Saturday, March 10, 2012

Escalation Continues: Israel Under Attack

Could this dramatic escalation in rocket fire into Israel represent the beginning of Iran's proxy wars?


Palestinian terrorists in Gaza targeted cities, towns, and farming regions in southern Israel with waves of rockets throughout Friday and Saturday, setting off air raid sirens and injuring eight people

Ninety two rockets - Qassams and the longer-range Grads - were fired by midday Saturday at civilian regions. Of those, the Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted 25 projectiles heading directly into city centers in Ashdod, Be'ersheba and Ashkelon. Sixty seven rockets exploded in Israeli territory, most of them in open fields. The barrage came after the IAF foiled a major terror attack, killing the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi.

Police bomb squad units moved from one explosion site to another seeking to ensure that the fallen rockets did not pose a further threat to the public.

The rocket barrages tapered off at around 3 a.m., but resumed again on Saturday morning, when air raid sirens rang out in Be'ersheba and Ashdod.

In addition to the major southern cities, terrorists targeted Israeli communities in the Eshkol Regional Council, Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, and other rural communities close to Gaza.

The IDF Home Front Command instructed all civilians living within 40 kilometers of the Gaza Strip to behave cautiously and ensure that they were never far from a designated safe room and away from windows.


Another barrage of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Saturday morning. The Iron Dome system intercepted a number of rockets over Be'er Sheva. Rocket warning sirens also sounded in Ashdod.

The IDF places responsibility for the escalation on Hamas.

In Gaza, 12 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Friday in IAF strikes. Most of the dead were Islamic Jihad operatives. Islamic Jihad said it has launched 23 Grad rockets and 22 Qassam rockets. The Popular Resistance Committees has also said that it has launched rockets at Israel since Friday.



On Friday night, IAF aircraft struck six targets in Gaza: two weapons manufacturing sites and two rocket launching sites in northern Gaza, a weapons manufacturing site in central Gaza, and a terror activity center in southern Gaza.

Also overnight, the IAF targeted a terrorist in central Gaza and six terrorist cells in northern and central Gaza as they prepared to launch projectiles at Israel, the IDF said.

On Friday, eight people in Israel were wounded by rocket fire and some damage was reported.

On Friday afternoon, the Israel Air Force launched a strike in Gazaand killed the leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhir al-Qaisi, who was believed to be planning a large terror attack on Israel's southern border.



Senior IDF officials that met regarding the ongoing escalation in southern Israel said on Saturday that the IDF will respond forcefully to any rocket attack against Israeli civilians.

The officials also noted the successes of the Iron Dome system, which has intercepted 25 rockets since the beginning of the escalation on Friday evening.

Speaking in Beersheba, Vilnai added that the situation in the south will become more clear in the near future. "We will know in which direction this escalation is headed by the evening," he said. "At this point it is up to the other side."


Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon (Israel Beiteinu) said that no terrorist is immune from Israeli strikes in Gaza. "All terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip, including those of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees, are potential targets," he said.

Ayalon added that "Israel's southern residents will not stay at the mercy of Hamas - the government of Israel will not accept this situation. Terrorist infrastructure will be destroyed and terrorist leaders will be hit."



The Quartet of Middle East negotiators - the United States, Russia, the United Nations and European Union - will meet on Monday to discuss the long-stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, the United Nations said Friday.

The UN press office said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet at UN headquarters ahead of a special UN Security Council session on the Arab Spring uprisings.

Ban Ki-moon said in Jerusalem last month that Israel and the Palestinians were running out of time to solve their conflict and ought to give the highest priority to resuming peace talks.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as a condition for negotiations, has demanded that Israel agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state along 1967 lines.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has refused to accept that request and has balked at the Palestinians' demands to freeze settlement activities on lands the Palestinians want for a future state.

In other news around the world:

Watching for the early stages for the formation of the "10 kings":


Relations with the US and China, climate change, poverty eradication, crisis management and counter-terrorism are to be the top priorities of the EU's new diplomatic corps, EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton told her stable of 136 ambassadors at a behind-closed-doors meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (1 December).

