what he said.

Prior to his U.N. speech, Breitbart reports that Netanyahu approved the largest airstrike against Hezbollah since October 8, 2023, one that targeted Hezbollah’s headquarters and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The attack was codenamed, “New Order” (JNS).

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the approval of the attack in Beirut. September 27, 2024. PMO media dept.

Telegraph reports that Netanyahu left Israel for New York to “trick” Hezbollah’s leader into thinking he was safe, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph. “Mr. Netanyahu’s address to the UN was part of a ‘diversionary plan’ intended to make Hassan Nasrallah believe Israel would not take drastic action with the prime minister out of the country. . . Nasrallah was believed to be watching Mr Netanyahu’s speech ‘and was then attacked by Israeli Air Force planes’, the official said.” “Netanyahu approved the strike before delivering his speech at the UN,” the official added. He went on to say that the Israeli assessment was that Nasrallah was in the building at the time of the strike.

Earlier today, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) confirmed Nasrallah’s death (JNS). A short time later, Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah was killed by the Israeli strike. Reuters reports, “The group said in a statement it would continue its battle against Israel ‘in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people.”

The JNS reports “The deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in the Israel Defense Forces strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on Friday, according to Iranian media. Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan commanded Tehran’s Quds Force in Lebanon and oversaw the IRGC’s Operations Command.”

The Jerusalem Post reports that Nasrallah’s daughter, Zainab Nasrallah, may have been killed in the Beirut strike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari delivered the following message in English after the strike:

Moments ago, the Israel Defense Forces carried out a precise strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organization – that served as the epicenter of Hezbollah’s terror.

Hezbollah’s central headquarters was intentionally built under residential buildings in the heart of the Dahieh, in Beirut, as part of Hezbollah’s strategy of using Lebanese people as human shields.

On October 8th, Hezbollah started attacking Israel.

After almost a year of Hezbollah firing rockets, missiles, and suicide drones at Israeli civilians, after almost a year of Israel warning the world and telling them that Hezbollah must be stopped, Israel is doing what every sovereign state in the world would do if they had a terror organization that seeks their destruction on their border, taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely (X.com).

The Associated Press reports “News of the blasts. . . came as Netanyahu was briefing reporters traveling with him. A military aide whispered into his ear, and Netanyahu quickly ended the briefing.”

It is also reported that Netanyahu returned to Israel and did not wait until the end of the Sabbath on Saturday evening. Typically, Israeli politicians do not travel on the Sabbath unless there is a matter of grave importance.

There are conflicting reports regarding Israel’s notification of the United States about the strike. Axios reports, “An Israeli official said Israel notified the U.S. minutes before the strike in Beirut, but two senior U.S. officials denied that, telling Axios they had no prior warning.” President Biden told reporters the U.S. had “no knowledge of or participation in” the IDF attack.

Earlier this week, the U.S. and France had been pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Netanyahu was criticized for sending mixed messages about Israel’s willingness to discuss a ceasefire.

But yesterday’s strike sent a clear message to Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and the rest of the world. In fact, Iran should pay close attention to what Netanyahu said at the U.N. because he had a specific message for that “evil regime” as well.

For the sake of the peace and security of the entire world, we must not let that happen. And I assure you, Israel will do everything in its power to make sure it doesn’t happen (Times of Israel).

Israel wants peace. But, as Netanyahu promised, Israel is “committed to removing the curse of terrorism that threatens all civilized societies” (Times of Israel).

Blessors of Israel is closely monitoring this developing story. Please pray for Israel and her people at this critical time.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | September 28, 2024

What do pagers and walkie-talkies have in common? Not only do both devices permit users to communicate with one another, when modified by Israel, they can also send an explosive message to one’s enemies.

Then on Wednesday, September 18, “Lebanon’s health ministry said 14 people were killed and 450 wounded” when Hezbollah’s walkie-talkies exploded (Axios).

