March 15th, 2024 | Messianic World Update | Current Events in Gaza, Israel & Middle East
Welcome everyone to another edition of Messianic World Update. I'm Monte Judah with Lion and Lamb Ministries, and today’s date is March 15th of the year 2024. Here’s the news.
A major point of concern is the ongoing humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. As Hamas continues to control the distribution of aid to the Palestinian people, reports indicate that the majority are subsisting on a single meal a day. The ongoing conflict has severely limited hospital services that are stretched past their limits, especially for new mothers and their infants, many of whom are not surviving due to a lack of adequate medical care.
Despite these dire conditions, negotiations are still stalling. Qatar has stepped up as the chief negotiator between Israel and Hamas, but Netanyahu has rejected their latest offer. The offer calls for a complete ceasefire, allowing Hamas to survive, and demands the return of 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners, but the Israeli position is clear: they want to eliminate Hamas completely to secure Israeli safety and the release of all hostages and bodies of hostages back to Israel.
The casualty numbers coming out of Gaza are disputed. While the Palestinian Health Ministry estimates around 31,000 deaths, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania has used statistical analysis to call this number into question. Israel has verified that they have killed 13,000 terrorists.
Turning to domestic politics, Senator Chuck Schumer has called for new elections in Israel with the intention of removing Netanyahu. This comes in the wake of Biden's State of the Union speech, where he mentioned that Netanyahu needs a 'come to Jesus' meeting. Schumer also mentioned that if Israel doesn't change its government, U.S. aid to Israel should be cut off. Netanyahu, however, remains firm that the citizens of Israel determine their own government.
In another development, Hezbollah, on the northern border between Israel and Lebanon, is still launching anti-tank missiles, rockets, and sniper fire across the border. This has resulted in a response from Israel, with numerous airstrikes deep into Lebanon. If Hezbollah doesn't retreat, we could be looking at an offensive from Israel into southern Lebanon.
As Ramadan begins, there is increased tension in Jerusalem. Thousands of police have been stationed in preparation for the influx of Muslim pilgrims coming to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Meanwhile, the situation in Yemen remains volatile, with the Houthis continuing to launch missile attacks.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, an LGBTQ teen died last month under suspicious circumstances. Parents reported that their child had been beaten and harassed at the high school where the student attended. The Bidens released a statement after news of the teen’s death hit news outlets around the world.
Their statement, “Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities,” was indeed a true and right statement. However, why didn’t President and Jill Biden say something similar when many American Jewish college students were being harassed and attacked on their college campuses? Interestingly, the White House remains silent on the anti-Semitic hatred that is rapidly growing across the country.
Despite the bleak outlook, it's important to keep faith and hope alive. Pray for the release of the hostages and for peace in Israel.
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Until next time, Shabbat Shalom to all of you.