The Unsettled Middle East

As always it seems the chaos of the Middle East leads my concerns for the upcoming weeks. Israel is still trying to consolidate their victories, U.S. still seems to be reaching toward the Arabs, Muslim etc. for deals and investments. Not sure I would want to get in bed with radicals. Trump seems not to notice their bad behavior. Deals made, but no money yet? All eyes will continue to be on Jerusalem that, as Bible prophecy indicates, is a stone of stumbling for the nations. Iran’s still a threat, Hezbollah still not disarmed, and Hamas still playing the same old games. Will we never learn? No, I don’t think so. Deals with deceit will never work. Time to unleash the firepower and finish the job. We are almost back where we started. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Content below taken from http://www.billkoenig.com

Trump, Netanyahu, the UN, and Iran: A High-Risk Week for Israel

This was one of the most geopolitically consequential weeks of the year for Israel, marked by unusual U.S. messaging, UN momentum against Israeli sovereignty, and large-scale military posturing by Iran. As the region reconfigures itself politically and militarily, Israel faces a tightening strategic environment that will require clarity, resolve, and decisive policy judgment.

Trump Pushes for Netanyahu Pardon — While Warning Israel on Syria

Former U.S. President Donald Trump continued publicly calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be pardoned of all charges related to his ongoing corruption trials in Israel. Trump framed the cases as politically motivated, urging closure for the sake of Israeli stability and unity.

However, the tonal contrast of the week was unmistakable.

Even as Trump advocated for Netanyahu’s legal relief, he personally warned Israel not to intervene militarily inside Syria, signaling that Washington does not want Israeli action disrupting sensitive regional balances — particularly where Russian, Iranian, and Syrian forces intersect.

This dual posture — unconditional rhetorical support for Netanyahu as an individual, paired with caution toward Israeli military activity — reflects Trump’s realpolitik approach: transactional, flexible, and often unscripted. For Israel, it presents both opportunity and risk.

Strong backing for Netanyahu is politically valuable, but a U.S. administration urging operational restraint in Syria could create strategic handcuffs precisely when Iran is embedding itself deeper across the northern theater.

UN Empowered Through Gaza Deal — and Moves Against Golan Heights

Trump’s Gaza stabilization plan has effectively re-elevated the United Nations into a central role in Gaza administration and long-term conflict architecture. The UN, after years of diminished influence, is suddenly positioned again as a gatekeeper for post-conflict arrangements.

The consequences were immediate.

This week, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the Golan Heights — one of the most strategically vital security buffers Israel possesses. The timing could not be more significant:

• A UN empowered by the Gaza framework

• A UN resolution targeting sovereignty over the Golan

• An international system once again conditioned to pressure Israel

For decades, the Golan Heights has been Israel’s northern shield — the high ground preventing Syrian and Iranian forces from threatening Galilee. A UN-backed withdrawal demand signals that international campaigns to erode Israel’s territorial legitimacy are escalating again.

Trump’s deal may have been designed for stabilization, but its practical outcome is that the UN now possesses renewed authority to define territorial questions, which historically has not favored Israel.

The Strategic Danger of Non-Ideological Foreign Policy

Unlike administrations with clearly defined pro-Israel ideological foundations, Trump’s foreign policy operates on pragmatic deal-flow, not doctrinal alignment. That flexibility can generate agreements — Abraham Accords proved that — but it also risks exposing Israel to rapid shifts in U.S. posture.

Non-ideological diplomacy means alliances are fluid, conditional, and transactional.

This week demonstrated that fluidity. Support for Netanyahu’s pardon suggests closeness. Warnings on Syria and a UN-empowering Gaza framework signal distance. Together, these create uncertainty — and uncertainty is a battlefield advantage for Iran, Hezbollah, and the UN diplomatic bloc.

Israel is entering a moment where the greatest threat may not be military — but diplomatic isolation combined with strategic ambiguity from its closest ally.

Iran Simulates War — and Threatens 2,000-Missile Barrage

Iran, sensing the moment, staged large-scale military exercises in the Gulf of Oman, firing ballistic and cruise missiles at simulated targets designed to reflect wartime conditions.

Just weeks ago, Iranian officials warned that if war with Israel erupts, Tehran would unleash 2,000 missiles at the same time — a saturation attack intended to overwhelm Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow, and the multilayer missile defense grid.

The 12-day war already demonstrated what smaller barrages can achieve. Two thousand simultaneous launches would represent a magnitude beyond anything Israel has ever faced.

Iran is signaling capability, intent, and confidence.

Northern Front — Israel vs. Hezbollah

In the shadow of Iran’s drills, Israel continued striking Hezbollah infrastructure inside Lebanon, targeting launch sites, weapons depots, and command channels. Hezbollah is relentlessly working to reconstitute its arsenal and precision-missile capacity, seeking parity or superiority in a future war.

