Ceasefire?

New headlines indicate a five day ceasefire has been declared in Gaza and Israel. However, there is still activity from both sides but much less than in the past. Peace talks also are taking place in Egypt. Hamas keeps asking for the Gaza Seaport blockade by Israel to be lifted while Israel wants Gaza to be declared a Demilitarized Zone. Will a true ceasefire ever come?

Another news headline has surfaced during this past week that is very hard to comprehend. The United Nations is considering investigating whether Israel has conducted any "war crimes." Why are they not considering investigating Hamas or investigating how ISIS is treating Christians in Iraq? By the way, the Israeli Government already is investigating whether their own troops have indeed conducted any "war crimes."

Let us do a mini-investigation for ourselves of the warfare techniques used by both sides. Hamas in the last month has fired 3,530 rockets into Israel with the primary purpose of killing as many Israeli civilians as possible. I am not sure any other military unit in history has had a similar goal during a conflict! Additionally, Hamas fired their rockets from civilian neighborhoods, hospitals and schools using civilians as shields. A massive tunnel network was constructed from Gaza into Israel so that Hamas terrorists could surface and cause a massacre during a Jewish Feast Day.

Conversely, the goal of the Israeli Defense Forces during this conflict was to have the least amount of Palestinian civilian casualties as possible. Prior to an air force attack, leaflets were dropped in the area alerting the civilians to vacate the area along with warning telephone calls. A large medical tent was established along the border to treat Gaza civilians injured during the conflict. At one point during the time when there was no electricity in Gaza Israeli teams worked to restore necessary power. Even during rockets landing in Israel, trucks loaded with humanitarian aid were moving from Israel to Gaza. A Palestinian leader commented, "It is time to get rid of Hamas, the Israelis treat us better."

An Israeli soldier Oron Shaul was captured August 1st. There was jubilation in Gaza as women and children pranced and danced. At the same time, sweets and pastries were given out to all the celebrants. In Israel thousands of Israelis gathered at the Western Wall and prayed Psalm 121 and 130 for the safe return of Oron. Unfortunately, Oron did not survive. Psalm 121 says, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help. My help comes from The Lord, Who made Heaven and earth. He Who keeps you will not slumber, behold, He Who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Let us be those who pray similar prayers for Israel during these challenging times.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank