The fragile calm in southern Gaza shattered on Oct. 19 when Hamas launched a surprise anti-tank and sniper attack against Israeli forces near Rafah, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. The Israel Defense Forces said the incident occurred “inside the designated ceasefire zone in Rafah” where troops were “lawfully stationed under the truce terms.”
Israel365 News reported that within hours, Israel launched “pinpoint retaliatory strikes on Hamas military positions including tunnel shafts and weapons depots in accordance with the ceasefire’s self-defense clause.”
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Despite this, outlets such as Reuters, NBC and The New York Times framed the story as though Israel “broke the ceasefire.” The article states that “social media amplified the distortion,” fueling outrage over what was in reality a Hamas provocation.
“A ceasefire cannot only be upheld by one side,” the IDF said, stressing that its response targeted terror infrastructure, not civilians. Israel365 added that “when terrorists violate a ceasefire, Israel’s duty is not passivity; it’s protection.”
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Media Spin and Global Reactions
The U.S.-brokered truce required Hamas to halt attacks, release all hostages and withdraw beyond a security line. The group has broken all three conditions. “Hamas has already violated all three,” Israel365 reported, noting that it continues to hold the bodies of slain Israeli hostages and has resumed direct attacks.
Fox News confirmed that Israel’s strikes targeted “Hamas military infrastructure not civilian areas.” The Jerusalem Post quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office saying crossings will reopen “once Hamas ceases its bombings and upholds its commitments.” Even the U.S. State Department warned one day before the attack about “a planned operation by Hamas against Palestinian civilians,” calling it a “direct and grave violation” of the ceasefire.
Former Jerusalem Post editor Avi Mayer called the media framing “journalistic malpractice,” arguing that implying Israel broke the truce while two of its soldiers were killed “misleads the public and distorts the truth.”
Prophecy and the Pursuit of Peace
For believers, the conflict reflects the ancient pattern foretold in Scripture. The Bible urges peace and justice yet foresees turmoil surrounding Israel before the return of Christ. Isaiah said, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:4), pointing to a future of true peace. Zechariah wrote that a coming ruler “shall speak peace unto the nations and his dominion shall be from sea to sea” (Zech. 9:10).
Before that peace arrives, prophecy warns of renewed hostility. Joel wrote, “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2) and Zechariah said “all the nations of the earth shall be gathered against” Jerusalem (Zech. 12:3). Yet the same chapter promises that “the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations” (Zech. 14:3). Revelation 19 reveals Christ returning as King of Kings to bring justice and restoration.
Peace Now and Peace to Come
Psalm 122:6 calls believers to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Working for peace remains a divine command, but Scripture teaches that lasting peace will come only when God Himself intervenes. The Israel365 report makes clear that Israel did not reignite this conflict. Hamas did.
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In the end times, the Bible shows Israel surrounded by nations before the Lord’s return, not because peace is futile but because redemption is near. Until that day Christians are called to support peace, stand for truth and remain watchful. When all seems lost, God’s covenant with Israel will stand and peace will one day prevail in His time.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