Israel, fully aware of this trajectory, is racing to degrade Hezbollah faster than Hezbollah can rebuild.

This is a detention-attrition cycle — but one inch away from a regional ignition point.

Sifting Sand

Good morning friends, I hope I am not interfering with your day, but I feel a foreboding in my spirit over what has happened in the last few weeks with President Trump and some of the headlines that have dominated the news. This is not a bash fest, but a concern and call to intercession on behalf of Trump and his recent policies.  I am concerned by his mental state, flashes of anger, and profanity seems to be getting the best of him.  A call to pray for Trump! 

As a supporter of Trump as we all are, his latest steps have brought the covenant of Israel in the forefront.  Why the close affiliation with Qatar, who funds Hamas with hundreds of millions of $$.  What of his push with Saudi Arabia to join the Abrahamn accords?  (they won’t join without a Palestinian state).  Abraham Accords? Worship the same God, no we don’t. Qatar and Saudi governments have a plan to invest in America to destroy us and conquer us.  They do it with $$. Funding and investing in universities to get a foothold into America. Jihad comes into America in various ways.  Why accept the new mayor of NY Mamdani into the White House? Two years ago he was Al Qaeda?  Can two walk together except they are in agreement? Amos 3:3

The visual in one week of Sunni and Shite in the White House is striking.  The spiritual connotation of handshakes, agreements and smooth words is concerning.  Where is Israel in this? Have we begun to tell them, (no settlements in Judea & Samaria) not talk with them.  Netanyahu agrees, what else can he do?  Israel is fast becoming a vassal state to us and the Islamist have become investment partners.  Money is the mother’s milk in politics.  God will have the last say. Psalms 2 God laughs at our feeble plans, He has spoken. 

Again I am not bashing Trump, I am concerned in my spirit the direction we have turned.  Woe unto those who seek to divide Israel.  God will judge.  

We are at the precipice of decisions that may and will affect us as a nation.  I fear Trump has been given bad advice.  I don’t blame Trump because even few Pastors understand the importance of standing with Israel and the eternal covenant with Abraham and the Jewish people.  

Final note, he needs a real spiritual advisor, and he needs to listen to them.  Jack Hibbs, Tom Hughes, where are you? Intercession according to the will and purpose of God.  Rh

Epilogue : The Bible says when you see these things happening, look up for your redemption draws near.  Wars, rumors of wars, deception, earthquakes, floods in Ethiopia, Indonesian, Thailand, and dormant volcano erupting in Ethiopia, just in the last two days!  Maybe the worst is the genocide of Christians in Nigeria. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Maranatha

Israel & Iran Part 2

Israel and Iran are reportedly preparing for another war, although some analysts say it may not happen immediately. At the same time, the situation in Gaza appears frozen, with little progress on the ceasefire agreement and rising tensions in other Palestinian areas of the West Bank.

Iranian officials say their missile factories are operating around the clock because they hope to launch 2,000 missiles at once “to overwhelm Israeli defenses, rather than 500 over 12 days” as they did in June.

FULL STORY: cbn.com/news/israel

Peace is stalled in Gaza, or should I say never took hold. Experts believe Gaza could be divided for years between the IDF control and Hamas control of the strip. Rh

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Rebuild as IDF Finds More Hamas-UNRWA Ties

11/7/2025 05:46:19 AM Chris Mitchell

This my friends is why there can never be true peace in the Middle East. When one enemy is defeated (at least as far as the woke world will let), immediately another hater of Israel raises its demonic head! It’s Israel against the world. Praying that America never turns her back on Israel. God help us if we do. Rh

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel has launched its largest attack on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire began. Thursday’s escalation signals Israel’s determination to prevent the Iranian-backed terror group from rebuilding its arsenal of weapons.

The Israel Defense Forces announced they completed a series of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons facilities. The military claims Iran’s proxy continues to reestablish its terrorist stronghold and poses a clear and present danger to the State of Israel.

Before the attack, the IDF issued an evacuation warning to the Lebanese, a measure to prevent civilian casualties since the weapons facilities are in the midst of populated areas.

Israel’s Knesset received a briefing reportedly warning that Hezbollah, with help from Iran, is rebuilding its military strength faster than Israeli strikes can stop it. The setback Israel dealt Hezbollah in the 2023-24 campaign is fading, the military believes, and Hezbollah is smuggling weapons through Syria and by sea, and it is also producing its own arms.

The IDF says its attacks on Thursday are “just a preview” of what is to come if the Lebanese army doesn’t fully disarm Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the bombings, but said that negotiations are the only way to end the near-daily Israeli attacks on his country.

