March 8th, 2024 | Messianic World Update | Israel's conflict with Hamas and the Rising Anti-Semitism

Shalom everyone! This is Monte Judah from Lion and Lamb Ministries. Today is Friday, March 8th, of the year 2024, and here is the latest Messianic World Update. Let's dive in.

This week, Benny Gantz, former Defense Minister and current member of Israel's war cabinet, made an unauthorized trip to the U.S. Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's opposition, Gantz met with the Vice President and other members of the U.S. administration. The aim of this trip is speculated to be an attempt by the Biden administration to sway Gantz toward their perspective on the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Despite international efforts to deliver aid, chaos ensues, and innocent Palestinians are being hurt in the process. In fact, during the first U.S. aid drop, two of the parachutes failed to open, killing five Palestinian people when the packages landed on the ground.

The U.S. has proposed establishing an aid port on the Gaza coast to deliver humanitarian supplies, but this won't resolve the core issue: Hamas. The terrorist organization continues to hold hostages and refuses to agree to a permanent ceasefire. If there's to be any hope for peace in Gaza, Hamas needs to surrender, release all hostages, and dismantle.

The threat from Hezbollah on Israel's northern border persists with persistent attacks. Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has given Hezbollah until March 15th to negotiate peace on the border. If they fail to do so, Israel may be forced to take direct action.

Meanwhile, in Yemen, the Houthi rebels continue their assault on international vessels. In their latest attack, their missiles hit a vessel, causing five civilian casualties. The U.S. and British warships in the area have been successful in intercepting some of these attacks but are nearing the end of their operational capacity, raising logistical challenges for the Biden administration.

On the political front, France recently again raised the possibility of unilaterally declaring a Palestinian state. However, given the current state of leadership and borders in Palestine, such a declaration would likely lack substance and effect.

In the nuclear sphere, Iran is on the threshold of becoming a nuclear-armed state. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has lost sight of Iran's nuclear activities, and Iran now boasts that they have the material to build a nuclear bomb within two weeks, if they so choose.

Here in the U.S., anti-Semitic sentiments seem to be growing in our universities, Congress, and even within the White House. This rise in anti-Jewish hatred is deeply concerning and is a reminder that we must not forget the horrors of the Holocaust.

Let's continue to pray for Israel and all those affected by these conflicts. Pray for the safe release of the hostages and that God's protection will be upon us all.

Shabbat Shalom to all of you.