Hamas: Next War With Israel Will Be Regional Conflict

By Chris Schang

In another sign that the Middle East region could very well be on the cusp of a wide ranging conflict, the Haaretz news agency is reporting that Hamas has declared that the next break out of hostilities in the region will be a regional conflict involving more players than just the Hamas and Israel. The Haaretz news article reported:

Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal warned on Friday that should another war erupt with Israel, the majority of battles would not be contained to the Gaza Strip as they were during the conflict last winter.

Meshal told the London-based Al-Hayyat that Hamas was not interested in seeing another war, but would embark on steadfast defense of the Palestinian people should one begin.

Further:

Speaking during a visit to Russia, Meshal accused Israel of making threats of war in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. He said the quickening tide of military threats was the result of Israel's leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak - the latter to whom he referred as "the most extremist."

As we can see from these comments and from the news reports, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now threatening to involve Israel and her surrounding enemies in the next conflict. With the recent sharp verbal exchanges between Israel and Syria, the chances that these threats of a wide ranging conflict being able to materialize is greatly increased. With the build up of arms between Hamas and Hezbollah on the borders of Israel, coupled with the support and recent defense pacts made between the terrorists and regional players Syria and Iran, we can easily see the next conflict expanding into "unknown waters" as the region continues to slowly but surely spiral out of control.

Israel continues to face serious threats from terrorists despite very few rockets being fired into Israel over the last few months. We've seen several news articles relating to failed terrorist attempts to kidnap more IDF soldiers as well as other failed attempts to strike Israel such as the recent "barrel bombs" floating offshore of Israel. It is my opinion that one day one of these attempts to strike Israel is going to become the catalyst that lights the fuse in the Middle East and starts the next regional conflict. It just seems to be a matter of time now.

The Haaretz news article also mentioned that Hamas leader Meshal was speaking from Russia where he is visiting Russia leaders. This trip to Russia has angered Israeli officials and I don't blame them. Russia really should not be associating with a known terrorist group that is at the same time behind attacks on Israel. To me this is akin to Israel meeting with Chechnya rebels and talking about Russia. If Israel had done that Russia would be extremely angry and demand that Israel cease meeting with them. So, why does Russia meet with terrorist organizations like Hamas? In my opinion, the answer lies in the fact that Russia will eventually be drawn down into the Middle East in what is known as the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39. Russia, like Iran, seeks to win power and influence in the region without having to do any dirty work. Hence the coordination and involvement with the proxy terrorist organizations.

Looking through the lens of Bible prophecy and the possibility that a fulfillment of Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 in the next regional conflict could serve as the catalyst that forces the major players in the region to unite and move on Israel seems to be more likely with each passing day. The Bible describes "hooks in the jaws" being applied to Gog/Magog that leads them down to the mountains of Israel where they meet their fatal destiny with their Moslem allies.

I don't believe it is any coincidence that Hamas and other terrorist groups meet with the Russians. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The Russians simply can't be trusted. The Word of the Lord reminds us of this and His Word is always true. Let us keep watching the movements of the players in the Middle East. The tension in the region is very thick, you could almost cut it with a knife. Sooner or later, something will eventually give way to prophecy being fulfilled. And with prophecy moving towards fulfillment, we should remember the words of the Lord to "look up, for our redemption is drawing nigh!"

God bless.

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