World Israel News reports that “Ronen Bergman, who writes for the New York Times and Yediot Ahronoth, says the number of people killed by the beeper explosions is higher than the reported 12 yesterday and 14 today. ‘The estimation is that there are many dozens of dead, if not more,’ he said.”

“The Lebanese Civil Defense. . . stated it was operating to extinguish the fires that had broken out following the explosions in some 60 shops and homes, 15 vehicles, motorcycles, and two fingerprint devices. It added that ambulances were transferring the wounded to hospitals throughout the country. . . . According to unconfirmed reports, Hezbollah has told its operatives to distance itself from communication devices. Unofficial reports also claimed that Hezbollah told its members to dispose of devices containing a lithium battery or that are connected to the internet. Additional unconfirmed reports claimed that lithium batteries for solar energy storage had detonated and that some houses were on fire.” (The Jerusalem Post).

“According to reports, as little as one to two ounces of the explosive material was implanted adjacent to the battery in each pager, along with a switch that could be used to detonate the explosives” (The Jerusalem Post).

“The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar exposed the extent of the damage in its editorial, calling it one of the most severe blows dealt to the terror organization since it began launching attacks on Israel last October. ‘In just one minute, the enemy managed to deliver the harshest blow to Islamic resistance since the onset of the conflict,’ the article stated, adding it was ‘an exceptional security operation in terms of the ability to reach targets and means, and in demonstrating elements of Israeli technological and intelligence superiority’” (The Jerusalem Post).

Telegraph reports that “Hezbollah has vowed Israel will be ‘uniquely punished’ after [the] second wave of explosive booby fire traps struck the terror group across Lebanon.” “Revenge is inevitable,” a senior Hezbollah official said. “We will confront the enemy with a new approach so that they know we are a people who will not retreat,” said Seyed Hashem Safiuddin, without providing any details. “The resistance tells Netanyahu that we are present and our capabilities remain unharmed,” he added.

Israel has not taken credit for either attack against Hezbollah, but The Jerusalem Post independently confirmed significant details related to the operation and has concluded that the Mossad and IDF intelligence were involved.

According to two sources, “Israel’s goal in the second wave of attacks was to increase paranoia and fear in Hezbollah’s ranks, in an attempt to press the militia’s leadership to change its policy regarding the conflict with Israel. . . . to convince Hezbollah that it is in its interest to disconnect itself from Hamas and cut a separate deal for ending the fighting with Israel regardless of a ceasefire in Gaza.” The two sources added “that the decision to conduct the second attack was also driven by the assessment that Hezbollah’s investigation into the pager explosions would likely expose the security breach in the walkie-talkies” (Axios).

The attacks against Hezbollah come on the heels of US special envoy Amos Hochstein’s visit to Israel on Monday, September 16. When “Hochstein visited Israel on Monday, Netanyahu, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and other senior officials were engaged in hours of security consultations around the issue of the operation being potentially compromised. When they met with Hochstein, they didn’t even give him a hint about what was going on behind the scenes, a U.S. official said” (Axios).

Axios also reports, “After the explosions on Wednesday, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said in a visit to an Israeli Air Force base that ‘the center of gravity is moving from Gaza to the north through the diversion of resources and forces. We are opening a new phase in the war.’”

Breitbart reports,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a mysterious ten-second video on Wednesday, the second day of a series of attacks targeting Hezbollah terrorists throughout Lebanon through their communications devices. Netanyahu [said] in Hebrew: ‘I already said, we will return the residents of the north in safety to their homes. And that is exactly what we will do.’”
On Tuesday, Israel’s security cabinet decided to expand the current war goals — destroying Hamas, freeing the hostages, and ensuring Gaza can never threaten Israel again — to include returning northern residents to their homes. . . . Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, and which is occupying southern Lebanon illegally, has launched thousands of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and drones at Israel, unprovoked, since October.
Israel has responded in kind, but has been forced to evacuate some 60,500 residents from 74 northern towns — both Jewish and Arab.
Diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., have failed to convince Hezbollah to stop attacking Israel and to withdraw north of Lebanon’s Litani River, in accordance with the agreement that ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
Israel has said that it will use military force to push Hezbollah away from the border if necessary. Hezbollah, armed by Iran and its allies, is thought to be a far stronger force than Hamas, but Israelis broadly support a war against it.”