The speech, given at a regular annual gathering of EU envoys in the European Commission headquarters, doubled as a low-key launch ceremony for the European External Action Service (EEAS), which formally began life the same day.

And below we see some names that could gain importance in the coming months:

The sessions, which began on Wednesday and will last until 5pm Brussels time on Friday, also saw speeches by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliment head Jerzy Buzek and two of Ms Ashton's top managers - French EEAS secretary general Pierre Vimont and Irish EEAS administration chief David O'Sullivan. EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy is to speak on Friday, along with Ms Ashton's two deputy secretary generals, Helga Schmid and Maciej Popowski. Commissioners Kristalina Georgieva (aid), Karl de Gucht (trade) and Stefan Fuele (enlargement) are also in the line-up.
And note these comments (below):

Mr Barroso' speech urged the ambassadors to be "more assertive" in "co-shaping" the global agenda.

Mr O'Sullivan's catchphrase was that the EEAS will stamp the union's "footprint" on the world.


"There is a very exciting atmosphere. We feel like we are the builders of the new foreign service of the EU."

In a related development, Ms Ashton's office on Thursday named 57-year-old Italian crisis management specialist Agostino Miozzo as her right-hand-man in charge of civilian and military crisis-response planning. The post reports directly to Ms Ashton and stands above the still-to-be-named head of the EU's intelligence-sharing bureau, the Joint Situation Centre.




Germany wants to reignite a debate over creating an EU constitution to strengthen the bloc's ability to fight off financial troubles and counter-balance the rising influence of emerging economies, Germany's foreign minister said on Friday.

Guido Westerwelle said the bloc's Lisbon treaty, drafted after Dutch and French voters rejected a proposed constitution in 2005, was not enough to keep European decision-making structures effective.

"We have to open a new chapter in European politics," Westerwelle told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen. "We need more efficient decision structures."

"I think we have to reopen the debate about a European constitution again," he said. "We have a good treaty, but we need a constitution ... There are new centers of power in the world."

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had said in November that his country wanted to see changes to the EU's Lisbon Treaty by the end of 2012 in order to lay the foundation for a common fiscal policy in the bloc.


Just few days ago the EU has released an amazing 1 minute video meant to unite Europeans against foreign possible threats. Some newspapers, such as the Daily Mail for example accused the video of being racist but with EU’s 100 million (official) to 200 million (unofficial) non-European immigrants, the EU is anything BUT racist. Most Europeans countries opened their doors to foreigners in the 60′s, most of them coming from the Middle East and Africa. The situation in Europe is summed up quite well in this video. And in this situation, an official unity/solidarity promo-video for native Europeans is more than welcomed.

Also see:








21 comments:

Mike said...

This is way off topic, but is important. I have asked for prayer for a friend of mine, Michele, and many of you have said you would keep her in your prayers. To keep this short, she has been struggling and defensive about God lately, and hasnt wanted to hear anything about God for the past couple weeks.

Her aunt was abducted yesterday morning, and I am asking for your prayers that she is found, and found safe, and for comfort for the family. Michele, after a few weeks of no communication with me, came to me and asked for my prayers in this situation. I am also asking God to use this situation to speak to her, and draw her to Him.

Any and all prayers are appreciated. This just happened, and they know who the person is who took her aunt (her name is Helen). Please pray for this pressing situation.

Thank you....

Mike

Caver said...

HI Mike, certainly we will be praying.

That sounds awful. Is there a news link for this you can post? It must be reported and carried somewhere.

GG said...

Brother Mike-

I am so sorry to hear this. She has been through so much. I am glad she is turning toward you, help and more importantly the Lord. I will be praying for you all, especially that no weapon formed against her shall prosper. I pray the chains that bind her be loosed in the Sweet name of Jesus!!

Many Blessings!!

GG

Sharon said...

What do you think Jesus will look like when He comes for us during the rapture? I'm picturing Him like in Rev 1 (Revelation 1:12-16
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two- edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.)

