Israel and Iran Still On the Front Burner - Is War Iminent?

Back in the beginning of August, there were several situations in the Israel/US vs Iran/Lebanon/Syria script that warranted keeping a good eye on. Indeed, just a few days ago there were some escalations.

With Ramadan ending September 10th, a new moon Sept 8th, is it possible that we will "retaliate" 9 years after 9/11 on Sept 11, 2010? Or will we wait for October 7th? Whatever happens, time is running out for this scenario. 

We have the following lengthy excerpted reports from the AOreport...

On Monday (8/30) the Hezbollah leadership under Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah issued a “State of War Alert” to all Hezbollah militia forces. Syria is also reportedly on its highest state of alert. The alert status is reminiscent of the situation just hours prior to the start of the war in June of 1967 known more often as “The Six Day War.”

According to various Western, U.S., Arab and Israeli intelligence reports, Hezbollah has been making final preparations for a large-scale sneak-attack against Israel. The only questions now amongst informed analysts revolve around the “when” and “where” of the expected attacks. (I love how the "debate" to whether there will be an actual attack is over. Get them before they get us!)

Many sources out of the Mideast hypothesize that a surprise attack could come late Thursday evening or perhaps more likely on Friday, September 2, 2010. Why Friday?

Friday is the last day of Ramadan which concludes with a festive, celebratory feast that ends the holy period of Ramadan. It is also known as “International al Qods Day” or “Jerusalem Day.” It is a day of Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people in their quest to secure Islamic control over all of Jerusalem. This day of consecration to that endeavor was conceived originally by the leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It is part of Iran’s master plan to be the leading nation of the Islamic world.

Such an attack would be viewed as a holy consecration to the task of retaking Jerusalem from Israel as well as destroying Israel. It would likely be viewed as the opening day of a war that Islamists would hope to conclude by the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashanah (9/8/10) and Yom Kippur (9/18/10).

2nd Optional Attack Date:

The second optional time point for launching a sneak attack against Israel would be on the eve of Rosh Hashanah which begins on the evening of September 8, 2010. This date marks the end of a 62 year period since the UN declared a homeland for the Jews back in November of 1947. Some Bible prophecy watchers suggest that this coincides with the Prophet Daniel’s prediction of a 63 year period that precedes a 7 year period of Tribulation. It should be noted that from this year of Rosh Hashanah forward for three and a half years would see “signs” in the heavens – namely lunar and solar eclipses during Jewish holy days in 2014 and 2015 including Passover. Such astronomical events are perceived by some as coming fulfillments of Biblical prophecies relating to signs in the sun and the moon.

While we find these timing hypotheses to be highly intriguing but we prefer to not make dogmatic assertions that such coming events are indeed to the “the” prophetic fulfillments of those prophecies, but we do admit to such possibilities.

It continues...

Indicator #1.= Israeli Troop Deployments

First of all, there are numerous reports from within the Islamic media outlets of the Middle East claiming that Israel has deployed an additional full armored division along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and Syria.

Indicator #2. = Iranian – Hezbollah War Councils

U.S., Western and Israeli intel reports note that Iranian leaders have been pressuring Hezbollah leaders to launch attacks against Israel. Various Iranian military commanders have made numerous visits to meet with Hezbollah leaders in both Lebanon and also the Syrian capital of Damascus.

Indicator #3. = Hamas Drive-by Terror Strike

Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip claimed responsibility for a terror attack in the West Bank where 4 Israelis were shot dead in a drive-by shooting.

Indicator #4. = Hezbollah Troop Movements

All of Hezbollah’s full-time troop forces are now at forward positions along the border with Israel in violation of UN agreements.

Indicator #5. = Hexbollah Reserve Call Up

Hezbollah has issued a call to duty for all of its part-time troop reserves.

Indicator #6. = Hezbollah Commando Forces Positioning

Hezbollah has placed its entire Commando Forces into special ‘strike’ positions for:

a. amphibious beach landings rapidly moving inland into central Israel

b. commando rapid strike forces from the border into northern Galilee

Indicator #6. Iranian officers activities

The Iranian commander of its “al Qods” (Jerusalem) Brigade – foreign division for Iraq, Gaza and the Palestinian Authority has spent the last 12 days in Damascus (since 8/19)
Along with the chief general of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps conducting War Councils with Hezbollah and Syrian officers.

The Real Effect
Observations -

• Christians have a soft side when it comes to Israel. In many of their eyes, the nation of Israel can do no wrong. (This position is strongly refuted in scripture.)
• Both sides are being played. There are well meaning individuals on either side that are compartmentalized and believe they are serving their country's interests. (After all, why take chances when you can influence and cajole?)
• Both sides have a right to protect their respective countries. (Read as pre-emptive war is NOT on the table.)
• Israel has been caught repeatedly provoking other countries.
• BOTH sides are very twitchy and have the potential to spark things off. Although this does raise an interesting question. If two armies are facing off and one sneezes, is the side that sneezed responsible for the bloodshed that follows and the other side justified in any actions it takes? Contemplate that for a while.
• If the Arabs attack during a peace conference, things are going to look horrendously bad publicly for them. I believe this is a possibility, but significantly less likely than an accidental skirmish which escalates into a war. 

I am unsure at this point if Ramadan ends today or next week. My gut tells me next week, so I'll go with no major developments with this for now.