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[Today’s Prayer] “Time for decision” Israeli military hints at direct strike on Lebanon... Growing concerns about ‘escalation of war’ in the Middle East

There are concerns about an escalation of war as the Israeli military hints at the possibility of striking mainland Lebanon, where the pro-Iran armed political group Hezbollah is active.


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, on the 5th (local time) and said, “We are preparing a very strong operation in the north. “One way or another, we will restore security in the north,” he said.


(Omitted)


Foreign media analyzed Israel's mention of the possibility of striking the mainland as a result of the conflict between Hezbollah, which has intensified in recent weeks. The day after the war in Gaza broke out on October 7 last year, Hezbollah immediately declared solidarity with Hamas and attacked Israel's northern border area several times, but the relations at the moment are now at their worst.


Recently, the level of mutual hostility has increased, with Israel attacking parts of southern Lebanon with fighter jets and Hezbollah increasing drone and rocket attacks to hit important Israeli military facilities. The previous day, on the 3rd, a large forest fire broke out in northern Israel due to Hezbollah's attack. Reuters said that the hostile relationship between Israel and Hezbollah is the worst since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War.


There is also the influence of far-right figures within the Israeli coalition government calling for military action. According to Reuters, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gbir said in a video statement after visiting the northern city of Kiriat Shimona, “Lebanon cannot be at peace while our territory is under attack and our people are fleeing.. we must burn and destroy all fortifications of Hezbollah. This is war.”


(Omitted)


Hezbollah does not seem to back down. Hezbollah's second-in-command, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said in an interview with Al Jazeera that although he does not want to escalate the war, he has no intention of stopping the attacks until the war in the Gaza Strip stops. “If Israel wants an all-out war, we are ready,” he said. This is no different from our original position that we will be stopping attacks on Israel only after the Israeli military stops attacking Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.


The West expressed concern over the possibility that the war in Gaza could expand into a large-scale regional war involving other countries in the Middle East. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “We do not support an all-out war with Hezbollah,” and added, “I heard Israel prefers a diplomatic solution.” “This is the solution we also prefer and pursue.” The European Union (EU) said in a statement, “It is in no one’s interest for the conflict to escalate in the region,” and added, “Alleviating the current worsening situation (between the two countries) will be of great help in preventing an escalation of war in the Middle East.”


Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun


And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

We hear that there are concerns about an escalation of war as the Israeli military hints at the possibility of striking mainland Lebanon, where the pro-Iran armed political faction Hezbollah is active.


We look forward to the end of the war, but that day is not in sight, and instead, we are looking at this situation where we have to worry about an escalation of the war and we are in sorrow for the countless souls who are being sacrificed endlessly.


God, who suffers more than anyone else, please protect them and prevent all situations where war is at risk. May your protection and power bring peace to them.


All things belong to God and we belong to the Lord. Please help them to makes decisions not according to their will and thereby be led into division and death, but help these nations to be the people that observe the commands and decrees of the Lord.


May they come to realize God’s true love. Through the love of God, may they come to realize who their true savior is, and may they guard their hearts to live according to the Word of the Lord.


All suffering and death be cut off, and let the resurrection power of God come upon Israel, Palestine and Lebanon!

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