Al Arabiya reports, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, described the blasts as “shocking,” and said their impact on civilians was “unacceptable.” “There must be an tindependent, thorough and transparent investigation as to the circumstances of these mass explosions,” he said. “Those who ordered and carried out such an attack must be held to account.”

Blessors of Israel is closely monitoring this developing story. Please pray for Israel and her people at this critical time.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | September 18, 2024

Is Russia preventing or preparing Iran for war with Israel? You will not see that headline in the mainstream media, but when you piece together articles from various sources, an alarming picture comes into view.

On July 31, 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, an Iranian-sponsored terrorist organization, was assassinated around 2am in Tehran, Iran. Haniyeh had been visiting Iran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the day before. Originally, Haniyeh was scheduled to depart from Tehran after Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony but stayed in Tehran after Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s senior military commander, was eliminated by Israel in the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon earlier that day, “making him the most senior figure from the group to be killed in nearly 10 months of conflict with Israel” (The Times of Israel).

According to i24News, an explosive charge was placed under Haniyeh’s bed by “two Iranians recruited by the Mossad from the Ansar al-Mahdi unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” It appears that the “alleged agents” were tasked with guarding the building where Haniyeh was staying. Security camera footage shows the guards “walking quietly down the hallways towards the room where the target planned to stay, unlocking the door and entering the room. Three minutes later, the guards – who were each offered a six-figure sum and immediate relocation to a country in Northern Europe – were caught on camera calmly exiting the room, descending the stairs towards the main entrance of the building, exiting, and then getting into a black car. The guard at the parking barrier recognized them and opened the gate without asking any questions. An hour later, they were smuggled out of Iran by the Mossad, the report said.” Iran rejects this report and claims that Haniyeh was killed “by a ‘short-range projectile’ and a ‘severe explosion’ outside a guest house where he was staying” (MSN).

The assassination of Haniyeh is a “huge embarrassment” to Iran, dealing a “critical blow to Iran’s security apparatus, exposing severe vulnerabilities and indicating deep foreign intelligence penetration within the Islamic Republic,” according to analysts (Al Arabiya News). Similar to Israel’s response to Iran’s attack in April, when Israel struck a major air base near a nuclear site in Isfahan (NBC News), “Analysts said that the assassination sent a clear message to Iran and its allies; they are not beyond Israel’s reach, even in Tehran. It also highlighted the extent of Israel’s covert capabilities within Iran” (Al Arabiya News).

As of today, Israel has not taken responsibility for the assassination of Haniyeh. This has not kept Iran and Hamas from accusing Israel of being behind Haniyeh’s assassination. After convening an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the Ayatollah “ordered a direct strike on Israel” (i24 News). Later, Iran warned that “blood vengeance” for the killing was “certain” (MSN). But to the surprise of many, Iran has not done so. Why?

Today, it was reported that “Iran’s new president is battling against the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in an attempt to prevent all-out war with Israel” (Telegraph). Pezeshkian “has suggested targeting somewhere related to Israel in the Republic of Azerbaijan or [Iraqi] Kurdistan and let these countries know before that and get done with the whole drama.” Evidently, he has also recommended “arming the Lebanese Hezbollah with more sophisticated weapons and ‘letting them fight’ with Iran’s intensified support.” Ultimately, the decision to attack Israel will be made by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian has been in dialogue with Iran’s Supreme Leader in order to avert an all-out war with Israel.