Caver said...

Scott,

Who knows....could it lead up to the start of Isiah 17 hostilities...certainly in my little mind it could.

Geepers, in a tinder box like that....shucks, a sneeze in the wrong directions could be the lead sparkler.

But you just get the feeling that everything is pretty well staged, choreographed, and timed at this point. This just doesn't feel like the time....not quiet yet.

Course, everyone already knows my suspicion of the Sept-Oct time frame. But we'll see.

With this many dry powder kegs piled in so many piles, I guess anything could be THE spark.

Mike,

Would appreciate a link to the abduction so we could follow it and pray accordingly.

Mike said...

Thank you Caver and GG....much appreciated. I do not have any news link or source, as this is on the other side of the country from me...Pennsylvania I assume. I did find out that the police have identified the lady that took her, they just do not know where they are yet.

Please continue in prayer for this....I KNOW God is working here. of course, we never know specifically what His purpose will be, but I am praying hard for her safety, and that this has a life changing impact on Michele.

Thank you again!

Mike

Mike said...

Caver....I found this link. I'm encouraged that they say no foul play is suspected....

http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20120310/NEWS01/120319957/police-searching-for-missing-senior-in-caln

Thank you again for your prayers...

Mike

Dylan said...

Hey Mike, her name's Hellen, right? According to this article, she's been found. Looks like our prayers were answered.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8575845

Mike said...

Yes Dylan....that is her! God is AWESOME! I had complete faith he was gonna bring her home!

Thank you all for your prayers!

Now I ask that this can be a tool to give Michele faith through this.

Praise God!

Mike

Anonymous said...

And yet, timing is important as always. I DOUBT this will last until
SEP/OCT......EWI has stocks topping
in the VERY NEAR future.

Like I said before, one more push
above 13,000 on the Dow...we are
almost there.

and the wave counts of the bigger
(Y)wave structure will be complete.

When stocks do start to fall, it
will be fast, to be sure.
That 200+ day a few days ago was
A VISION of the DAMAGE bears are
capable of.

It is a warning.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Caver said...

Just Wow!

And just hours after we requested of our Father.

Lord God Almighty, we humbly thank You for this rescue...and answer to our prayer. We pray also, Father, that you prepare Michele's heart that she may see Your hand in this, that her heart will be softened, and that she will believe in and accept Your Son through faith....and call on You and be saved.

Thank You Father!

In the name above all names, Jesus Christ...our Savior.

Amen

Mrs.C said...

What a headline Brother Scott! Whew! The fascinating occurrence here also, is that the IAF took out some top barbaric paly terrorists. Very interesting, that everyone questioned the release of these barbarians, from prison in exchange for Gilad Shalit.
But it is apparent, that Israel could count on these evil men, and women too for that matter, to attempt to maim and kill Israelis. Therefore giving the Israeli’s the opportunity to finalize these terrorists fate...

Mike said...

Caver....I have to say....AMEN!!

Thank you so much for your dedicated prayer....and AMEN to the praise you left here!

God is so truly amazing....I have, and I am not one to, been brought to tears today several times in awe of my God, my Savior....truly amazing love He has for us!

I want to thank you again...everyone, for your prayers...and please....PLEASE keep praying for Michele....she called me to let me know her aunt is in he hospital, but is doing fine.....and I think....I THINK...this whole thing has made an impact....PLEASE keep praying for her!

All praise to God our Father...and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!!!

AMEN


Mike

Jec said...

Hi everyone. My emotions are piling up sky high, and so much is on my mind. I was really excited to here from Mike that Michelle's aunt was found!

Mike, I'll will continue to pray for Michelle's salvation.

