IDF gearing up to invade Gaza

Israeli media this week reported that the IDF is gearing up for another large-scale ground incursion into the Gaza Strip to halt terrorist rocket fire and curb the threat posed by groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The Jerusalem Post reported last month that the IDF General Staff had ordered the Southern Command to draw up plans for a Gaza incursion. Over the weekend, the paper revealed that a growing number of senior officers in the Southern Command are now pushing for the order to be given to begin the attack.
One officer argued that, unlike in the past, "there is no need to wait for a provocation to launch an offensive against the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. The ongoing attacks...are cumulatively more than enough to justify immediate action."

Israel's government and the army were harshly criticized in the past for waiting until after Gaza terrorists managed to kill or wound enough Israelis before launching a significant retaliation.

Thirty rockets and medium-range missiles have been fired from Gaza into southern Israel during the first two months of 2012. In 2011, there were 680 rocket and mortar attacks, including 80 firings of medium-range Grad-type missiles. Casualties were minimal, but the constant attacks have had the effect of putting southern Israel under siege.

When a Grad-type missile landed in the outskirts of the southern city of Beersheva last week, IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Benny Gantz said it was only a "matter of time" before the Israeli army would have to reenter Gaza.

The IsraelDefense website reported that according to its sources in the defense establishment, the army will not follow the outline of its 2008 invasion of Gaza, Operation Cast Lead. This time, the IDF is likely to divide Gaza into three segments, possibly establish a permanent presence along the Gaza-Egypt border, and topple the ruling Hamas regime.

In other news signalling that a fresh Gaza war is on the horizon, the IDF last week sped up plans to deploy anti-missile systems near Tel Aviv. Intelligence suggests that Gaza-based terrorists now possess missiles capable of reaching the densely-populated metropolitan area.

Source

'Nuclear-armed Iran will trigger Mideast arms race'

Iran is clearly trying to develop a nuclear weapons capability, and if it succeeds it will set off a dangerous round of nuclear proliferation across the Middle East, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in an interview published on Saturday.


Iran says its uranium enrichment program is purely for civilian purposes, but Western powers suspect Tehran is trying to develop the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

Western powers have been pressing Tehran to hold substantive talks on its nuclear program and want it to halt its uranium enrichment, but Iran says it has an absolute right to press ahead with its plans.


Several rounds of increasingly punitive United Nations and Western sanctions have failed to persuade Iran to stop its enrichment program, some of which has been moved to underground buildings for greater security.


The Iranians "are clearly continuing their nuclear weapons program," Hague told The Daily Telegraph. "If they obtain nuclear weapons capability, I think other nations across the Middle East will want to develop nuclear weapons."



 REUTERS

A Warning Sign For The World

Any financial system that is based on debt is doomed to fail.  Today, we are living in the greatest debt bubble that the world has ever seen, and if all of a sudden people could not use credit to buy things our economy would immediately ground to a halt.  Unfortunately, no debt bubble can last forever.  When this current debt bubble finally bursts, faith in the financial system is going to disappear, credit is going to freeze up and there is going to be a massive wave of bank failures.  Right now, Greece is a warning sign for the world.  

Nobody wants to lend money to Greece, the Greek banking system is dying, one out of every four businesses has already shut down, unemployment is soaring and the Greek economy has now been in recession for five years in a row.  Sadly, the economic implosion in Greece is rapidly accelerating.  The Greek economy shrunk at a 7 percent annual rate during the 4th quarter of 2011.  That wasn't supposed to happen.  Things were supposed to be getting better in Greece by now.  But instead the Greek depression is getting even worse, and very soon the rest of the world is going to be going through what Greece is currently experiencing.


Source/Continues

Saudi Arabia to buy nukes if Iran tests A-bomb

By msnbc.com staff, NBC News and news services 

Saudia Arabia would move quickly to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran successfully tests an atomic bomb, according to a report.

 Citing an unidentified Saudi Arabian source, the Times newspaper in the U.K. (which operates behind a paywall) said that the kingdom would seek to buy ready-made warheads and also begin its own program to enrich weapons-grade uranium.

 The paper suggested that Pakistan was the country most likely to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons, saying Western officials were convinced there was an understanding between the countries to do so if the security situation in the Persian Gulf gets worse. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have denied such an arrangement exists.

 Iran, which follows the Shiite branch of Islam, and Sunni Saudi Arabia are major regional rivals. The Times described its source for the story as a "senior Saudi," but gave no other details.


It also cited an unnamed Western official as saying that Saudi Arabia would ask Pakistan to honor the alleged agreement "the next day" after any Iranian nuclear bomb test.


The U.S. and other nations suspect that Iran is using its civilian nuclear work as a cover for a weapons program, but Iran insists that its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful. The U.S. has used sanctions and diplomacy to pressure Iran on the issue, but has long refused to rule out military action saying that all options are on the table. Israel is also believed to be contemplating a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.



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Report: Syrian Armored Forces Move Nearer to Israel

According to reports from the Free Syria Army, the Syrian military has moved forces stationed in the southern part of the Syrian Golan Heights closer to Israel.

