Prophetic indicators on the Gaza Flotilla event

Three years ago the terrorist organization HAMAS took control of the Palestinian territory in the course of a conflict with rival Palestinian group Fatah. The Israeli navy maintains a sea blockade from three nautical miles offshore. Egypt is constructing an underground steel barrier to prevent circumvention of the blockade through smuggling tunnels.  Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to limit Palestinian rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on its cities and to prevent Hamas from obtaining other weapons. Egypt maintains that that it cannot open the Rafah crossing since opening the border would represent Egyptian recognition of the Hamas control of Gaza, undermine the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority and consecrate the split between Gaza and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip has land borders with Israel and Egypt, and a sea border. Egypt fearing a spill-over of Hamas-style militancy into their territory assisted in the blockade. The sanctions were tightened in response to rocket attacks on southern Israel and Palestinian militant attacks on crossing points between Israel and Gaza. Egypt and Israel largely keep their borders with the territory sealed. Israel allows only limited humanitarian supplies from aid organizations into the Strip. [source, Wikipedia]

Nine times over the three years, 'humanitarian aid flotillas' have been mounted and tried to breach the blockade. Five times, the Israeli forces allowed them through. The denials have occurred when the ships were carrying banned products, such as arms or materials used for supporting arms, like cement (to make bunkers).

A rocket fired by Palestinian militants from the northern Gaza Strip flies towards an Israeli target Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The Palestinians claim that there is a dire humanitarian issue in the Strip, even starvation, Israel maintains that while there is hardship, no humanitarian issue exists. And of course, if Hamas would release the land it took, then the entire issue would be over. Hamas is deaf to the pleas of the people. They continue to lob rockets, as seen above.

The flotilla approaching the Gaza Strip last night was the largest to date, with 6 ships. Haaretz reported, "IDF sources say that a clash with the activists on the ships will produce bad press from Israel's point of view - but they believe that this is inevitable in any eventuality. ... The basic assumption is that the activists are looking for a clash, and perhaps even a little bloodshed, which will be captured in the media. As far as is known, there are no arms on board the ships."

Despite repeated warnings from the Israel Navy not to approach, the Flotilla ships did. And as they did, they were stopped by the Israeli Navy. A gunfight ensued, and 15 activists were killed. Of course, cell phones and video cameras caught the action. Unfortunately, the clash occurred in International waters.

This morning, "Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that the organizers of the Gaza aid flotilla were to blame after at least 15 activists were killed when Israel Navy commandos stormed the ship. In a press conference hours after the incident, Barak said that Israel was prepared to accept the consequences of its actions and would continue to protect its autonomy. Barak voiced regret for the deaths, but called the flotilla a political provocation by and said the sponsors of the flotilla were violent supporters of a terror organization."

Worse, Israel suspects that Hamas is combining forces with Al-Qaeda. "MIDEAST: Gaza Extremists Drifting Towards al-Qaeda?" Two separate bomb attacks on Internet cafes in Gaza last week have served as an uncomfortable reminder that extremist groups within the coastal territory may be stronger than the moderate Hamas organisation which rules the strip. The attacks in Khan Yunis preceded a warning in a study, due to be released this week by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, that Gaza-based, militant, Palestinian groups may be moving closer to the al-Qaeda - the international Islamist network that has called for global jehad. The Associated Press (AP) has obtained a copy of the study..." [Left, a phosphorous bomb over Gaza]. Here is another report linking the flotilla activity with Al-Qaeda.

The Jerusalem Post reports the Deputy Foreign Minister said that "Their intent was violent, their methods were violent and their results were unfortunately violent,..." This is supported by the statement that "They claim to have offered to transfer all of its aid to Gaza overland from an Israeli port and say that offer was turned down multiple times." Bad PR for Israel was the intent and that is what the flotilla organizers got, in spades, as the world turns against Israel. "It was never going to look good and Israelis knew that, but it was never meant to be this bad. That sums up Israeli reaction to the flotilla fiasco unfolding in the waters off Gaza."

It's pretty bad.

Now, there are protests all over the Middle East decrying Israel's actions. Protests in Nazareth, in Beirut, in Turkey. Turkey is recalling its ambassador to Israel. Israel is warning Israelis not to travel to Turkey. Israeli forces are on high alert. Turkish protesters try to storm the Israeli consulate.

It's really bad.

Turkey's involvement is important because, remember, they eventually ally with the Muslim nations in the evil coalition that surprise attacks Israel in the very last days. This is the Gog-Magog battle as described by Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39. The attack by Israel on the Gaza Flotilla seems to be a huge step toward cementing that coalitition, with wavering Turkey wavering no more and falling firmly on the side of the Muslims and against Israel.

Interestingly, terrorist group Hamas's PR had been on the decline of late, and this event by Israel will undeniably give them a shot in the arm, bolstering their credibility in the world standing. They are already crying for the UN to do something against Israel. "Israel's attack on Gaza flotilla outrages the world." And again this is a prophetic indicator, because Zechariah said that “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it." (Zech 12:2-3) (photo source)

And even more indicators from Zechariah's prophecy, Allies turn on Israel
"Israel's allies froze military ties and summoned its ambassadors on Monday over the storming of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, as Muslim leaders slammed the deadly raid as "criminal" and "inhuman"."

The world is reeling this morning, against Israel, in a scene ripped from Zechariah. Oh, Lord, come soon!