Hamas rejects ceasefire. Large-scale regional conflict imminent.
Israel’s defensive war against Iran and its proxies is at a critical juncture, and appears to be escalating.
Rather unexpectedly, Israel withdrew most of its forces this week from Gaza. However, PM Netanyahu has also announced that Israel is preparing for a full ground operation in Rafah – the last stronghold of the Hamas leaders and remaining military battalions – now that negotiations have again broken down.
Hamas rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal on Monday, according to senior officials in the terror organization as reported by multiple news outlets.
Israel’s offer reportedly included the release of additional Palestinian prisoners, whom Israel holds, in exchange for Hamas releasing 40 hostages and a three-stage ceasefire.
“We reject the latest Israeli proposals that the Egyptian side informed us of. The politburo met today and decided this,” said Ali Baraka, who is responsible for the Hamas’s foreign relations.
Hamas has repeatedly rejected previous ceasefire proposals, demanding a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and unrestricted movement of Palestinians from south Gaza to the northern part of the Strip.
US Congressman Ritchie Torres linked Hamas’ rejection with the way Israel is treated by the international community.
“The hyperbolic and hysterical demonization of Israel—from fair-weather friends—makes Hamas feel emboldened to continue rejecting ceasefires and continue holding the hostages captive,” Torres wrote. “Sinwar feels like he is winning.”
The US and most countries oppose an operation in Rafah, arguing it is unnecessary and will precipitate a humanitarian crisis. And yet no-one has come with a credible alternative scenario which would enable Israel to defeat Hamas.
A ceasefire now, without release of the hostages and Hamas’ total surrender, will mean that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have won the war. This would enable them to rebuild their military apparatus, in order to continue their campaign to the Jewish people and destroy Israel.
At the same time, Hezbollah continues to threaten Israel from Lebanon. Hezbollah (backed by Iran) is also provoking anti-Israel terror in Syria and Jordan. Israel has been preparing for a large-scale operation to protect its citizens and national security.
And on top of all of this, Washington and its allies believe that a major attack on Israel by Iran is imminent and may be launched in the coming days. The Islamic Republic’s response to the killing of an Iranian general in Damascus, Syria on April 1, which Tehran has blamed on the Jewish state, could involve high-precision missiles being launched at Israel, according to a recent report.
Pray for divine intervention and for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the protection of the Jewish people, and that their enemies will be defeated. Pray that Messiah come and establish His reign of peace.
Hamas rejects ceasefire offer in Cairo
A Hamas official, whom Reuters didn’t name, told the news agency that “there is no change in the position of the occupation [Israel] and therefore, there is nothing new in the Cairo talks,” and that “there is no progress yet.”
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‘Matter of when, not if’: Iranian attack on Israel imminent
According to U.S. and Israeli intelligence, the expected assault “may not necessarily come from Israel’s north.”
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Why do people ignore the (historical) facts and share lies or half-truths when it comes to Israel?
Excellent interview with Douglas Murray.
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All Gaza hospitals used by Hamas, Islamic Jihad
A Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesperson captured by Israeli forces in Gaza admitted to interrogators that Islamic Jihad and Hamas use all of the hospitals in the enclave.
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How Islamic Jihad manipulates the Western media
Meet Tariq Salami Otha Abu Shoulf a spokesman for the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. In his interrogation he reveals in simple terms how they organize the mass manipulation of the media. “The world media accepts what Hamas and Islamic Jihad say as the gospel, they do not understand that they are an integral part of the terrorists offensive battle plan. Hamas uses the world media as their iron dome, to prevent Israel from fulfilling our goals by manipulating minds of decent people.”
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But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
17 Let me not be put to shame, Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19 How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.
21 Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.