This week, as more Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity, the world had a glimpse into the barbaric nature of Hamas and its supporters.

Chaotic scenes were broadcast around the world as thousands of Palestinians surrounded and tormented an innocent Israeli woman, Arbel Yehoud, who was being led through the crowd by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fighters. What was quite remarkable was that the terrorists themselves were having to protect the hostage from the thousands of men surrounding them.

These scenes have sparked outrage in Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu having some strong words for Hamas.

“I view with utmost severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “This is additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas terrorist organization.”

The prime minister said he was insisting that “mediators ensure that such terrible scenes do not recur, and guarantee the safety of our hostages.” He added that “whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay.”

The former Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Yves Daccord, was also appalled by this.

“Releasing hostages in this way creates an enormous trauma on top of everything that has already happened,” Daccord told the New York Times, adding that such a handover was “absolutely psychological torture.”

That is exactly what Hamas intended. They are torturing the Israelis right until the very end. Their greatest weapon is terror.

The Hamas lies and propaganda is nothing new, but they are on full display with every hostage handover. Since the ceasefire deal was struck between Hamas and Israel, the terror group that controls the Gaza Strip has been creating propaganda scenes to try and project their strength and to humiliate the Israelis at every opportunity. Hamas fighters, who for the past 15 months have been fighting in civilian clothes (which is a war crime) are now seen parading the streets donned in full military gear.

Likewise, the Israeli ‘soldiers’ who were released were dressed up by Hamas in fake military outfits to try and make out that these women were legitimate targets for kidnapping (but again, kidnapping troops and removing them to enemy territory is a war crime). It should also be pointed out that these Israeli ‘soldiers’ were actually just observers, they were on their second day of basic training, and they were kidnapped whilst unarmed and wearing pyjamas.

Unfortunately, even the media keeps spreading the ‘soldier’ line, as it has for years whenever an Israeli ‘soldier’ who was off-duty, unarmed, and waiting for the bus was gunned down by a Palestinian terrorist. Using the word ‘soldier’ helps to remove the human element of the victim. Viewers are less likely to have sympathy for someone they think is armed and fighting, as opposed to an innocent victim.

Sadly, the media often calls Israeli civilians ‘soldiers’. Just this week the New York Times incorrectedly referred to Arbel Yehoud as one.

We hope the above example was just an honest mistake, but history tells us to not be so naive.

As Christians, it is important that we understand what we are dealing with here. Hamas is an evil organisation that seeks the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. Hamas is a tool of Satan in order to demonise and terrorise Israel. They will use every ungodly tactic at their disposal to attack Israel, and the lies and propaganda are one of the main ways they do this.

Satan is the father of lies. And just as antisemitism is satanic, so is anti-Zionism. God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people and it is a spiritual battle that Israel faces. Satan wants to destroy the nation of God through which the plans and purposes of God are being fulfilled. Those opposing Israel are opposing the plans of God.

We pray that the world wakes up and sees this reality, but unfortunately too many people are blinded to the truth.

Christians must be vigilant. The Bible speaks of God fighting for Israel and being the defender of Israel. God wouldn’t have to defend Israel if there weren’t those trying to destroy Israel.

Furthermore, God would not have assigned Christians to be the spiritual watchmen over Israel if there was no need for this.

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” – Isaiah 62:6-7

God is the One who set us as watchmen, and he commands us to keep watch and to keep praying for Israel. We must pray for the hostages, for their safe return to Israel.

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