The U.S.is pressuring the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, as well. However, in an open letter, Hezbollah pledged to resist any attempts to take its weapons, and it criticized Aoun for considering any negotiations with Israel.

One member of a Lebanese Christian party stated, “Hezbollah insists on dragging us into another destructive war. It is unacceptable for a minority held hostage to dictate the fate of the free majority.”

Meanwhile, the IDF released documents showing evidence of an incestuous relationship between Hamas and UNRWA, the United Nations agency for the Palestinians. It uncovered details of Hamas operatives employed by UNRWA and documents revealing Hamas’s use of UNRWA facilities.

Israel’s military uncovered lists of UNRWA employees side by side with Hamas operatives, where the same individuals held both civilian and military IDs.

It’s just the latest evidence showing how the U.N. agency and Hamas worked together in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA is funded by many European nations, Australia, and Canada, among others. 

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED

ARE WE LOOKING AT ANOTHER BLACK MONDAY?

Good – BBB passed

Bad – Saudi Arabia: secret meetings 

Ugly – Judea & Samaria

Good: budget deal

Legislative Breakdown: What’s in the Big Bill

  • Tax Cuts Extended: The Trump-era tax reductions that were set to expire are now locked in, benefitting individuals and small businesses.
  • Tipped Wage Tax Eliminated: A major win for restaurant and service workers — and a clear political nod to working-class Americans.
  • Border Security Surge: Billions in new resources for the southern border — fencing, surveillance, and detention capabilities.
  • Regulatory Rollbacks: Additional deregulatory provisions aimed at streamlining federal red tape across sectors.
  • Planned Parenthoods lose $1 Billion close 200 facilities

Bad: Secret meetings 

Will this Monday be a “black Monday”, will Israel be sold out and told to accept a deal that is not in their best interest?  A few weeks ago Prime Minister Netanyahu flew from Europe to get Trump’s blessing to attack the nuclear facilities in Iran.  Trump told him to stand down and allow the US to broker a deal with Iran.  No deal was reached and the attacks happened anyway.  My fear is the same for this Monday, Israel needs to be in on all talks that concern peace in the Middle East. They are our long-time partners.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman secretly met with President Donald Trump and other key officials in the White House on Thursday to discuss de-escalation efforts with Iran, multiple sources confirmed with Fox News.

According to sources, the talks included discussions about de-escalation with Iran and getting to the negotiating table. The talks were also reportedly about ending the war in Gaza and negotiating the release of the remaining hostages – whether dead or alive – and about working toward peace in the Middle East. Although the talks were not exclusively about the possibility of normalization with Israel, sources said the conversation dealt with steps that needed to occur to get there.

The Saudis are in the process of finalizing a defense and trade deal with the U.S., and the message shared between the two allies, sources added, is that they see eye-to-eye on all issues.

  • Saudi Arabia – expansion of Abraham Accords
  • Likud Party deal to preserve Judea & Samaria
  • 60 day Hamas ceasefire
  • Who will rule Hamas?

Ugly: It’s all about the land.  

Remember James Carville ( insert crazy Cajun dialect) “It’s the economy stupid” to President Clinton on his re-election bid.  Well with Israel it is “all about the land.”

Fast forward to today: we are seeing signs of another round of Abraham Accord expansion, driven by geopolitical ambition and economic interests. Letters of warning have been sent to the White House by Pastors and Christian Conservatives, (myself included), but don’t yet know if they’ve reached President Trump’s desk. But the message remains the same

  • Genesis 15:18 (NKJV): On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
  • Joel 3:2 (NKJV): “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter judgment with them there on account of My people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: they have divided My land.”
  • Likud Party ministers in the Knesset demand that Netanyahu annex the West Bank (Biblical Judea and Samaria) before the end of the month.

Let us watch closely. Let us pray fervently. What are his faith advisors telling him?  

  • Are they speaking Biblical truth to Trump?
  • Do they understand the severity of dividing the land??
  • Or is Trump not listening to his counsel?
  • And let us speak truth boldly — that no campaign, no peace deal, and no political ambition is worth compromising the eternal covenant of the Lord.

Wrap up

  • Pray for discernment.  Someone needs to get into the President’s ear.
  • How badly does Trump want peace ?
  • Are financial deals more important?
  • Investments are great, but can two walk together???
  • Intercede because God frowns on division of the land of promise (covenant?)
  • Honoring God’s covenant with Israel is MAGA or America first.
  • Israel is the best friend we have in the world & in the most volatile area of  the world is Israel.

Sage words from Ambassador Mike Huckabee : “Hamas has “no future” in Gaza, it would be like the Nazis rebuilding Germany after WW2

Prayer points below:

  • Discernment for President Trump
  • No division of the land
  • No two state solution
  • Safety for IDF and citizens of Israel
  • Hostages returned first before a cease fire
  • Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem