(Today’s Prayer) UN forces in Lebanon under Israeli attack in south

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) claimed on the 16th (local time) that it was attacked by the Israeli army (IDF) in the southern region.

"This morning, the IDF opened fire on UNIFIL from a Merkava tank near an outpost in southern Lebanon," UNIFIL said in a statement. "The machine gun round struck the peacekeepers about five meters away as they were walking." He continued, "We requested the IDF to cease fire through communication channels, and 30 minutes later, the Merkava tanks withdrew into the IDF positions, allowing us to leave the scene safely. Fortunately, no one was injured." However, he strongly condemned the Israeli military's attack that day, saying it "violated UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and violated Lebanon's sovereignty."

The Israeli military explained, "Due to poor weather conditions, we mistook the suspects for terrorists and fired warning shots," and "there was no intention to shoot at UN peacekeepers," AFP reported.

Israel, which had been responding to Hezbollah, which supports Hamas, with airstrikes following the outbreak of the Gaza Strip war, launched a ground war in southern Lebanon in September of last year, but reached a ceasefire two months later through mediation by the United States and France.

Since then, Israel has been continuing military actions, including sporadic airstrikes, by establishing five outposts in southern Lebanon, claiming that the ceasefire conditions for Hezbollah's withdrawal from the southern Litani River and the replacement of the Lebanese government forces have not been properly observed.

Source: Yonhap News

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)

Amid reports that southern Lebanon was under attack by Israeli forces, Israel explained that poor weather conditions led to mistaken fire.

Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon last September, but after two months, a ceasefire was brokered by the United States and France. However, Israel claims Lebanon is not properly adhering to the ceasefire terms. Consequently, Israel has established five forward bases in southern Lebanon and continues sporadic airstrikes and other military actions.

Lord, we thank You for protecting both nations from harm and preventing this situation from escalating into greater conflict, even as Israel continues military actions in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire and even attacks Lebanon under the pretext of friendly fire.

But Lord, forgive Israel for acting according to their own will without consulting You. Israel is striving to protect this nation by their own strength, not trusting in You. Let the people of Israel know once more that You alone know every situation, judge it, and pass judgment. Let them trust in the Lord God who protects Israel according to Your will.

May the local churches in Israel first repent and bow down before the Lord for the government's failure to heed Your voice. May these churches become those who proclaim Your word to the nation of Israel, so that the people of Israel may rise up as a nation that keeps the word of the Lord God.

As we observe Israel defending its people by its own strength, we see the world filled with misunderstanding and condemnation toward it. Yet, may the global church first cast off its negative gaze toward Israel and see it through the eyes of Jesus.

May the Lord restore Israel, His chosen people, to fulfill its calling as a priestly nation among the nations.

May Israel no longer be preoccupied solely with defending its own people, but rise as a nation fulfilling its priestly mission to proclaim the Lord's blessing and Jesus Christ to the nations of the world!