Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
It’s war!
I’m sorry that I cannot begin my newsletter as I usually do, but with war in the south, war in the West Bank, and now full-scale war in the north, there is no physical shalom in Israel. On Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Northern Arrows aimed at breaking the back of the terrorist organization, Hezbollah, in Lebanon and opening the door for the return of 800,000 northern Israelis to their homes. They had been forced to flee after hostilities began in the south with Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 massacre. Hezbollah had thought they’d do their terrorist brothers a solid by firing thousands of missiles over Israel’s northern border, sending Israelis in the area fleeing south. This they’ve continued to do in the months since.
For nearly twenty years, Hezbollah has been preparing for a major attack on Israel. They just needed to wait until they were strong enough, Israel was weak enough, and their Iranian masters gave them the go-ahead. In that long stretch of years, Hezbollah burrowed like moles into the Lebanese infrastructure. They built bunkers and tunnels. They established weapons caches and launch sites. They infiltrated the Lebanese society, essentially turning all of southern Lebanon into one big human shield. They accomplished their goals, becoming fully entrenched into the cities, towns, and fields.
Then a plan arose. Iran would unite the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, and their other proxy militias into one coordinated attack on Israel that would decimate the hated Jewish land. It was a good strategy and would have caused major pain to Israel. But it never happened, because Hamas got antsy and decided they’d launch everything early, choosing October 7, 2023, as their kickoff day. The rest of the terrorist organizations were taken completely off-guard. Why would Hamas take such a foolhardy, premature action? I believe it is partly due to divine intervention and partly due to Hamas never being the brightest bulbs in the terrorist chandelier.
When Israel set its sights on Gaza, Hezbollah knew that a clock began ticking for them. It was obvious that the Israeli people had had enough. They were done with the threats coming from the north and the south. In the beginning of the war, the existential threat was from the south. But head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and all his minions knew that when the Jews were done in Gaza, they’d turn their targets to the north.
The terrorists in Lebanon scrambled to get themselves prepared, all while firing a steady barrage of missiles over the border in order to dissuade Israel from coming their way. Unfortunately for Hezbollah, their hard work over the past two decades was no match for Israel’s technological advances in the military arena. The terrorists worked to hide their weapons. However, Israel has 3D models of every building in Lebanon, and they know where the bad stuff is hiding.
That is where we find ourselves now in the midst of Operation Northern Arrows. Several days before the operation actually began, Israel struck Beirut in a targeted action that took out all of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force commanders, including Ibrahim Aqil who had replaced Fuad Shukr as the terrorist organization’s military chief. They had unwisely gathered together in an underground apartment to strategize an October 7 type attack, when a massive blast ended their schemes and their lives. The military legs were suddenly knocked out from under Nasrallah.
Then, the IDF warned the people of southern Lebanon to flee, and many people listened. Over a half million ran, either going farther north in the country or running east toward Syria. Once enough time for escape had been given, the air attack began on Monday. And it was devastating. If you want to follow the details of the actions in the north, as well as the West Bank, Gaza, and the rest of the Middle East, be sure to follow me on my Telegram channel. You’ll know it’s mine because I was just recently verified. So, make sure you look for the checkmark.
It’s estimated that in just the first day of attacks, more than fifty percent of Hezbollah’s weaponry was destroyed. Immediately, people began complaining that the IDF was targeting people’s homes. However, if you watch the videos of those homes being hit, you’ll see multiple secondary explosions as munitions cook off. In some, you’ll even see errant rockets firing and plunging into hillsides or open fields. In southern Lebanon, it is estimated that two of every three houses are storing Hezbollah munitions of some kind. It’s not that these poor people wanted to stash weapons in their homes. It’s just what happens when the bandidos ride into town and become the law.
In the ensuing days, more than 3000 targets have been struck. Will airstrikes be enough to break the back of Hezbollah? Sadly, it likely won’t. That is why the IDF is preparing for a ground maneuver into southern Lebanon which might even have begun by the time you are reading this. While the military is confident about success in Lebanon and optimistic about a short timetable, they are still preparing for what could become another drawn-out battle as was faced in Gaza.
For all the success the IDF is having, Hezbollah is not taking this lying down. Massive rocket barrages have been fired into Israel from Lebanon with the targets being farther south than they’ve been since the Second Lebanon War in 2006. I’ve mentioned before that I live within a mile of the Ramat David Airbase, which is the northernmost base of the Israeli Air Force. My family and I have spent many hours lately in our bomb shelter. Several days ago, we had a rocket drop in my town. I worry little for myself when the missiles are falling. But as a husband and a father who is passionately committed to protecting my family? Please, pray for me and those around me.
