Learn what will happen during the tribulation period from beginning to end
Your comments and questions are always welcome. To send comments and questions please click here to go to our main page. February 20th, 2002 By KARIN LAUB JERUSALEM (AP) - Firing missiles, tank shells and machine guns at Palestinian Authority positions, Israeli troops killed 15 Palestinians on Wednesday in reprisals for a Palestinian shooting ambush that killed six Israeli soldiers - one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli troops in 17 months of fighting. The six soldiers were killed at a West Bank checkpoint, shot at close range by three militiamen linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. The ambush ignited debate on the military's tactics, including the effectiveness of checkpoints, and intensified pressure on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to take more decisive action in stopping Palestinian attacks. "It's clear that the strategy that we've had until now can't continue," said the Israeli president, Moshe Katsav. Sharon declared after a meeting of Israel's security Cabinet on Wednesday that he would embark on a "different course of action" against the Palestinians. He did not elaborate. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, an advocate for restraint who participated in the meeting, cautioned that there are no quick solutions. In earlier reprisals by air, land and sea, Israel fired missiles at Arafat's seaside compound in Gaza City and his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Arafat remained in his Ramallah office, the lights turned off and accompanied by a few close aides, said one of his advisers, Ahmed Abel Rahman. Arafat urged President Bush to intervene and said that "the peace of the brave has to be respected." An Israeli Foreign Ministry official, Gideon Meir, said Israel will respond to "this terror campaign which was imposed on us ... by Yasser Arafat and his gang." You can bet, from this day forward, that this region will be on a collision course with all out war. If war breaks out, look for the Arab world to join forces with Russia and end this Middle East problem once and for all. There will be a shocking outcome that will stun the world. Actually I don't see a full-scale war in the immediate future, for the antichrist will arise before that day and bring a false peace to the region. Immediately, look for accelerated and more intense attacks by Israel on all the occupied areas including the Gaza Strip and West Bank. I don't think they will wait for the next suicide attack to strike. Ground troops will be used. Israel will be cleaning house and I will go so far as to say that they will be taking complete control of the West Bank. All possible terrorists will be jailed, killed or forced out. The attacks will be less discriminate so look for more Palestian civilian casualties. This will outrage the international community. Of course, President Bush will call for restraint, but the time for restraining is over. Pastor Malone