Richard Hollerman

A short while ago I heard a man (I suppose he was a peace-keeper), saying that he witnessed the devastation of the infiltration and massacre by Islamic (Muslim) terrorists in Israel. Personally, I am not a promoter of Israel (for their leaders shamelessly killed Jesus our Savior) but this barbaric act was beyond comprehension.

At the present time, both “sides” (the Israelis and the Muslims) are at fault, of course, and massive damage has been done on both sides of this war. The person interviewed kept referring to what he found as he went from place to place and observed the carnage. He kept saying, “Evil, evil, evil,” and repeated this again and again. He was referring to the killing and wickedness.

It is one thing for a Christian or one who knows God’s Word, to say that this was wicked and “evil,” but supposedly this was a secular man who could only summarize what he found as being “evil.” We do wonder how this could ever happen. We understand that a huge number of people at Harvard University in Boston, would agree with this assessment—that Hamas is doing well—but they would say that the Palestinians were the ones in the “right” and Israel was the “evil” ones! Yes, this is true and this is right! This was their assessment and apparently (if the polls are correct) the majority of young people do think that the war (on the part of the Palestinian terrorists) were in the right.

As I said above, we realize that the Jews (or Israelis) are wrong but the Muslims (the terrorists) are also wrong. The latter, of course, are the ones who massacred the many outside of the small enclave in which the terrorists were living and “Hiding.” We are referring to Hamas, of course, and although the Israelis might crush this rebellion, it could easily be found elsewhere.

Just to the North lies Lebanon, a Muslim stronghold. At one time this was dominated by Orthodox (who called themselves “Christians”) but no more. The “Christians” have departed or been “chased out” which would leave the terrorists alone. At one time this was a tourist destination, with restaurants and sight-seeing, but no more. It is gone. And the Muslim terrorist organization called “Hezbollah” has taken over. Of course, as we have discussed, Hamas (with headquarters in the south of Israel) has taken over and is fighting this “war” at present.

As for statistics at this time (it is now Tuesday, October 10, 2023) but the number could easily increase.

From what we gather, we find that 765 Palestinians have been killed, including 140 children, and 4,000 injured. Some 900 Jews have died and 2,600 injured. About 100 civilians and soldiers have been taken as hostages. In this 140 square mile enclave, with the war between Israel and Hamas, much damage has already been done, for the Israelis have planes that help them to make incursions. (https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas).

According to what we read, the following is true:

“Israel ramps up attacks against Hamas militants. Overnight, Israel carried out a “complete siege,” cutting off power and blocking food and water from being delivered to the Gaza Strip.” [Ibid.]

We know that there may be a response from some that perhaps 6,000,000 Jews were killed in the Nazi death chambers of the second world war in Germany, Poland, and countries nearby. And this is not to be compared with that. However, we know that every soul is precious to God. Perhaps the children killed went to Paradise, but what of the others?

The summary, as found on the Internet, would be (according to one source):

Latest headlines:

Over 187,000 people internally displaced in Gaza, UN says

7 Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Palestinian authorities say

1,500 Palestinian militants found dead along Israeli-Gaza border, IDF says

Americans ‘could be among those being held hostage by Hamas,’ Kirby says

Israeli airstrikes target Gaza-Egypt border crossing

https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas)

And the latest figures are also frightening:

The death toll has been mounting on both sides since Hamas, the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, launched an unprecedented incursion into Israel over the weekend, prompting Israeli forces to retaliate.

In Israel, more than 900 people have died and 2,600 others have been injured since Saturday, according to the latest numbers from Israeli authorities.

In Gaza, at least 830 have died and another 4,250 have been wounded since Saturday, according to the latest numbers from Palestinian officials. (https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas).

Of course, these figures are bound to rise. If we had photos of the anguish, this would add to the mayhem that they and we experience. Since we (who write this) are Christians, true Christians, we are not taking sides. Apparently, these dear Israelis and Muslims, were and are lost, with Hades and then Hell as their destination, but we can sympathize with the plight that these dear people experience. Some may actually know God!

If we were to read Luke 13:1-5, we would see that Jesus refers to two different tragedies in the land of the Jews. One was perpetrated by Pilate, the Roman (and pagan) governor. This should remind us that this is not the only time that such wickedness and tragedy has happened. God knows all and He will work all of this out to His glory and honor.