The Syrian military did not come close to the border with Israel. However, armored forces that were stationed along the Syria-Jordan border, which were recently reinforced, were moved and are now closer to Israel, according to the report.

The Free Syria Army is the largest opposition group in Syria and is partly made up of defectors from the official Syrian Army.

Israel has been concerned that Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad, whose regime is on the verge of collapse, may try to defuse the uprising against him by starting a conflict with Israel.

A Lebanese newspaper, The People's Army, claimed Thursday in its news website that the IDF has been making an extra effort in the past few days to place landmines all along its border with Syria.

Hundreds of Israeli soldiers are reportedly working at lining the border with mines. Israel had already placed mines along some stretches of the border with Syria after the Nakba Day events last year, in which hundreds of Syrians broke into Israel virtually unimpeded. The action had been orchestrated by the Syrian government, later reports showed.

Source

2011 - A Global Shaking of all things

2011 - A year of Historical Events and prophecy This video deals with world events mainly from around the OCTOBER, NOVEMBER and DECEMBER months of 2011. Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

24 Signs That We Are Getting Dangerously Close To A Major War In The Middle East

Is 2012 the year when we will see a major war in the Middle East? For years we have heard about rising tensions in the Middle East, and for years we have heard politicians express concerns about Iran's nuclear program, but now things really do seem to be reaching a boiling point. In just the past few days, the U.S. government has imposed tough new sanctions on Iran and has totally shut down the U.S. embassy in Syria. The truth is that we are getting dangerously close to a major war in the Middle East. So will Israel strike Iran at some point in the next few months? Will the U.S. military intervene in the rapidly escalating conflict inside of Syria? If a major war does erupt, it could send the price of oil skyrocketing and there is the potential that the war could broaden very quickly. Hezbollah has already indicated that it will side with Syria, and there is always the potential that Hamas could as well. Russia and China have both stated that they are completely opposed to military action by the United States against Iran and Syria, and they have even hinted that they would possibly even help defend those countries. As the nations of the world take sides, there is even the potential that we could see World War III develop. Let us hope that it never comes to that, but with the world as unstable as it is right now, you never know what may happen.

What makes war so much more likely now is that nobody has shown any signs of backing down.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has sworn that he will never step down.

U.S. President Barack Obama says that it is only a matter of time until he is forced to step down and that no other outcome is acceptable.

Iran has sworn that it will never end its nuclear program.

The United States believes that if Iran is allowed to develop a nuclear weapon it would be a fundamental threat to world security.

Israel believes that if Iran is allowed to develop a nuclear weapon it would be a fundamental threat to the very existence of the nation of Israel.

So if nobody backs down, what is going to happen?

I think we all know what is going to happen.

The following are 25 signs that we are getting dangerously close to a major war in the Middle East....

Read more here

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/24-signs-that-we-are-getting-dangerously-close-to-a-major-war-in-the-middle-east

Storm Church by Jim Yackel

Fellowship in and worship of our Holy, Triune God are integral parts of our lives today. Without Him, we are truly nothing but animated dead shells. But, there is a day coming when doors to a number of our organized churches may not be able to open; if congregants are even permitted to travel the roads to reach these structures.


The Storm Church will in essence be tantamount what is commonly known now as the "home" church. Small congregations will meet in the house of the church host; and the location may shift from week to week. Fellowship, worship, and Bible study will be lead by the founder of the particular church or by the host him or herself. If damage, destruction, Martial Law, or other sundry police states prohibit the driving to an actual church edifice, then the Storm Church held within the intimacy of a private home will be the manner in which services can be held.


The Storm Church may merely be a congregation of immediate family members, or, it could involve participation from an entire neighborhood. The bottom line is that the nourishment that comes from God's word and from the gathering with other members of His body will be vital for our earthly survival when conditions deteriorate to dangerously low levels here in the Natural. We will need each other to encourage and to lift injured and frightened spirits. Those who are more mature in the faith will need to lead the spiritually young who will come to foot of the cross when life in the Storm becomes fearsome.


As the spiritual and governmental stranglehold becomes tighter, many will finally come to the realization that Jesus is the only way to breathe. As the wind intensifies to gale-force in the coming months, many will come to realize the Jesus is the only fortress against the bitter behemoth that is bearing down on us. Sadly, many more will continue to turn to themselves, to their addictions, and to the government that is in fact the enemy to attempt to find help as conditions become increasingly inhospitable. They will continue to reject the Alpha and Omega and die in their sins. This is why the Storm Church will need to reach out in the same manner that the "organized" church does. The numbers will be small and the resources will be minimal; however the task and the mission field will become our neighborhoods, cities, and towns that will be in crisis.


Storm Troopers will be at the tip of the spiritual spear and Jesus grips that spear in his nail-scarred hands. The Storm Church will thrive as long as we recognize who and what we stand for and serve. Great responsibility will be loaded into our backpacks as the Winter Thundersnow blows across a tumultuous frontier where souls blow as tumbleweeds; needing to be gathered and then led to the saving grace of Christ. Today, we see the onsets of mean seasons staggering drunkenly into the Fall of the nation.


