September 6th, 2024 | Messianic World Update | Gaza Crisis Escalates: Hostage Executions, Negotiation Complexities, and Global Impact

Shalom, everyone, I'm Monte Judah with Lion and Lamb Ministries, bringing you the latest Messianic World Update. Today's date is Friday, September 6th of the year 2024. This week, we face sobering news that weighs heavily on our hearts. Six Israeli hostages, including an American-Israeli citizen, Hirsch Goldberg-Polan, were brutally executed by Hamas in Gaza. This tragic event has sparked intense reactions both within Israel and around the world.

The response to this horrific act has been, frankly, bewildering. Despite Hamas being responsible for these murders, many are inexplicably blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. Protests have erupted across Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators and even a general strike of transportation workers, claiming that Netanyahu's policies are causing harm to the hostages. This misplaced blame defies logic and moral reasoning.

Even more concerning is the stance taken by some international figures, including President Biden, who suggested that Netanyahu isn't doing enough to secure the hostages' release. This narrative ignores the complex realities of the negotiation process, which I feel compelled to clarify.

In a recent press conference, Netanyahu detailed the ongoing negotiations involving Israel, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. He revealed a pattern where Israel consistently agrees to proposed terms, only for Hamas to reject them. The reasons behind Hamas's continued refusal become clearer when we consider the roles of the mediating parties: Qatar, a known funder of Hamas; Egypt, which has aided in weapons smuggling to Hamas; and the U.S., which has shown signs of wavering support for Israel.

The current negotiations involve 18 points, with 14 already agreed upon by all parties. The remaining four points concern the staged release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel's stance on not releasing certain prisoners—those guilty of severe crimes against Israeli citizens—is entirely reasonable. We're also facing a "Sophie's Choice" scenario, where the potential release of 101 hostages (including 33 confirmed dead) would require freeing 800 Palestinian prisoners.

Another critical point of contention is the control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel is willing to step back, but only if another force, not Hamas, takes control. This is crucial, as we've learned that Yahya Sinwar, a key Hamas leader, is attempting to escape to Egypt and potentially Iran, possibly with hostages in tow.

Despite the media portrayal, a recent poll shows that 57% of Israelis support a more aggressive approach to ending this conflict and rescuing the hostages rather than agreeing to a ceasefire.

In the midst of this crisis, Israel continues its operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups. Operation Summer Camp in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) aims to prevent planned attacks on Israeli civilians. In the north, Hezbollah's continued rocket launches—over 1,300 in August alone—are causing significant damage and displacement.

As we approach the Jewish fall holidays, the threat of terrorist attacks looms large. We must remain vigilant and united in our support for Israel's security and the safe return of all hostages.

All of the events happening surrounding this war have deeply troubled me and are weighing heavy on my heart, so I’d like to share my commentary on the way things stand right now:

“The world, including the U.S. leadership, has lost its moral compass. Palestinian civilians have collaborated with Hamas in building tunnels, compromising non-military sites, purposely putting themselves as shields, and hiding Hamas leaders.

A review of October 7 shows us that 3800 trained gunmen entered Israel, and more than 2000 civilians followed behind them to take hostages. Palestinian civilians are just as guilty as Hamas gunmen.

If I could be in command, I would lay siege to all of Gaza: cut power, turn off water, allow no food in, and start destroying any structure to be used by Hamas. The message would be, ‘Surrender and give back hostages or die!’

In conjunction with Gaza, I would have the IDF hit Iran’s nuclear sites, leadership locations, and oil facilities. Next, I would threaten Iran with a nuclear strike if Gaza does not surrender.

How do you defeat a barbaric and evil enemy? You must change their hearts and minds. They must understand that they are going to die if they don’t stop.

This was the message to our enemies in WWII, fighting Germany and Japan. The acronym “US” did not mean the United States; it meant unconditional surrender.

In these trying times, it's crucial that we maintain our moral compass and discern between right and wrong. The world's inability to distinguish between the actions of a democratic nation defending its citizens and those of terrorist organizations and their barbaric behavior is deeply troubling.

Let us continue to pray for the safety of the Israeli hostages, for wisdom for the world leaders involved in this process, and for peace in the region. May we never lose sight of the truth amidst the propaganda and misinformation that surrounds us.

Shabbat Shalom to all of you.