But what role has Russia played in this conflict? The Kremlin strongly condemned Haniyeh’s assassination immediately after it was confirmed, stating, “We believe that such actions are directed against attempts to establish peace in the region and can significantly destabilize an already tense situation” (The Moscow Times). Then it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin “asked Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for a measured response to the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and advised not to harm Israeli citizens, according to two senior Iranian sources” (i24 News). Putin’s message came in the form of a letter that was hand-delivered by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Iran’s leaders (MENAFN). During Pezeshkian’s meeting with Shoigu, Shoigu said, “We are ready to cooperate fully with Iran in various areas” (MSN).

What “areas” was Shoigu referring to? It appears that Shoigu may have meant Russian weapons and soldiers. Iranian officials say “Russia has begun delivering advanced air defense and radar equipment to Iran after Tehran asked the Kremlin for the arms” (MSN). While it is not clear “what equipment Iran had requested from Russia or what had been delivered. . . Iran already has some Russian-made S-300 air defense systems.” That said, it is highly likely that Iran wants Russia’s more advanced S-400 system which would require Russian soldiers to operate (MSN). According to Defense Express, “This would not be surprising, as Israeli media suggest that the Russian Federation might have already provided Iran with Iskander and Murmansk-BN air defense systems and the necessary personnel” (MSN). The S-400 system “can intercept any air threat; aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ballistic missiles” (MSN).

So, perhaps Iran has delayed its attack on Israel because it is waiting for Russia’s systems and soldiers to be in place. If so, then Russia is clearly preparing and not preventing Iran from going to war with Israel. More importantly, Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39, the Battle of Gog and Magog.

Blessors of Israel is closely monitoring this story and will provide the latest news with biblical commentary. Please continue to pray for Israel and her people.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | August 9, 2024

“Israel Delivered Crushing Blows to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis”. . . What’s Next?

Earlier today, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed the nation after Israel took decisive action against its enemies. Netanyahu opened his remarks, stating, “In recent days, we delivered crushing blows to all of our enemies, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. In the strike yesterday, we eliminated Nasrallah’s deputy, he was responsible for the murderous attack on Majdal Shams and one of the most wanted terrorists in the world. We settled the score and we will settle the score with all those who massacre our citizens” (i24 News).

Netanyahu was referencing the targeted elimination of Hezbollah senior military commander Fuad Shukr who was the right-hand man of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Israeli officials said the militant commander was behind the deaths of 12 children and teens in a weekend rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights as well as the deaths of numerous Israeli civilians in previous rocket strikes on northern Israel” (CBS News).

In 2017, the U.S. State Department placed a $5 million reward for information leading to the location, arrest, or conviction of Shukr in any country, stating, “He’s also a member of the Jihad Council, Hizballah’s highest military body. Shukr plays a key role in Hizballah’s military operations in Syria, and he helped plan and launch the 1983 attack on U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 of our Marines” (State.gov).

Shukr was killed by Israel in the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, “making him the most senior figure from the group to be killed in nearly 10 months of conflict with Israel” (The Times of Israel). Hours ago, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Milad Bidi, “an Iranian military advisor stationed in Lebanon was killed in the Israeli assassination” of Shukr (Al Arabiya News).

Less than 24 hours after Israel’s strike against Shukr, the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated around 2am in Tehran, Iran. Haniyeh was visiting Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. It is being reported that Haniyeh was not planning to stay overnight in Tehran but changed plans after Shukr was assassinated in order to meet with Iranian officials to discuss next steps against Israel. That same day, Haniyeh had also met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.

Iranian media reported on Wednesday “that a bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh. . . leaked critical information leading to his assassination. . . According to the report, an Israeli-made Spike short-range missile targeted Haniyeh’s bedroom. The missile was launched from a building close to where the Hamas leader was staying, with some reports suggesting it was fired from within Iranian territory” (i24 News).

The Biden administrations claims that they were not notified in advance of the assassination (Breitbart). That said, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said “We certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that April [when the US led coalition of forces that, together with Israel, almost completely thwarted an Iranian attack on Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles]. You can expect to see us do that again” (The Times of Israel).

