[Today's Prayer] Middle East still on Thin Ice Despite diplomatic drive… Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah Intensifies

Despite the diplomatic efforts of neighboring countries to prevent an escalation of the war in the Middle East, tensions like thin ice are continuing as armed conflicts between Israel and the pro-Iran Lebanese armed group Hezbollah continue over the weekend.

According to the British daily Guardian and Associated Press on the 18th (local time), Israel air-struck a building in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, killing at least 10 Syrian workers and their families and injuring 5 others.

Hezbollah stated in a statement that all 10 of the dead were civilians.

This is the largest civilian casualty attack since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified in the Lebanese border area following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in October of last year.

The Israeli military claimed that the airstrike targeted a weapons depot used by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah then immediately retaliated by firing 55 missiles at the Ayelet HaShahar kibbutz (collective farm) in northern Israel.

The Israeli military said there were no casualties in the attack, but several fires broke out.

(omitted)

Hezbollah, considered a key proxy force of Iran, threatened strong retaliation against Israel after Faud Shukr, a close associate of the leader, was killed in an Israeli attack last month, and Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, was killed in Iran.

The war that has been going on in the Gaza Strip for over 10 months is at risk of spreading throughout the Middle East, and neighboring countries are waging an all-out diplomatic war to prevent a full on war, but Hezbollah and Israel are not lowering the level of fighting, and tensions are continuing to rise.

On the 16th, Hezbollah showed off its momentum by releasing a video of trucks loaded with missiles passing through its underground tunnel network.

A Hezbollah source told the Guardian, “The enemy (Israel) wants war and is always trying to put pressure on us, so we are prepared for all possibilities,” and emphasized that Hezbollah’s rocket attack capabilities are “very large” and that what was revealed in the video today is only a “little drop in the bucket.”

Meanwhile, Amos Hochstein, the US White House Middle East envoy, visited both Tel Aviv, Israel and Beirut, Lebanon last week and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

The ceasefire negotiations for the Gaza war, which are scheduled to continue in Cairo, Egypt this week following the Doha, Qatar, talks on the 15th and 16th, are also focused on preventing escalation by restraining Iran and Israel from retaliating through a ceasefire.

However, the Guardian pointed out that while Iran and Hezbollah are temporarily postponing full-scale retaliation while the ceasefire negotiations are taking place, Hezbollah is still saying that it will retaliate regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.

Hezbollah's No. 2 Naim Qassem said on the 15th that the response to Israel would be "completely separate" from the Gaza war, but that other military operations against Israel could be halted if a ceasefire was reached.

Source: Yonhap News

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

As the war between Israel and Hezbollah continues and Hezbollah threatens revenge on Israel, it is difficult for us to see an end to the conflict and war in the Middle East.

God, who is the light and savior, would you destroy the schemes and lies of Satan that make people hate and retaliate against each other, and stop all wars that threaten the lives and peace of those who suffer and groan in war.

Have mercy on the Israelis and Arabs who live in fear due to the continuous air raids, and lead them to the light. When they are the most desperate, grant them the grace to accept Jesus Christ who gave them life and to have hope for heaven.

So that they may rise up with bold faith that does not fear death and become stars that lead many people in the Middle East to the right path.

Especially, would you awaken the Israeli and Arab churches and lead them with the fire of the Holy Spirit, so that when the church that holds the key to the kingdom of God prays, we will see the amazing work of ending all conflict and war! May the church spread God’s love everywhere and exalt His name.

Therefore, may the Israelis and Arabs prepare the way for the Lord to come and praise Him together!