Nasrallah says Israel ‘will cease to exist’ if war erupts, as rhetoric escalates

August 16, 2023 — The Times of Israel reports: “Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Monday continued his terror organization’s war of words with Israel, warning that if conflict erupts, the Jewish state ‘will cease to exist.’

In a televised speech marking 17 years since the end of the Second Lebanon War, the head of the Iran-backed Shiite terror group claimed that Israel’s military has gradually ‘weakened’ since the ‘defeat’ it allegedly suffered in 2006.

‘After 17 years of attempts, preparation, and development, the Israelis have been unable to restore the image of the Israeli army,’ he said, according to the Al-Mayadeen news outlet.

‘The Israeli army today is in its worst shape in history,’ he added, referring to warnings by top IDF officers that military readiness has been hurt by reservist protests against the government’s judicial overhaul…”  (Israel will never be destroyed.  God has declared His love for Israel from its very beginning: And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.  None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.  And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live… Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil – Ezekiel 16:4 – 6; 9.  Deuteronomy 7:6-8 states: For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:  But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  Despite the rantings and ravings of the world: …let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance – Psalm 83:4, God has promised: …I will give them [Israel] an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off – Isaiah 56:5.)

Nasrallah threatens to return Israel to ‘stone age’

August 14, 2023 — Israel National News reports: “Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, again threatened Israel this evening (Monday) and vowed to send the Jewish State to the ‘stone age’ in the event of a war.

During his speech, Nasrallah called Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ‘the enemy’s minister of war’ and threatened: ‘You can return Lebanon to the stone age. This is nothing new. The question is what Hezbollah can do. We tell the Israeli leaders, if you reach a state of war, you will be returned to the stone age.’

‘If a war breaks out, all civilian and military airports, air force bases, power generation stations and water infrastructures, communication infrastructures, the refineries, and the reactor in Dimona will be targeted. We have enough accurate missiles to hit all these targets,’ the terror leader boasted…”  (Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. – Psalm 2:1-12.  See the next report.)

Iran threatens Israel: ‘Prepare for a trip to the Stone Age’

August 23, 2023 — Israel National News reports: “Iran again threatened to destroy the State of Israel during the unveiling of a new drone with a flight range of up to 2,000 kilometers and the ability to fly at an altitude of 7,000 meters.

The Ministry of Defense in Tehran explained that the drone is able to go on sorties of up to 24 hours straight and carry a load weighing up to 300 kg. In addition, it was said that it carries electronic surveillance equipment and a camera.

In a video circulated in the Iranian media, the drone is seen next to a threatening inscription in Hebrew and Persian: ‘Prepare the shelters.’

The Telegram channel which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, published an edited photo of the Iranian drone over the city of Dimona with a caption in Hebrew: ‘Prepare for a trip to the Stone Age.’…”

Jerusalem Shiekh: There is no proof the Temples ever existed

August 4, 2023 — Israel National News reports: “Sheikh Ikhrama Sabri, the head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, attacked what he called the intentions of ‘extremist settlers’ to slaughter and burn the ashes of the ‘Red Heifer’ on the Temple Mount.

Under Jewish law (halakha), the only way to remove the ritual impurity that comes from contact with or being in proximity to the dead such as by entering a cemetery is through a ritual that includes sprinkling the ashes of a completely red heifer on the person with the impurity…

Sabri claimed that there has been no archaeological evidence showing that any Jewish Temples stood on the Temple Mount. ‘Therefore, they invented the story about the five cows that were imported from the US, and this shows the failure that befell the Zionist movement and the occupation after they did not find a single stone during the excavations and drilling that would prove that they had anything to do with the so-called Temple of Solomon or any proof that it had anything to do with Hebrew history.’