During his speech, Netanyahu did not mention the assassination of Haniyeh and Israel has not officially taken responsibility for Haniyeh’s death. This has not kept Iran and Hamas from accusing Israel of being behind Haniyeh’s assassination. After convening an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the Ayatollah “ordered a direct strike on Israel” (i24 News).

Analysts submit that Iran may mirror their attack of Israel this last April, target Israeli nationals globally, escalate their nuclear activities, disrupt shipping lanes, or attack Israeli diplomatic sites. Analysts also “suggest that given the timing of the assassination – occurring just hours after the targeting of a top Hezbollah commander – it is likely to prompt a coordinated response from Iran and its allied militias” (Al Arabiya News).

According to Hamas sources, Khaled Mashaal “is expected to be chosen as the paramount leader of the group to replace Ismail Haniyeh” (The Jerusalem Post).

Blessors of Israel is closely monitoring this story and will provide the latest news with biblical commentary. Please continue to pray for Israel and her people.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | July 31, 2024

The Knesset - Israel's Parliament — The Knesset

Earlier today, Israel’s governing body, the Knesset voted 99-11 against any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State. Here’s the text of the statement approved by the Knesset:

1. Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions.

2. Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement. (Jewish News Syndicate)

Prior to today’s vote in the Knesset, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made it clear that he strongly opposed any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state when he said, “In the last few days we are witnessing a new type of pressure: An attempt to unilaterally impose upon us the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the existence of Israel. We reject it outright. My position was and remains clear, and only got stronger after the terrible massacre of October 7^th.” (Jewish News Syndicate)

What was the source of this “new type of pressure” that Netanyahu was referring to?

Last week, the Jewish News Syndicate reported that the Biden administration and “its Arab partners are ‘rushing’ to finalize the plan to establish a Palestinian state – a plan that could be announced in the next few weeks with hopes that a deal to release the remaining 134 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza in exchange for a six-week pause in fighting takes effect before Ramadan,” which begins on or around March 10^th.

The Biden administration believes that a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State may pave the way for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. At the same time, the White House is confident that a demilitarized Gaza can be achieved and maintained so that Israel’s security will never be threatened.

What precipitated the Knesset’s vote was the fact that the U.S. has not included Israel in its dialogue with other Arab nations. And the Knesset’s vote reflects the vast majority of Israeli Jews who are opposed to a Palestinian state after Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7^th.

During an interview this week on the Caroline Glick Show, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli said that “92% of Israeli Jews” are opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state because they do not believe that Israel state can peacefully co-exist with a Palestinian state as its neighbor.

Question: What do Netanyahu, the Knesset, and the Israeli Jewish population recognize about the Palestinian problem that the Biden administration and the rest of the western world refuse to acknowledge?

Answer: The Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank do not want to peacefully co-exist with Israel because they are committed to a One-State Solution; a.k.a., Hitler’s “Final Solution” for the Jews, meaning the annihilation of the Jews.

During an interview earlier this month, Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal confirmed that Hamas and the majority of Palestinians reject any Two-State Solution when he said,

“I would like to say two things about the two-state solution. First, we have nothing to do with the two-state solution. We reject this notion, because it means you would get a promise for a state, yet you are required to recognize the legitimacy of the other state, which is the Zionist entity. This is unacceptable. We demand to be liberated, to get rid of the occupation, and to have our independence, and our state. . . I believe that October 7 has enhanced this conviction, has narrowed the disagreements, and has turned the idea of liberating Palestine from the River to the Sea into a realistic idea that has already begun. It is not something to be expected or hoped for. It is part of the plan, part of the agenda, and we are standing on its threshold, Allah willing” (MEMRI).

Netanyahu, the Knesset, and Israeli Jews get it. They understand that Israel will never have peace if terrorism is rewarded.

