[Today’s Prayer] Israeli forces begin ground war in southern Lebanon… first in 18 years since 2006
The Israeli army deployed troops to the southern border area of Lebanon early on the 1st and began a ground war with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Although the expression "limited and localized raids" was used, it is being interpreted as a signal that the invasion of southern Lebanon has begun. This is the first time in 18 years since 2006 that Israel has engaged in a ground war with Hezbollah. As Israel has entered into a ground war with Hezbollah despite the dissuasion of the international community, including the United States, the crisis of a full-scale war in the Middle East has reached its peak.
Their “targets” are believed to include tunnels, underground weapons depots, and missile launchers used by Hezbollah to infiltrate Israel. The Israeli military explained that “the attack targets are located in villages near the border and pose an immediate threat to villages in northern Israel,” and that “the air force and artillery are supporting ground operations by striking military targets in southern Lebanon.”
The Israeli military declared Operation “Arrow of the North” on the 23rd and has been bombing various parts of Lebanon. It then launched a decapitation operation against Hezbollah’s leadership, killing Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, on the 27th. The Israeli military stated, “Existing operations will continue depending on the situation and will be conducted in parallel with fighting on other fronts, such as the Gaza Strip.” This is interpreted to mean that they will simultaneously continue a three-front war against the “axis of resistance,” including the Gaza Strip militant group Hamas and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been attacking Israel with support from Iran.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that the Israeli cabinet held an emergency meeting the night before and approved the “next phase” of military operations against Hezbollah. Following this, the Israeli military’s Northern Command announced that “the areas adjacent to the Lebanese border, including Metullah, Misgav’am, and Kfar Giladi, are being declared military-restricted zones,” and began blocking civilians from entering and moving around these areas. At the same time, Reuters reported that the Lebanese government forces withdrew their troops at least 5 kilometers behind several points along the Israeli border. This is because they received “attack notifications” from Israel.
The Israeli military announced the start of the ground war by shelling southern Lebanon across the border. Dozens of fires were seen along the border, sparked by Israeli artillery fire. Arab media, including Al Jazeera, also reported that “Israeli tanks entered several villages.” The Israeli military is also intensifying airstrikes near the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Times of Israel reported that “there were several reports of loud explosions near Beirut after an Arabic warning was issued to residents of three villages south of Beirut to ‘evacuate for possible attacks targeting Hezbollah.’”
The United States has already supported Israel’s ground war. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said, “We agreed on the need to dismantle the offensive infrastructure along the border so that Hezbollah cannot launch attacks like the one they did on October 7 last year against northern Israel.” However, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that day, “We must have a ceasefire now.” This is interpreted as reiterating his opposition to the escalation of the war through an all-out war with Hezbollah.
However, there are mixed views on whether Israel has launched a full-scale invasion. The Times of Israel reported that “the Israeli military has not yet commented on whether a full-scale ground operation has begun,” and that fighting is still taking place near the border. Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the Israeli military, said on social media, “Please stop spreading irresponsible rumors about our military’s activities and focus only on official reports.”
Source: News
I will make you desolate forever; your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord. “‘Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them,” even though I the Lord was there, therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. (Ezekiel 35:9-11)
Lord, we hear that ground warfare has begun in Lebanon after 18 years. We are praying for a quick end to this war, but the situation seems to be dragging into darkness.
Please teach us what our prayers should be at this time. With nation rising up against nation and famine everywhere, it seems like the end times are near.
In these times of nation rising up against nation, we pray that You will rule all the earth by Your Word. All the nations belong to you; they are your inheritance!
Purify the spirit of war, death, and all the anger that fills the land! Restore to them the fear of the LORD, that they may repent and turn to Him, before the time of His judgment comes; that they may know that it is God who is ruler and sovereign over all the earth!
We confess that You know all too well how this war will play out, and that You are the One who is quickly bringing the time of salvation for all nations. Let us be a global church that seeks Your will and prays to be guided by it, so that no one will turn away from this war and pray with mournful hearts. Let us be a global church of Christians who will not turn away from Your work, but will work together, so that our prayers and spiritual alliances will be instruments of life for the dying souls of Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon!
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