Off topic, but as hard as it is for me to say this, .....but i just don't think my wife will be coming home, at least not here to her earthly home. Thank you all for your prayers. I so appreciate each and every one of you. God has a purpose and a reason for everything. We both see so many things now that we didn't see 23 years ago when we first got married, (three weeks after our first date I might add). I do not want to inject a lot of drama here, but if we both knew then what we know now, my wife would have probably been gone about 10 years ago. The information that my wife has had MD all along was hidden from her just until yesterday-(a God thing). And a blessing in disguis was the fact that I was the pusher and she was the follower. Pushing her along the way and not really knowing that this was the thing that has helped in the long run of things. I admit, I was never the husband I should have been, nor was she the wife she could've been, but because of God's infinite wisdom, He fit us together at just the right time, two people with diverse backgrounds for His ultimate purpose. I told ya, the emotions are a spinning out of control! Sorry you all for that. Ok, so I must stop!

So the doc said she has 6 months and wants to move her into hospice care because her heart is in really bad condition. Please pray for our two children and me that we would all do, act, and say all the right things that we are supposed to say and do and express openenly to one another the love we ought, even those things that are deep within our hearts that because of hard hearts, we find hard to do at times. Pray that God would draw each of us to Him. There is so much going on that it is unbelievable at times the things we are going through and I can only imagine all my other brothers and sisters in Christ who are experiencing the same. At the same time, I have so much good news to share that has happened this past week that it is absolutely shocking and at the same time unbeleivable. I will try and share at a later time. Thanks again for your prayers.

GG said...

Dear Jec~
Thank you for sharing that hard but heartfelt news with us, your family here on the blog.

My heart is going out to you. I don't want to say things are going to be easy, as I am sure they are not. I do believe that your strength and love for the Lord is going to see you all through this day by day.

I wish I could hug you all. I pray you all will be able to re-write wonderful pages in your book of life shared by you all down here while you can. I am excited she is saved and we know she will be reunited with us all very soon. I look forward to meeting your precious family.

It shouldn't be much longer for us, and we are here for you through it all too. Hang in there. I will be praying for you all daily.

God Bless!!
GG

1 Peter 1:3-9
New King James Version (NKJV)

A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

mary said...

Dear Jec, my heart is breaking for you and your family right now.You will be in my prayers for our Father to give you strength in the coming days.Cling to Him and stay in His word daily.
Psalm 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart. He is mine forever!
11 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
God bless my brother, and keep us posted. mary

Alice said...

Jec, you and your family are all in my prayers! My that peace which passes all understanding be yours - ALL of yours.

Scott said...

Jec - Just remember - no matter how this evolves, we will be reunited with each other and in our glorified bodies. Meanwhile, we'll be praying for you and your family. Also praying that she will be pain free and peaceful regardless of the circumstances. I was telling someone last week that I'll be surprised if we're here by the end of the year. We'll see. All in God's will.

Mike said...

Thank you Jec for your prayers yesterday for the situation with Michele's aunt.

My heart goes out to you, and I will keep you in my prayers as well. We have had a similar situation in our family, and I can relate...wont go into it, as it is past. But as Scott said, we will all be reunited, and all of the pain and hard situations will be behind us forever....and I believe wholeheartedly it s very, very soon.

God is in COMPLETE control!

Mike

Caver said...

Jec,

Words just fail, Brother. Rest assured there will be prayer from the Caver household.

Praying for peace and comfort that passes all understanding, and knowledge, wisdom, and discernment among your entire medical staff.

Anonymous said...

I am going to say the weirdest thing ever but JEC, play praise music constantly. In your house ( leave it playing even when you ae not home) in your car and at hospice. It doesnt have to be very loud even. Ive never suggestef this before to anyone unless they were struggling with some scary demon type harrassment. Im not sure why but I feel STRONGLY in my spirit that this will be somewhat helpful to your family. If you know any super prayer warriors or powerful christians, try to get them to pray together and lay hands on your wife and whole family!
Lord, gather this family together under your wing, provide them with all their needs and show them your unending love and mercies! Shower them with discernment and your healing power and your never ending grace. Give them peace and cut off the attack of the enemy through the blood of your son. Thank you Father, in the name of Jesus we ask this! Amen!
Everyday JEC, put your hand on her and praise God for her and plead the blood of Christ over her. Do this over your children too.
We love you! Ally