What will become of Gaza

What will become of Gaza following Israel’s victory over Hamas? That is the big question that arises.

For Israel, only the total destruction of Hamas as a military, political, and religious power is acceptable. Since Israel’s civilian population has repeatedly suffered rocket fire from Gaza, the Israeli army has already carried out various military operations. Even though Hamas was severely damaged each time, the terrorist organization always recovered relatively quickly, due to help from Iran and other sympathizers. However, what Hamas has done this time is so outrageous, so atrocious, that Israel concluded: Now Hamas must be completely annihilated, no matter the cost.

It is not easy to eliminate Hamas fighters, because they hide themselves among the civilian population: in hospitals, schools, and other civilian facilities. The approximately 500 kilometer (310 mile) long underground tunnel system—which is like an underground city—has to be destroyed. Achieving that is difficult and time consuming. It also must be remembered that Israeli hostages are still being held captive by Hamas. Thank God that during the week-long ceasefire, at least a majority of the women and children were released through a prisoner exchange.

For Israel, it is clear that after the war, Hamas can no longer have any presence in the Gaza Strip. But who will govern in its place? That is a big question, to which there is no real answer for the time being. However, one thing is certain: An Israeli military presence there will have to last for quite a while, to ensure that conditions like those under Hamas will not return. Yet, hard as it is to believe, there are still those who somehow sympathize with Hamas. After everything it has done to Israeli villages bordering the Gaza Strip, one has to say that Hamas is just like ISIS, which had nothing but violence and bestial murder for everyone that stood in its way. It is to be hoped that Hamas will find the same final international condemnation and rejection that ISIS did.

We should also keep in mind that additionally, Israel is being threatened in the north, with rockets coming from Lebanon. All Israeli towns within a distance of 4 km (2.5 mi.) from the Lebanese border had to be evacuated. Local residents were temporarily put up in hotels. This is another problem that needs to be solved—either through international mediation, or by another war.

In all of this that is yet to come, the United States—which has supported Israel in its war against Hamas in an almost unbelievable way—will have an important and decisive say. Even if restoring Israel’s security and relative peace can be accomplished, concern and fear of a much larger attack remains, since Iran has not given up on its plan to wipe out the State of Israel. For instance, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, has said that the attack was merely the prelude to something much bigger.

From Ezekiel chapter 38, we know that Israel is indeed facing something far more powerful: Gog’s attack from the land of Magog. There have been moments during the present war when there was real danger of a second serious front emerging from Lebanon. God was once again merciful, but Israel must live with the reality of this threat. Current events show that the USA will again be supportive if a further war materializes. But when the situation of Ezekiel arises, the Lord God Himself will intervene to glorify His great name throughout the whole world.

News From Israel - 01/2024