16 May 2024

This week, Israel marked a somber Independence Day and Memorial Day.

The commemorations were subdued by the toll of the ongoing war in Gaza, and growing frustration with the government’s handling of the war with Hamas in Gaza. 

There is disagreement within the government about “the day after.” This week, in a televised address, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he must take “tough decisions” to advance non-Hamas governance of Gaza, whatever the personal or political cost, because the gains of the war are being eroded and Israel’s long-term security is at stake.

Gallant warned that he will not consent to Israeli civil or military governance of Gaza, and that governance by non-Hamas Palestinian entities, accompanied by international actors, is in Israel’s interest. Netanyahu, he said, must publicly rule out the notion of ongoing Israeli military or civil rule in the Strip.

The public comments sparked an angry backlash among members of the coalition, who urged Netanyahu to fire the defense minister.

Netanyahu himself quickly responded that he was “not prepared to switch from Hamastan to Fatahstan,” referencing the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu said that he is seeking to establish a rule “by Gazans who are not committed to our destruction, possibly with the aid of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other countries that I think want to see stability and peace.

Much depends on whether Israel is able to persuade other countries in the region to assist in the rebuilding of Gaza. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will visit Saudi Arabia and Israel at the end of the week. Sullivan will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss US efforts to broker a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

A deal normalizing ties between Jerusalem and Riyadh would likely be underpinned by US defense guarantees for Saudi Arabia but will also require Israel agreeing to establish a pathway to a future Palestinian state. 

On Friday 10th May, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that the Security Council accept Palestine as a UN member state.

Let us pray for the governments of Israel and the USA, and for the discussions and negotiations with other countries in the region. 
 

Netanyahu slams Gallant demand for Palestinian control of post-war Gaza 
JNS: "I am not willing to exchange Hamastan for Fatahstan," Netanyahu said in a video statement responding to his defense minister.

Top Biden aide Sullivan to visit Israel for talks on Saudi ties, Rafah 
Times of Israel: Jerusalem has assured Washington that it won’t further expand operations in Gaza’s southernmost city before national security adviser arrives over the weekend.

Israel at War (3): Prophecy Fulfilled— Psalm 83
Kameel Majdali at C4I: Israel is at war. This current conflict is giving sleepless nights to foreign secretaries, military officials, defence contractors and economists. To this, we add another group: Bible prophecy teachers. They are eagerly observing these events to get insight into the future.