Current Events & Trends: The Israeli-Hamas fight continues

Sep 4, 2014
2 minutes read time

The latest war between Israel and Gaza proved to be one of the most violent and polarizing yet.

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Almost 2,000 people died after Hamas terrorists murdered three Israeli teens and began launching thousands of rockets at Israeli cities and towns. Israel responded with an intense campaign to destroy rockets, launch sites and tunnels throughout Gaza.

Hamas regularly sets up its rocket launchers in heavily populated areas, which led to devastating civilian casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on the TV program Fox News Sunday, "We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles" (July 13, 2014). Hamas even ordered Palestinian civilians back to their homes after Israeli warnings to evacuate prior to bombings—on threat of punishment for collaborating with Israel.

The severe Israeli response didn't stifle Hamas' aggression. The Economist reported that "despite being besieged and the rising death toll, Hamas and fellow Islamists show no sign of changing course. They continue to launch . . . rockets at Israel every day, targeting towns and cities from south to north" ("Israel and Gaza: The Bloodshed Continues," July 21, 2014).  

Six truces quickly broke down. Both Israeli and Gazan citizens adjusted to living in constant fear of sudden violence from above. Despite best intentions and efforts, peace will continue to be elusive. In fact, Bible prophecy reveals that human-established peace in the Middle East is impossible.

There is only one solution to the bloodshed and hatred in the Middle East, and it is not in politics or military might. It is in the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings. His rule will bring about peace by removing the human governments that simply cannot find peace of their own accord (Revelation 11:15). As we pray for that Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10), we should realize that peace and a cessation of suffering will be products of God's Kingdom and not mere human efforts. (Sources: The Economist, Financial Times.)

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Peter Eddington

Peter serves at the home office as Interim Manager of Media and Communications Services.

He studied production engineering at the Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and is a journeyman machinist. He moved to the United States to attend Ambassador College in 1980. He graduated from the Pasadena campus in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and married his college sweetheart, Terri. Peter was ordained an elder in 1992. He served as assistant pastor in the Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, California, congregations from 1995 through 1998 and the Cincinnati, Ohio, congregations from 2010 through 2011.
 

Rudolph Rangel III

Rudy Rangel attends the Cincinnati East, Ohio congregation along with his wife Judy and two children. 

Darris McNeely

Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.