Global SITREP B5-23: Follow-up to Operation Shield and Arrow

Jerusalem Day flag march at Damascus Gate 2021

UPDATED! May 15, 2023: This follow-up SITREP to Operation Shield and Arrow is not to down play what the IDF achieved in combat against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (holy war), but to highlight what the prophetic Word of God has to say. Israel's government has given its blessing to Palestinian Islamic Jihad having its hudna, a period of time in which the terrorists are permitted a "time out" to re-organize its decimated leadership and re-constitute its means to "lift up their head" yet again to wage war against the citizens of Israel. This is in full view of Israel's enemies who hate to God of Israel and have declared their intent is to cut Israel off from being a nation; that the name of Israel be forgotten (Psalm 83:4). The same goes for all of the rest of Israel's enemies around them. This includes HAMAS.

Yet, for some currently unfathomable reason, which possibly if not probably is grotesquely political in nature, the IDF staff are giving some assurance through Israeli media that HAMAS is less likely to attack when Israelis march through Jerusalem this week in celebration and remembrance of the liberation of East Jerusalem in the Six Day War of June 1967. In today's edition of Israel HaYom (Israel Today) the IDF has published their assessment that the now concluded Operation Shield and Arrow has "reduced the chance" that HAMAS will rain rockets down upon Israel's cities; that Israel now exists in a "more secure position" than it was just days ago. The IDF does concede that its assessment of  HAMAS holding its fire is not high, but it still exists. 

In military terms this is known as a "Probability versus Risk" assessment. Instead of there being a High Probability-High Risk of HAMAS going to war later this week, the IDF assesses a Low Probability-Low Risk of HAMAS going to war against Israel.  This assessment is based upon the fact that, despite its public rhetoric, HAMAS did not actively engage in direct combat support of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's one-thousand rocket and mortar launches aggression. A HAMAS spokesman is also on record to Arab media saying that it will not allow the "Judaization" of the al-Aqsa Mosque, the performance of religious sacrifices or "Flag Marches;" that HAMAS will thwart any Jewish attempt at expansion or control over Jerusalem." That kind of Islamist language means one thing: Jihad (unholy war ). 

According to the prophetic Word of God there remains a considerable military action for the IDF to engage in pursuit of the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38:8-11 and "bring the Eretz Israel (the land of Israel) back from the sword" so that Am Israel (the people of Israel) "all of them now dwell safely." This is the safety and security Israel will briefly experience prior to the Gog of Magog attempt to invade. That means, as we have discussed for a very long time, the whole of the Psalm 83, Isaiah 11, Ezekiel 28, Joshua 13, Isaiah 17, and Jeremiah 49:34-39 prophecies must come to their fulfillment first. 

Missile War over Ashkelon 13MAY23 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Will the Islamists of HAMAS launch a war later this week? Eschatology Today assesses the Probability-Risk as a Medium-High Probability and Medium-High Risk. Will this war happen as some point? Yes, it is an absolute certainty. Was the IDF successful in keeping HAMAS out of this past week's war with the PIJ? Not really. HAMAS follows the dictates of Iranian Twelver clerics, as does Hezbollah. 

Eschatology Today believes it was not within the will of God for the greater war to occur this past week, and as always this belief is based upon the Word of God. In the midst of the linked verses above from Ezekiel's prophecy, right in the middle, we read the words "On that day." These words signify an appointed time, the Lord's appointed time in accordance with His will. In the same manner we can turn to Isaiah 11:11 and read "And it shall come to pass in that day..." This prefaces what takes place in verse 14, and verse 14 deals explicitly with - Gaza. Ezekiel 28:25-26 reiterates the word given to Isaiah, which is also about the timing. And which is to say 'when this has been done, then this will happen." And finally, we have Psalm 83 which explicitly names all of the enemies noted in Ezekiel 28:24. 

These things must take place.

Marana'tha!

UPDATE! 17 May 2023: Eschatology Today has always been keen to note "past as prologue" within prophetic Scripture. I believe we've just witnessed a forerunner, or more correctly a partial fulfillment of what Asaph the Chozeh (Prophet) wrote in Psalm 83:9-18. Psalm 83:9-12 are the key verses, and verses 13-18 will be the embodiment and ultimate fulfillment. 

Israel's military and intelligence capability has progressed to the point where they enabled the precise, real-time geo-location of the critical cadre of enemy leaders. A tremendous technological feat to be sure! These enemy leaders were dealt with (killed) as Midian, Sisera and Jabin were in the very first seconds of the IDF's Operation Shield and Arrow. Then, within 24-48 hours, the second tier-level of leaders who stepped up into the deceased leaders roles were dealt with (promptly dispatched) as were Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna in ancient times. 

I was awakened this morning to what was originally published here on 22 September 2009 being replayed in my mind - word for word. My response was, "Yes Lord, I understand." Talk about excitement!!! This posting was titled "All these things be fulfilled... Part I and Part II." I would direct your attention specifically to the Part II section of the post as there was a lot of research done in order to fully comprehend the prophetic nature of what Asaph was inspired to write, and then perform as a song. Asaph was not only a prophet of God, but he was a musician and sang these words as a song. My sense is that what we just witnessed was a foreshadowing of some of the specifics and events which are soon to occur in in complete fulfillment of what we have long referred to as the Psalm 83 scenario.