Despite Sabri’s claim, there is abundant historical and archaeological evidence proving the existence of the First and Second Temples, including an ancient stone inscription warning non-Jews not to enter the Holy Temple…”  (In Genesis 22:1-14 God commanded Abraham to bring his son Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice there.  As he was about to complete the sacrifice, God stopped him and provided a ram as a substitutionary sacrifice.  In I Chronicles 21:18 – 26, King David purchased this mount so he could build an altar to offer a sacrifice when he confessed his sin.  This was the location where the angel of the Lord was commanded to stop the destruction of Jerusalem [I Chronicles 21:15].  In II Chronicles 3:1, King Solomon built the First Temple on Mount Moriah, this was started in 966 BC.  This Temple stood until 586 BC when it was destroyed by the Babylonians.  The Second Temple was built in 516 BC and enlarged by Herod the Great in 12 BC.  It stood until it was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.) 

Predicted scenario: 6,000 rockets at Israel during first days of war with Hezbollah

August 7, 2023 — Israel National News reports: “In the shadow of Israel’s internal dispute surrounding the government’s judicial reform plan, unusual cross-border incidents between Israel and Hezbollah in recent weeks and months show a noticeable rise in the probability of a war on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israel Hayom reported that security officials predict that if such a war were to break out, it would not be limited to one front but rather be a multi-front campaign. It is not unforeseen that Gaza would also join the fray, forcing Israel to contend with terrorism in Judea and Samaria, violence and roadblocks in Israel, and additional threats as well.

According to the report, the situation that Israel’s civilian sector is preparing for is considered the worst-case battle scenario by security officials.

In such a scenario, over the course of one day of battle, Israel would have to contend with thousands of rockets fired, and within the first few days, about 6,000 rockets would be launched at the Jewish state. As time progresses, the number would decline to about only 1,500 to 2,000 rockets a day…”  (They may threaten Israel, but Psalm 121 states: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.   The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.  Notice especially verse 4 – Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  During his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Elijah mocked the prophets after they were unable to get a response from Baal.  I Kings 18:27 states: And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.  God does not sleep, and He will preserve Israel.  See the next two reports.)

Assad: Israeli strikes will continue as long as Israel is an enemy

August 10, 2023 — Israel National News reports: “Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on Wednesday said that alleged Israeli strikes against targets in Syria would continue ‘as long as Israel is an enemy.’

‘Israeli strikes on Syria are directed against the Syrian army under the pretext of the Iranian presence,’ Assad told Sky News, as quoted by i24NEWS. ‘The attacks will continue as long as Israel is an enemy.’

In recent years, Syria has accused Israel of hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed terror militias. Israeli security officials rarely comment on such strikes…”

Egypt, Jordan voice ‘full support’ for Palestinians, slam Israel

August 15, 2023 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah on Monday affirmed their ‘full support’ for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and urged Israel to fulfill its obligations in accordance with international law and to honor all agreements signed with the Palestinians.

Finding a suitable solution to the Palestinian cause and achieving a just and comprehensive peace is a ‘strategic option and a regional and international requirement,’ the three leaders said in a joint communique after the tripartite summit in the Egyptian city of El Alamein.

The summit was held amid ongoing talk about a possible normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In their communique, Sisi, Abdullah, and Abbas did not make any direct reference to reports about US efforts to broker a deal between Jerusalem and Riyadh. They stressed their ‘adherence’ to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, however, which stipulates that the Arab states would normalize their relations with Israel only after a full Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital…”

Iran trying to assert dominance by threatening US warships in Gulf

August 23, 2023 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “Iran threatened US warships in the Persian Gulf in a video it released this week.

The Iranian fast boats conducted various maneuvers at sea as they have in the past to show that Iran is not deterred by the US who always has warships based in the Gulf and often on patrol in the region, including usually an aircraft carrier, destroyers, and other vessels. The US has also recently increased its public movement of warplanes and ships to the region saying the goal is to deter Iran via these additions to US Central Command. 

Iran’s new video, which actually took place on August 17, shows that their naval fast boats approached a US warship and communicated with it. The Iranians identified themselves as ‘Sepah Navy Station’ and claimed that US helicopters were entering Iranian territorial waters. They said the US should move any helicopters that were airborne back to the US naval ships and that if the US did not then Iran would open fire.

