A German reporter, Jürgen Todenhӧfer, went on a dangerous mission in ISIS territory in 2015, spending 10 days interacting with the militants in Iraq and Syria. Sounds crazy!
They told him that in spite of the military capabilities of Western powers, ISIS was not afraid of them. Indeed, they even harbour the thought that they will conquer Europe one day and make it part of their so-called caliphate.
“The only country ISIS fears is Israel. They told me they know the Israeli army is too strong for them.” the journalist reported.
Those Todenhӧfer interviewed admitted that Israeli forces are experts in guerrilla warfare and cannot be taken on without a proper strategy; and this is what they are afraid of.
The militants are confident that they can defeat troops from other parts of the world, but not Israeli troops, who have been fighting desert terrorists since Abraham was called to possess the land of Canaan.
Israel-Arab Conflict
The rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948 was a shocking experience to the Arab world. A nation they had thought had been forgotten in history was not only miraculously reborn but became a formidable entity that has defied every attempt by its Arab neighbours to wipe it out.
The declaration of Israel as a nation by the United Nations in 1948 followed the end of the British mandate for the land of Palestine. However, the Arab nations around Israel could not put up with the thought of a Jewish state coming into existence again, and they resolved to put an end to the Israel project.
Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, with assistance from other Arab countries, mobilised their troops and marched into Israel, intent on retaking the land from the Jews. This marked the beginning of the modern day Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel won this battle but lost parts of its land to Syria and Jordan.
Tension rose again in 1956, with Israel drawing the first blood by launching an offensive in the Sinai Peninsula against Egypt, following the latter’s nationalization of the Suez Canal, consequently blocking Israel’s access to the Gulf of Aqaba and the Indian Ocean. Israel’s main target in the war was achieved but casualties were recorded on both sides.
The Six-day War
IN 1967, another war broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbours, which lasted only six days. Israel launched a surprise attack in the air and recorded a swift victory over the coalition of troops from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria and Jordan. By the time the war was over, Israel had taken full control of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights in Syria, and held the Gaza Strip, the Sinai and the Suez Canal, although it later relinquished the last three.
The humiliation by Israel in the Six-day war did not go down well with the Arab nations. In 1973, led by Egypt, the coalition again launched an attack against Israel ostensibly to recapture the lands taken by Israel during the Six-day war.
And they chose Israel’s vulnerable moment – when God’s people, including their soldiers were celebrating Yom Kippur, Israel’s holiest day. Israel was caught flat-footed but the apple of God’s eye swiftly mobilized and held her position and once again defeated the Arab coalition, forcing Egypt and later Jordan to seek reconciliation with her.
In between these major wars were intermittent uprisings by Palestinians, which Israel effectively contained, just as it still does with the sporadic outbreak of violence in Gaza and West Bank towns in the Intifadas, and the occasional attacks by Hamas militants from Gaza.
Given Israel’s size in terms of geography, population and even military power in relation to its Arab neighbours, it only makes sense to conclude that the continued existence of the Jewish nation from its rebirth in 1948 can only be divine. Israel is kept by the power of the Almighty God.
What the enemies of Israel do not understand is that the re-gathering of the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from across the world back to their land is a fulfillment of God’s word, just as God vowed to Abraham promising him the land of Canaan.
“Thus says the Lord God: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land” (Ezekiel 37: 21).
Therefore, beyond the mastery of desert warfare by Israeli troops, there is a divine shield around this nation that many in the world cannot perceive. “Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121: 4).
But does this mean Israel will remain invincible? Prophecy tells us otherwise. Indeed, there is coming another conflict in which the Jewish nation will face total annihilation; when, not only the Arab nations but many nations on earth will march against Israel to destroy it. That is when the Lord will go to battle and reveal himself as the Lion of Judah.
That day is coming and is a subject for another time. For now, suffice it to say that the nation of Israel is back to its birthplace, never to be destroyed again until the Lord’s return.