But let’s be clear, even if the U.S. were to officially recognize a new Palestinian state or refuses to veto its full membership by the U.N., do you honestly believe the likes of Iran or Hezbollah will quietly stand down and welcome the establishment of a Two-State Solution?

And if a new Palestinian state is demilitarized, do you honestly believe it will stay that way for very long? Who will keep the weapons out Gaza and make sure it stays that way? The United Nations? Hasn’t this been tried before in places like Iran? How well did is that working when it comes to monitoring Iran’s nuclear program?

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel and the leaders of the United States.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 21, 2024

Russia, Iran, and the Battle of Gog and Magog

On Tuesday, February 13, it was reported that Russia and Iran are in the final stages of completing a long-term, comprehensive, strategic, partnership between the two nations. Russian Ambassador to Iran, Alexey Dedov told Sputnik, “This is truly the most important fundamental document, which may determine Russian-Iranian interaction for the coming years, and perhaps decades” (Al Mayadeen.net). Dedov also noted that “Russian energy companies are successfully working in the Iranian market, while Russia has taken the first place in the foreign investment in Iran. . . This illustrates the real level of our relations.”

Last month Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi worked through the details of expanding the cooperation between the two nations on political, trade, and military fronts during five hours of talks in December of 2023. And last November, the Kremlin said that Russia was working with Iran to strengthen their relations, “including in the field of military-technical cooperation.” At that time, Reuters noted that Iranian authorities had said that “military cooperation with Russia is expanding day by day. . .” and that “Iran. . . had finalized arrangements for Russia to provide it with Su-35 fight jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters and. . . pilot training aircraft.”

Both the United States and Israel have expressed concern about the deepening ties between Russia and Iran. This is due to the fact that Iran is committed to the destruction of the United States and Israel.

For example, less than a month after Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis, raped women and young girls, and took over 240 people hostage, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni, declared, “The situation between America and Iran is this: When you chant ‘Death to America!’ it is not just a slogan – it is a policy. . . . “If it were not for America’s support, if it were not for the support of U.S. weapons, the corrupt and artificial Zionist regime [Israel] would have been destroyed in the first week. It would have collapsed. The Americans are behind this.”

By strengthening ties with Iran, Putin is sending a clear message to Israel, the United States, and the West. In fact, Putin’s upcoming treaty with Iran reinforces the message that he has been sending to Israel since October 7, 2023.

Though I have done so in a previous article, it’s worth reviewing what Putin has said and his government has done since Hamas attacked Israel on that horrific day in Israel’s history:

October 13, 2023 – Putin equated Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip with Hitler’s “siege of Leningrad during World War II.” (Jerusalem Post)
October 26, 2023 – Russia hosted representatives from Hamas and Iran in Moscow. The purpose of their meeting was to address the ongoing war with Israel and to discuss ways to stop the “Zionist crimes supported by the United States and the West.” The Times of Israel reported that the “Hamas delegation praised the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the efforts of Russian diplomacy.”
November 1, 2023 – Russia’s representative to the United Nations said during an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, “The only thing they can muster is continued pronouncements about Israel’s supposed right to self defense, although as an occupying power, it does not have that power. . .” (Jerusalem Post)
December 14, 2023 – Putin praised Turkish President Erdogan after Erdogan declared his support for Hamas and insisted that Hamas is “not a terrorist organization.” Putin said of Erdogan, “He is certainly one of the leaders of the international community who is paying attention to this tragedy and doing everything to change the situation for the better, to create conditions for long-term peace. God bless him.” (Breitbart)

Again, I ask, “Is Putin a friend of Israel?” Clearly the answer is “No!” But you might be wondering, “Why are these developments important when it comes to Israel and the events of the latter days?” Because Russia and Iran will play significant roles in the events leading up to the Great Tribulation.

As I shared yesterday during Episode 34 of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, will be part of that alliance which will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:5, 8). These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.”

Second, the invading armies will turn against each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.”

Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.”

Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

So, the developments between Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Will you please join me in praying for Israel and for the leaders of the United States?

