Israel took action against Hamas after about 300 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel in the ten days from 19^th December 2008 (on top of around 8000 rockets fired from 2001 to 2008). Hamas was using more sophisticated rockets capable of reaching Ashdod and Beersheba putting about one million Israeli civilians in danger. Any country facing such a threat would be expected to take action. During his visit to Israel in July 2008, Barack Obama defended Israel’s right to protect itself from such attacks: ‘If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I would do everything to stop that, and would expect Israel to do the same thing.’

Nevertheless Israel’s action provoked widespread condemnation and stirred up anti Semitism in many parts of the world. Attacks on Jewish people and property were reported all over Europe. The news media focussed on the suffering of the people of Gaza and the destruction caused by the conflict lambasting Israel for killing women and children.

There is another side to the story, which needs stating. Israel issued warnings to civilians of coming attacks not just by dropping leaflets, but even by phoning people in Gaza. The Israeli military estimates that between 1100 to 1200 people were killed during the offensive around 700 of whom are believed to be Hamas operatives. Throughout the conflict and afterwards Israel allowed convoys of humanitarian aid in for the people of Gaza.

By contrast Hamas made no distinction between soldiers and civilians deliberately targeting Israeli towns surrounding Gaza. They also kept missiles and weapons in highly populated areas of Gaza and therefore have a heavy responsibility for civilian casualties which resulted. They used children as scouts to follow Israeli movements, and as couriers to supply ammunition and deliver information to the Hamas fighters. During the conflict dozens of members of Fatah, the rival Palestinian movement, were killed by Hamas. This was reported in the West Bank and created a backlash of hostility against Hamas. The popular Palestinian singer, Jamal Najar, condemned Hamas as ‘gangs of anarchic security forces,’ describing how Hamas murdered his cousin right in front of his children for simply stepping outside his house.

Hamas’ performance in the battle was not very impressive. The Iranians had previously given them training and made plans for what to do if Israel invaded, but these failed completely as Hamas quickly abandoned territory. An Arabic newspaper ‘Elaph’ had an article by Abd al-Fattah Shehadeh (9/1/09), who wrote: ‘Hamas is hiding behind the civilian population instead of defending it, as it had promised. Hamas dug bunkers and tunnels, instead of building shelters for the residents of Gaza. They turned houses and mosques into battlegrounds so that the people would protect them and those who trusted them now regret it.’

The Hamas ideology calls for the elimination of not only Israel but also Jewish people. The Palestinian Media Watch has put together a collection of statements from Hamas leaders and imams which go way beyond seeking the elimination of Israel. They call for genocide of the Jewish people claiming that the Quran condemns Jews to extermination, that the Jews face another Holocaust and that the extermination of the Jews will be good for humanity. Nizar Rayan, Hamas religious and military leader, said on Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Jan. 1, 2009. ‘Regarding the Jews, our business with them is only through bombs and guns... the prophet Muhammad promised that we will fight you, with Allahs help, until the tree and stone say: ‘Oh Muslim, servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.’

Knowing the hatred with which Hamas has indoctrinated its people, it is not surprising that many Israeli soldiers were praying in tent synagogues and seeking God for protection as they went into action. Dena Gewanter wrote an article ‘Miracles are happening in Israel’ in which she lists some remarkable answers to prayer: ‘A Hamas map was found, with booby-traps, landmines and sniper positions clearly spelled out. The IDF was able to counter each installation due to the information given. A large platoon of soldiers not realizing they were resting in a school that was booby-trapped, (discovered by a soldier relieving himself in the night), disarmed the bombs with no one hurt. A single soldier successfully fought off several Hamas terrorists trying to drag him into a tunnel, and all were captured. Hundreds of tunnels were hidden in homes under beds and kitchen cabinets, all full of live explosives and ammunition. Yet none have exploded with IDF soldiers inside. While there have been soldiers wounded, there are miracles there as well. A young man who moved to Israel from England less than 2 years ago to serve in the army was in an explosion, and thrown into the air. He was carried off to hospital, where the doctors were utterly stunned when they saw that a piece of shrapnel had gone through his neck and missed the carotid artery, the jugular vein and the spinal cord by millimetres. After they removed it, he needed only stitches. Another soldier was shot through the back but the bullet missed his spinal cord and exited from the front. A young newlywed, in grave condition, inexplicably turned for the better and will recover to go home to his wife. On the ground level, bombs continue to fall, but here again, miracle after miracle is reported even on the local news. One hears the word nes (miracle) over and over by the reporters and the bystanders. A bomb heading toward 4 apartment buildings goes into a sewer pipe and explodes underground, damaging nothing above ground. An elderly woman caught in an apartment completely demolished by a bomb, walks out with scratches on her ankle. The mayor of Beersheba felt he should cancel school one day, and a rocket completely destroys an empty kindergarten. The housing complex for the elderly that was hit in Nahariya had the sleeping quarters destroyed, but everyone had just gone to breakfast, so no one was injured.’

Despite all the hostility that is ranged against her Israel lives today. The conflict is far from over with missiles continuing to come into Gaza via Egypt from Iran. The hatred remains and Israel’s new government will face great challenges in the days to come. All of these events herald the return of the Messiah to the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem from where He will take up His rule over the nations of the world in the Messianic kingdom age (Zechariah 12-14, Matthew 24, Acts 1.11, Revelation 16-20). Until that time we are to continue to pray for Israel that they may be saved (Romans 10.1).

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