Hamas’ Ideology of Death

In the News
Written By Jahan Berns

Photo: Creator: Chris McGrath | Credit: Getty Images

The current Israel-Hamas war is a clear illustrator that while war is never a good thing, it sometimes is a necessary thing. Israel did not seek this war; Hamas made it a necessity. Hamas has long propagated a culture of death. Hamas’ long standing mantra was boldly articulated to the world in July 2014 by Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh who said, “We are a people that love death for the sake of Allah as much as our enemies love life.” In 2014, the Washington Post wrote that Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, admitted that “Hamas was using the Palestinians as human shields and that this has proven to be effective.” So while Israel has demonstrated time and again its commitment to preserving life by using every resource at its disposal (including Iron Dome interceptor missiles) to protect its people, Hamas uses its people to protect its missiles.

(Check out this story of how Hamas recently used an Arab doctor as a human shield.)

This ideology of death is alien, disturbing, and distasteful to rational minds, but Hamas is not rational. It’s this egregious irrationality and barbarism that we saw on display a number of days ago when Hamas without provocation butchered Israeli babies, the elderly, and entire families. It’s this barbarity and savagery that has convinced both the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration that Israel has the right to defend itself against these kinds of existential aggressions.

God anticipated that men in their fallen nature would engage in the most heinous of acts. Accordingly, He provided wisdom, counsel, and resources for His people when war became unavoidable. As Israel faces the possibility of a multifaceted war sponsored by Iran, God’s assurances to Israel spoken so long ago through Moses still ring true today:

“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’” - Deuteronomy 20 : 1 - 4 NLT

Let’s join in one accord to pray the above promises over Israel. As Israel continues to defend itself against Hamas, let not our voices be silent or our prayers be few. Our voices and engagement make a difference to Israel’s welfare. As always, thank you for standing with Israel and JH Israel.

We are in a critical time in history for the nation of Israel. Want to engage more?

Jahan Berns
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