Quote: "Israel is looking into reports that Russia plans to sell 250 advanced long-range Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to Iran in an unprecedented billion-dollar deal. According to reports, in addition to the fighter jets, Teheran also plans to purchase a number of aerial fuel tankers that are compatible with the Sukhoi and capable of extending its range by thousands of kilometers. Defense officials said the Sukhoi sale would grant Iran long-range offensive capabilities.

Iran also recently acquired advanced Russian anti-aircraft technology to help protect its nuclear installations from an Israeli or US strike. Russia was criticized for pressing ahead with the deal despite concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions. If these new reports prove true, it will likely fuel fears of a new conflict in the region, one that could see Israel becoming a direct target. The Bible states that the war of Ezekiel 38-39 comes at a time when Israel is at rest (not necessarily at "peace"). The most likely time for a Russian-Arab invasion of Israel would then be following a long-term Israeli-Palestinian truce, or following the Antichrist's covenant with many. And this is exactly how the Palestinian terrorist organizations have stated they plan to destroy Israel. Although the war of Ezekiel 38-39 may not come just yet, it's easy to see how preparations are being made, and the Scriptures have once again demonstrated that they can be trusted implicitly, when it comes to matters of faith, historical and future events.

Source Chicago Tribune, Jerusalem Post

DEBKAfile reports: US Air Force B-2 Stealth bombers will soon be fitted with newly-developed 15-tonne Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs

July 23, 2007, 10:05 AM (GMT+02:00)

American military sources say the gigantic new bunker-blaster is designed to hit fortified underground targets such as Iran’s uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz.

It will be capable of drilling through many meters of earth or concrete. When it falls from a high altitude, the MOP – composed of 20% explosives, 80% hardened metal - will punch a hole in the toughest protective casing before exploding in depth. It is GPS guided.

DEBKAfile’s military sources reveal that Israel’s RAFAEL has upgraded its US-made SPICE air-to-ground missile, adding a stand-off precision guidance kit.

This kit has been cleared for the US-made BLU-109 penetrator warhead, carried by Israeli warplanes, which is rated one of the top-line US weapons capable of hitting fortified targets from the air or warship.

Its effective drop range has been extended from 60km to 90km enabling Israeli warplanes to release the missile to target from outside enemy territory without being exposed to air defense fire.

The Israel-made PGM cannot be jammed since it does not depend on coordinates which can be falsified. After the targets are loaded into the bomb’s computer and dropped, it navigates and guides itself without pilot intervention and cannot therefore be diverted in mid-flight.

The unveiling of these super-weapons comes shortly after satellite pictures showed new digging efforts in the mountains just outside Iran’s Natanz facility. Analysts worldwide believe a tunnel complex is under development.

An anonymous Iranian source writing for the Lebanese Asharq Alawsat newspaper has stated that President Ahmadinejad has "bought off" President Assad of Syria in a $1 billion dollar deal. According to the report, Iran has promised to restore a pro-Syrian government in Lebanon in exchange for Syria's refusal to enter into negotiations with Israel, and will fund Syrian arms acquisitions from Russia and North Korea. Ahmadinejad had met with Assad on Thursday following his re-election as President of Syria for another seven year term. The Syrian government had been threatening war if Israel did not hand back the Golan Heights by September of this year. Newly elected President Shimon Peres recently stated that if Syria was serious about peace, that there was no alternative for direct negotiations between the two nations. But if today's report is accurate, it is extremely doubtful that any such negotiations will occur.

Quote: "The report went on to say that aside from economic, cultural and scientific cooperation, Iran will help to fund Syria's purchase of Russian and North Korean weapons. These weapons reportedly will include 400 advanced Russian T-72 tanks, 18 Russian Mig 31s, as well as eight M-8 helicopters and other military equipment. In addition, Iran will reportedly help Syria build factories that would manufacture medium-range missiles, and will also supply Syria with Iranian-made tanks and armored personnel carriers. The Syrian navy will also reportedly be rearmed with Chinese-made C-801 and C-802 missiles, which are presently being manufactured in Iran.

The idea of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria has also been derided by Jordan. Foreign Minister Abdelelah Al-Khatib has stated that peace between Israel and the Palestinians must come first before there can be peace between Israel and Syria. Al-Khatib's comments constitute an effort by Arab states to maintain a united front against Israel, and tar the Jewish state as the sole cause of conflict in the region. Al-Khatib also blamed Israel for the situation in Gaza.

Quote: ""The situation in the Gaza Strip is fragile and complicated, but its origins - which many Israelis also say - lie in the unilateralism and lack of coordination with the Palestinian Authority over the withdrawal." Khatib made it clear that he objects to further unilateral steps that Israel may be planning.

And that's the absurdity of this position. The Arab states demand that Israel withdraw to the pre-1967 armistice lines, but they must not withdraw without the prior consent of the Arab states. So in other words, no matter what Israel does it is in the wrong. If Israel does not make any unilateral disengagements, it is still occupying "Palestinian" land. If Israel tries to "get rid of the territories" and the Arab states refuse to give it their blessing, Israel will once again get the blame. As we can see with today's news on Syria strengthening its ties with Iran, Arab states will never agree to peace with Israel, and it is this situation that will eventually bring about the destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17) and the time of Jacob's trouble.

Ezekiel 36:4-8
Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about; Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey. Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame. But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.

Source Jerusalem Post, Haaretz