A Role for Europe in Gaza?

In response to incessant rocket fire from Gaza, Israel retaliated with a military offensive. Since then, dozens of Israelis and more than 600 Palestinians have been killed (BBC, July 23, 2014). Reacting to the carnage, “The UN’s top human rights official has condemned Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip, saying that war crimes may have been committed… She also condemned Hamas for ‘indiscriminate attacks’ on Israel” (ibid.). However, the EU has offered another perspective. In a joint statement, foreign ministers of EU nations said they are “appalled by the human cost” of Israel’s military operation which has killed hundreds of civilians in Gaza, but they “recognised Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself” from the “indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel” from Gaza which they termed “criminal and unjustifiable acts” (EU Observer, July 22, 2014). 

This escalating situation is pushing world powers to seek a way to intervene and stop the carnage. The idea has been suggested that UN or EU peacekeepers could be sent to the troubled area. Bible prophecy reveals that at the time of the end, a European Beast power will get involved in and ultimately control the Holy Land (Daniel 9:27; 11:40-44; Luke 21:20-24)—perhaps initially to enforce some sort of cease-fire. For decades this Work has been urging readers to “watch the Middle East” and we are beginning to see why.

For more about the future of Israel and Gaza, read our booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy.