Here is his "boots-on-the-ground" report regarding the recent attacks in Israel, along with important prayer points for us all to join in.
Saints, let's be fervently praying for God's beloved, Israel.
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Lest the Sons of the Philistines Rejoice
The surprise attack on the morning of October 7 by Islamist terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad has brought forth demonic fruit – the slaughter of at least 250 Israelis, the wounding of over a thousand Jewish people, and the kidnapping to Gazan underground tunnels and prisons of hundreds more citizens of the Jewish state. Bestial mobs in Gaza crowed with joy. Golden-ager Jewish women were shot at point blank range by jihadi terror squads, as were their daughters and grandchildren. Bodies of young women and soldiers were dragged across public squares and stomped on by mobs screaming out, "Allahu akbar!" – "Allah is greater!" Candies and sweet pastries were distributed to the Gazan bystanders in celebration of this 'uncircumcised victory.'
What has happened here? What is about to happen? How did these events catch the Israel Defense Forces seemingly by surprise? How can we pray into these matters?
"They Make Shrewd Plans Against Your People"
On Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2, 2023, two fateful meetings were held in Beirut. At the first meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah to discuss the upcoming October attacks on Israel. On the next day, they were joined by Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah to work on "the importance of coordination between the resistance movements, especially in Palestine and Lebanon, on all political, security and military developments."
The date chosen was fifty years plus one day after the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, which happened on October 6, 1973. The symbolism here is also reflected in the attacks on the US diplomatic compound and CIA annex in Libya on September 11, 2012, the anniversary of al Qaeda's World Trade Center jihadi terror attack of September 11, 2001. In the Egyptian narrative, the Yom Kippur War is seen as an Arab victory against the Jewish state.
How Did the Incursion Happen?
Hamas unleashed a barrage of rockets aimed at civilian targets at 6:30 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Kibbutzim, moshavim, towns, cities and military posts were attacked. Simultaneously, parachuting terrorists on ultralight, single-place powered vehicles glided onto Israeli territory next to kibbutzim (communal farms). Zodiac rubber boats crossed the short distance between Gaza and Israel, unloading heavily armed jihadis. Hamas engineers cut through the border fences, allowing at least ten pickup trucks armed with sub-machine gun and RPG-toting terrorists to break through and head to at least 21 different locations. Their goals: to murder Israeli men, women and children; to take hostages and spirit the captives back to Gaza, or, in worse case scenarios, to engage in negotiations with the IDF for the release of Hamas terrorists jailed in Israel; to strike terror into the hearts of Israelis; and most probably to feint with a strategic diversion, drawing down IDF forces from the Lebanese border so that Hezbollah would have greater freedom of movement in attacking Israel.
All of these goals were successful.
Approximately 21 kibbutzim, moshavim, towns and cities were assaulted by Hamas terrorists. It took the IDF many hours to arrive, organize and counterattack. Though in the end they have achieved some mastery of the areas involved, many civilians were murdered or kidnapped to Gaza in the meantime.
Over 250 Israelis have been murdered by the jihadis and over 1,100 have been wounded, many severely. Hundreds are presumed kidnapped. Hamas is presently firing rockets into civilian areas in the greater Tel Aviv area, and they are firing those rockets from civilian neighborhoods in Gaza. This is a double war crime.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The IDF's immediate military goals are twofold: to destroy any and all Hamas/Islamic Jihad rocket fire through the Israeli Iron Dome mobile air-defense system, and to wipe out any Hamas terror squads that are still operating freely in Israel. One example is at Kibbutz Be'eri, adjoining the Gaza Strip, where approximately 50 kibbutz members are being held hostage in the communal dining hall. A general call-up of reserves has been taking place this afternoon; and normal Israelis, in all walks of life (including many Messianic Jews), have headed out to the front lines, preparing for a land incursion into the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip is honeycombed with terror tunnels – far more than those faced by US forces in Vietnam. Hamas has hidden kidnap victims in these tunnels, which are heavily mined. Hamas' high command HQ is situated under Shifa Hospital, raising ethical dilemmas for Israel's warrior strategists. In order to 'crush the head of the serpent,' the battle must be prosecuted on land and underground as well. Hamas has spent much time preparing for these clashes, and will attempt to exact a high price in dead, wounded and kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
Hezbollah on the Move
Israel's doyen of military commentators, Ehud Yaari, has reported today that Hezbollah forces in Lebanon have raised their level of military preparedness to standby for their long-stated goal of invading Israel and unleashing their arsenal of 150,000 GPS-guided rockets. The UN UNIFIL observer forces have been moving into their comfortable military bases to get out of the way, as was once done in Sinai, prior to the Six-Day War, on May 19, 1967. Time will soon tell, but it is highly likely that Hezbollah will enter the theater of combat in the very short future.
Israel has clearly warned Lebanon over the past decade that Hezbollah's use of its rocket arsenal would force Israel "to return Lebanon back to the Stone Age... We will not hesitate to use all our power," said Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
If this long-discussed battle breaks out – with Lebanon attacking Israel through tunnels, hang gliders, commando incursions and rockets – the Middle East may be facing one of the most intense periods of war that it has ever seen.
How Should We Then Pray?
• Pray for the defeat and destruction of Islamist terrorist invaders.
• Pray for the physical rescue of Israelis under siege, those who are kidnapped, and those who are wounded.
• Pray for divine wisdom and decisive strategy to be given to Israel's leaders in every area.
• Pray that Lebanon's leaders will be able to restrain Hezbollah from making moves which are suicidal to that country.
• Pray for the raising up of Ezekiel's prophetic Jewish army throughout the earth.
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Avner Boskey
Final Frontier Ministries
Email: click here
Website:
www.davidstent.org
Avner and Rachel Boskey live in the Beer Sheva region of Israel and are dedicated to stirring up the creative arts, worship, intercession, evangelism and the prophetic gifts within a Jewish and Israeli matrix. They oversee Final Frontier Ministries (with USA administrative offices in Nashville, TN). Avner and Rachel have been involved for many years, both in Israel and in many nations, in evangelism and Bible teaching; writing articles and books; creating original music and pastoral ministry; and leading worship and prayer gatherings. Over the last two decades, Avner and Rachel have raised their family in the Negev. During these years, they established weekly worship and prayer meetings for local Believers and for thousands of visitors from many nations. They have written and recorded much original Messianic worship music. They oversee a loose-knit community of worshipers, intercessors and prophetic artists in the Negev. They also oversee a recording studio where they both record their own music and help young Messianic Israeli artists develop and record their own music. Avner is the author of the books "Israel the Key to World Revival," "A Perspective on Islam," and "A Messianic Perspective on the Restoration of David's Tabernacle." Avner and Rachel have released five CDs: "Old & New," "Ancient Gates," "LaKatzir – For the Harvest," "Four Winds," and "Dry Bones Boogie."
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This is such an important article from our long-time friend, Avner Boskey, who lives in Israel. He was our first-ever guide in Israel in the year 2000. 