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 15, 2024

Yesterday, the Jewish News Syndicate reported that Saudi Arabia “clarified that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until there is a Palestinian state, an end to the war against Hamas and a complete military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”

The Saudi’s response was a direct counter to comments made on Tuesday by White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby.

During his daily briefing, Kirby struck an optimistic tone regarding normalization talks between Israel and the Saudis.

Kirby said, “We certainly received positive feedback from both sides that they’re willing to continue to have those discussions.”

The Saudi foreign ministry promptly issued the following statement clarifying its position regarding any future normalization talks with Israel:

“The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip.”

The Saudi’s stance not only stalls the Biden administration’s efforts to establish peace between its two Middle Eastern allies, it also signals that the Saudis have aligned themselves with China and Iran against Israel and the U.S.

If Israel were to agree to Saudi Arabia’s demands it would signal the beginning of the end of the state of Israel as we now know it.

First, Israel would have to return the land it won during the Six-Day War in 1967 when it was attacked by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. At that time, Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria, Jordan’s West Bank (i.e., Judea and Samaria) which included East Jerusalem, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip. Israel later withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 and then from Gaza in 2005. Such a withdrawal would open the floodgates for the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority, which are Iranian proxies, to mount an endless barrage of attacks against Israel.

Second, East Jerusalem, which includes Israel’s sacred Western Wall, would be handed over to the Palestinians and made the capital of the new Palestinian state.

Third, Israel would have to end its war against Hamas and remove its forces from Gaza. Once this happened, Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists would regroup and attempt to finish what it started on October 7, 2023, meaning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, Palestine will be free of the Jews.

While the demands by Saudi Arabia are troubling at best and the likelihood of Israel signing off is nil, let’s be clear, the Bible declares that one day, Israel’s borders will go well beyond the Jordan River. In fact, Israel’s border will extend to another river, the Euphrates River.

In Genesis 15, God established a Grant Covenant with Abram which means God bound Himself by an unconditional, unilateral oath to give the Promised Land to Abram and his descendants forever.

In verse 18, God declared what the borders of the Promised Land would be: “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.”

God later confirmed the Promised Land borders to Moses in Deuteronomy 1:6-8 and then to Joshua in Joshua 1:4.

Let’s identify the borders that God promised to Israel through His covenant with Abram.

The western boundary is the “Great Sea” which is the Mediterranean Sea (Joshua 1:4).
The southern border is the Nile River in Egypt.
The eastern border is the Euphrates River.
The northern border is Lebanon.

In today’s context, what countries would be included in the borders listed in Genesis 15?

First, the territory currently occupied by the Palestinians, the West Bank and Gaza, is included.
Second, a portion of Egypt to the south.
Third, some of Saudi Arabia to the southeast.
Fourth, all of Jordan to the east.
Fifth, a portion of Iraq to the east.
Sixth, some of Syria to the north.
Lebanon to the north.
And possibly the southeastern portion of Turkey as you follow the Euphrates River north by northwest.

Question: Has Israel ever fully occupied these boundaries?

Answer: No. Some of the regions were controlled by King David and King Solomon but they were never fully possessed or occupied by Israel.

Question: Why didn’t Israel fully occupy the Promised Land according to the borders of Genesis 15?

Answer: Because Israel failed to obey God’s command and allowed their enemies to remain in the Land which ultimately tempted them to sin against God by worshipping idols.

Question: Will Israel’s borders ever extend to what God promised Abram in Genesis 15?

Answer: Yes. Please remember that since God bound Himself by an oath, His promise to Abram must be fulfilled and it will be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom. During Christ’s 1,000-year reign, the Promised Land will experience peace, tranquility, and blessings as Jesus reigns on the throne of David from the capital city, Jerusalem.

What a glorious day that will be.

Will you please join me in praying for the return of Jesus Christ, the peace of Israel, and for the leaders of the United States?

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 8, 2024

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