Even with the rockets falling, we’re getting by. Earlier this week, I was able to record a Breaking News Update during which you can make out the sound of the interception of rockets in the background. Later, I managed to get video of when a rocket had fallen just across a dirt field from our CONNECT office. That’ll get the adrenaline flowing. Yesterday, I was able to record the first CONNECT Authors’ Corner with Steve Yohn, during which we talked about our upcoming thriller, The Sick Man’s Rage. It was very timely, because the book begins with the events of October 7, then works its way forward. All the time we recorded, I kept listening for the siren that would send me and my crew scurrying to the shelter. Then, this morning I recorded a new episode of Explore the Bible with Steve’s dad, Dr. Rick Yohn. I’ll keep you apprised of when each show will be released.
Despite Hassan Nasrallah’s efforts, he is becoming a lonely man. Of the 18 primary members of Hezbollah’s military chain of command who were below him, only two are still alive. And it is not just his dead staff that are disappearing, so are his live peers. Fellow clerics are urging him to stop Hezbollah’s madness in Lebanon. Mohammad Ali Al-Husseini, a Lebanese cleric, fellow Shi’ite scholar, head of the Islamic-Arab Council in Lebanon, and number two man in the Muslim World League issued a statement pleading with Nasrallah to pull out of Lebanon. He said, “Your [operations] in southern [Lebanon] can no longer be tolerated…. I swear, the war against Lebanon is only one step away, and only you can stop it and save our country from destruction and the people from perdition. Make a brave and historic decision to immediately stop the military operations.” The Sheikh told Nasrallah that he should hand southern Lebanon over to the Lebanese army and leave. We’ll see if that happens.
As always happens, because Israel is showing such dominance it is now receiving pressure from its “friends” for a ceasefire. The United States and France have been working on details that would lead to a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s benefit would be a severing of the connection between Hezbollah and Hamas, with fighting continuing in the south but not the north. Nasrallah and Hezbollah would gain a temporary respite, during which they could come out from their hidey-holes without fear of having missiles drop on their heads.
Why would Israel possibly agree to this, especially knowing that it is only temporary? Ultimately, there is no benefit. A non-defeated Nasrallah will never agree to eventually pull back beyond the Litani River and disarm. It will take a constant barrage on Hezbollah to finally break their backs so that they are ready to surrender. We must keep the pressure up, not give the terrorists breathing room. I can’t imagine the Israeli government agreeing to this, but I’ve been surprised before.
Even as it heats up in the north, the battles still rage in the West Bank and Gaza. Just because focus shifts, it doesn’t mean that the terrorists pack up and move on. The IDF has much work to do still, particularly in Judea and Samaria.
In news that is closely tied to Israel, but in a round-about way, former president Donald Trump was presented evidence by U.S. intelligence of “tangible and specific” threats of assassination by Iran. As he was reading that, Iran’s President Pezeshkian was enjoying a meeting in New York City with France’s President Emanuel Macron. This begs the question why a man whose country is threatening a former U.S. president is sitting comfortably and worry-free within the Big Apple?
While Iran’s president hobnobs in New York, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was apparently accidentally given access to his own X account on which he promptly posted, “Hezbollah is winning.” Interesting perspective there, Mr. Supreme Leader. He then went on to post about how he’s feeling good about the Carolina Panthers’ chances for the Super Bowl, how Southampton has a real shot to rocket up the table in the Premier League, and how he’s laying down money that the North Melbourne Kangaroos are going to take out the Richmond Tigers in next year’s Australian Footy Grand Final.
The Ministry
Join me this morning for a new show called “Let’s Connect”! I recently had the privilege of hosting three sisters who are dear friends of mine. We walked down memory lane together, then enjoyed some of their amazing messianic music. Tune in today at 10:00 AM PDT!
Join Jan Markell, Pastor Barry Stagner, Pastor Mike Golay, and me for another CONNECT Round Table on Monday at 10:00 AM PDT as we discuss why the rapture matters. As prophecy unfolds around the world, it seems that so much of the church is disregarding this crucial topic. We don’t want it to become irrelevant!
Make sure to take the time to visit our Behold Israel Shop to check out our most recent additions! We have even added a build-your-own-bundle feature in order to provide you with efficient pricing as you add more books to your cart. At the end of the day, our passion is to get resources into the hands of people everywhere. We have also added new accessories and apparel!
Next Wednesday evening begins Rosh Hashanah. While its name means “the head of the year”, it is not the beginning of the biblical calendar. Instead, it is a very significant day that has a whole lot to do with God’s prophetic plan. Be watching for a special video I will be releasing that will give you a lot of background surrounding this special time of year.
May God bless you for your continued prayers and financial support of Behold Israel. I have seen His hand in very special and practical ways over these past weeks as the northern fighting has ramped up. It is such an encouragement to me and the whole team at Connect to know that you are lifting us up before the Lord in prayer.
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsarfati
Amir Tsarfati, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.