Dear Lord - we have always required Your saving grace and infinite mercy. We will need Your guidance in new ways as the world experiences increasing upheaval in 2012. Guide us Lord, into fellowship in each other's homes as brothers and sisters functioning as Your family and Your body. Call forth Your leaders and equip us please for the monumental task that stands in wait. Let us, Lord, be Your hands and feet as the brunt of this dynamic and multi-faceted Storm which is meteorological, seismic, governmental, financial, terror, militaristic, and spiritual - bears down on us as a runaway freight train.


Lord Jesus, please prepare us, guide us, use us, assemble us, and protect us. In your glorious name we pray - amen.

Rising Australian floodwaters force mass evacuation

Thousands of Australians were forced to abandon their homes on Sunday as a record deluge swept through areas still reeling from last year's devastating floods, claiming its first life.

Police ordered the 3,800 residents of the town of St George, in northern Queensland state, to evacuate as rising floodwaters raced towards record heights, threatening to cut the one remaining exit road.

In the town of Roma, further north, a woman whose car was swept from a flooded roadway became the disaster's first official victim, with searchers finding her body two days after she went missing.
"Residents of St George are required to evacuate by road before the Moonie Highway is cut by floodwaters, which is expected to occur sometime in the early part of Sunday evening," police said in a mandatory evacuation order.

"Air evacuation to Brisbane is being organised to ensure evacuations can proceed after the Moonie Highway closes."

Police doorknocked every home in town to deliver the order and are permitted to use reasonable force if people refuse to leave, with mayor Donna Stewart warning resident safety could no longer be guaranteed.


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Israel Warns US Jews: Iran Could Strike Here

By RICHARD ESPOSITO
Feb. 3, 2012

Israeli facilities in North America -- and around the world -- are on high alert, according to an internal security document obtained by ABC News that predicted the threat from Iran against Jewish targets will increase.

"We predict that the threat on our sites around the world will increase … on both our guarded sites and 'soft' sites," stated a letter circulated by the head of security for the Consul General for the Mid-Atlantic States. Guarded sites refers to government facilities like embassies and consulates, while 'soft sites' means Jewish synagogues, and schools, as well as community centers like the one hit by a terrorist bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people.

The head of Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, told an audience at a closed forum in Tel Aviv recently that Iran is trying to hit Israeli targets because of what it believes are Israeli attacks on it nuclear scientists. Yoram Cohen said that Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the same militant wing of the government linked to the recent alleged plot against the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., is working tirelessly to attack Israeli and Jewish targets abroad in order to deter Israel.

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TRIBULATION RISING: PREPARE YOUR HOUSE

Tribulation is swiftly approaching. The signs have been foretold, the prophecies have been revealed, and are now rapidly showing themselves without doubt. What will you do? Bury your head in the sand or stand up for Christ and fullfill the great commission. Prepare your house and get yourself right with Christ, or it will overtake you like a thief in the night.

Roubini: Iran Conflict Could Spark Global Recession, Send Oil to $150

Economist Nouriel Roubini says that a conflict with Iran over its nuclear program that involves Israel, the United States, or both could drive oil prices to $150 per barrel and lead to a global recession, MSNBC reports.

Unemployment, economic insecurity and growing inequality between rich and poor are already problems in most of the world, Roubini observes, and a major change in policy priorities is needed.

"All these things lead to political and social instability," Roubini says.

"So we have to reduce inequality. We have to give growth to jobs, skills, education, and increase human capital so workers can compete," says Roubini, who teaches at New York University's Stern School of Business and is the chairman of Roubini Global Economics, an economic consultancy firm.

Read more: Roubini: Iran Conflict Could Spark Global Recession, Send Oil to $150 

Pro-Mubarak Forces Cause Massive Riot In Egypt Leaving 74 Dead and 1,000 Injured

This was the chaotic scene at Cairo's main train station last night as hundreds of football fans returned from a stadium riot which left 74 dead and more than 1,000 injured.

Anxious Egyptians gathered to see whether friends and family had made it back safely after violence flared in the Mediterranean city of Port Said when local team Al-Masry beat Cairo's Al-Ahly, the country's most successful club, 3-1.

Security forces loyal to ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak have been blamed for sparking the football riot.

The final whistle prompted more than 13,000 home fans, armed with knives, iron bars and machetes, to storm the pitch and attack rival Al-Ahly players and their 1,200 supporters.
Anger quickly spread across the country - and thousands of protesters turned up at the Ramses terminal to chant 'Down with military rule'.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2095316/Egypt-football-riot-Fans-fled-carrying-dead-bodies-covert-attack-security-forces.html#ixzz1lGdFNJQU

Iran has uranium for 4 nuclear bombs

Intelligence chief says Iran can make bomb within a year; adds that 200,000 rockets, missiles threaten Israel.

Iran has created a stockpile of enriched uranium that could be used to manufacture four nuclear weapons, head of the IDF's Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Herzliya Conference, Kochavi said that once Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the decision to go to the so-called "breakout stage" and begin enriching uranium to military-grade levels, it would take the Iranians a year to make a crude device and another year or two to manufacture a nuclear warhead that can be installed on a ballistic missile.

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