The videos of the incident were then edited to make it appear as though the US helicopters had returned to the US ships…”  (Iran will be blotted out when Russia, China, and Islamic nations fight Israel and her allies during Armageddon – Revelation 16:16.  The battle is described in Ezekiel 39:1 – 5: …thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:  And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured… Soon the war of wars will arrive from the North and East [Russia and China] – Daniel 11:44.  The battle is described in Ezekiel 38:1 – 5: …the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,   Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief [Russian] prince of Meshech and Tubal: [Moscow and Tubal, or Tubalsk – Southwest of the Russian capital]:  And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:  Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:  See the next two reports.)

US hopes F-35s, ships will deter Iran in Gulf region as Iran threats grow

August 21, 2023 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “US Air Force F-35s are playing a key role in protecting the skies off the coast of the Gulf countries. The US Air Force component of US Central Command said this week that the US Air Force ‘F-35 took to the skies to defend and protect the Central Arabian Gulf alongside the US Navy’s USS McFaul. The joint coalition operation protects safe passage and defends freedom of maneuver for all vessels operating in Central Command’s region.’

McFaul is a destroyer ship that is posted to the Gulf region. Meanwhile, Iran’s Fars News ran an article on its homepage Monday showing a US carrier in the crosshairs with the headline ‘These are our territorial waters, go away.’  

US AfCent, the US Air Force component of Central Command, said in late July that F-35s had deployed to the Gulf. The F-35 is a fifth-generation advanced warplane that has exceptional capabilities.

It is one of many air force assets recently sent to the region including the F-22s. The US has also deployed A-10s and sent B-52s to the region over the last year. All of this is meant to deter Iran and Russia…”

US May Arm Commercial Ships in Strait of Hormuz to Stop Iran Seizures

August 4, 2023 — Voice of America News reports: “The U.S. military is considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, in what would be an unprecedented action aimed at stopping Iran from seizing and harassing civilian vessels, four American officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The U.S. didn’t even take the step during the so-called ‘Tanker War,’ which culminated with the U.S. Navy and Iran fighting a one-day naval battle in 1988 that was the Navy’s largest since World War II.

While officials offered few details of the plan, it comes as thousands of Marines and sailors on both the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall, a landing ship, are on their way to the Persian Gulf. Those Marines and sailors could provide the backbone for any armed guard mission in the strait, through which 20% of all the world’s crude oil passes…” 

Iran Says It Has Technology to Build Supersonic Cruise Missile

August 10, 2023 — Voice of America News reports: “Iran said on Wednesday it has the technology to build a supersonic cruise missile, Iranian state media reported, an announcement likely to heighten Western concerns about Tehran’s missile capabilities.

The announcement comes days after reports on the arrival of more than 3,000 U.S. sailors and Marines aboard two U.S. warships in the Red Sea. The U.S. forces are there to deter Iran from seizing and harassing merchant ships traveling through the Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz.

‘The supersonic cruise missile will open a new chapter in Iran’s defense program, as it is extremely difficult to intercept a cruise missile flying at supersonic speeds,’ the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

‘The new cruise missile is currently undergoing its tests,’ it added.

Despite U.S. and European opposition, Iran has said it will further develop its ‘defensive’ missile program. However, Western military analysts say Iran sometimes exaggerates its missile capabilities…”  (Iran’s goal is found in Psalm 83:4: Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.  As Dr. Van Impe has emphatically stated before – it won’t happen.  God has promised: …I will give them [Israel] an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off – Isaiah 56:5.  See the next report.)

Iran unveils armed drone, claims it could potentially reach Israel

August 22, 2023 — The Times of Israel reports: “Iran’s Defense Ministry unveils a drone resembling America’s armed MQ-9 Reaper, claiming that the aircraft is capable of staying airborne for 24 hours and has the range to reach the country’s archenemy Israel.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency publishes a photograph of the drone, called the Mohajer-10, on display at a conference marking Defense Industry Day with what appeared to be smoke-machine fog underneath it.

‘Mohajer’ means ‘immigrant’ in Farsi and has been a drone line manufactured by the Islamic Republic since 1985.

IRNA says the drone is able to fly at up to 24,000 feet with a speed of 210 kph (130 mph), carrying a bomb payload of up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds). It also says the drone could carry electronic surveillance equipment and a camera. Iran’s hardline President Ebrahim Raisi, a protégé of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is also on site viewing the drone…”