Current Conflict First Since Two Allies Became Enemies

Significant, this: The current Israeli-Gaza conflict is the first since the Arab Spring brought an Egyptian government hostile to Israel. Also, it is perhaps the first notable military conflict in Israel since Turkey left off being an ally. (Both Egypt and Turkey have now become financial backers of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.) 

Israel is more on its own in the region than it has been in a long time, and, so, we think of the scripture saying that in the last days, Jerusalem would be "a cup of trembling unto all the people round about," and that all who burdened themselves with Jerusalem would "be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it," and that the rulers of Judah would "devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left." (Zechariah 12:3-6)

Also of note, as we discuss the current Israel-Gaza conflict, there is debate as to who started it. The link below to a PBS segment suggests Hamas had long been firing missiles at Israel, but recently had ratcheted up the shelling to the point that the Israelis took cover in bomb shelters. So, understandably, the Israelis finally said enough is enough and fired back. My understanding is that Hamas missiles historically were ineffective, but recently had become more sophisticated. Was Israel justified? Surely it was justified in doing at least something, even if you do not allow it should have assassinated a Hamas military commander. If one million Americans were sent scurrying to a bomb shelter to avoid a missile shelling, we as a nation -- same as Israel did -- would be screaming for something to be done. 

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec12/israel2_11-16.html