UPDATE:

The Israel Air Force, working with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), launched two missile attacks against terrorist groups in Gaza Tuesday night,[12/27/11] killing at least three and, according to Palestinian reports, injuring at least 11. Several hours later, Palestinians fired a Kassam rocket from inside Gaza but it exploded inside the Strip.

Israeli army chief Gen. Benny Gantz says there is no alternative to another major military ground operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

"From time to time, we face rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and we understand the continuing buildup from the Sinai region," said Gantz. "I believe that the state of Israel cannot continue to live under the active threat of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Sooner or later, there will be no escape from conducting a significant operation.

"No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy...." Psalm 33:16-18

Prayer looms large in the Holy Land. Jew, Christian, Muslim alike understand that the struggle for the Holy Land is a spiritual battle.

The Jewish people ask the God of Israel for His blessings each day and Palestinian Muslims pray five times a day to Allah. Both peoples pray for health, prosperity and protection, interceding for their respective nations. Christians who call on The Name of Yeshua fall somewhere in the middle:

Those who take the promises of the Bible literally stand with Israel; those who do not side with the Palestinians.

"...the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision..." Joel 3

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

European members of the Security Council - France, Britain, Germany and Portugal condemned Jewish building in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem and took a very unbalanced view of what is needed to get the peace process back on track.

The Europeans said that recent Israeli plans to build additional apartments in existing Jewish "settlements" or in Jewish neighborhoods on the eastern side of Jerusalem "send a devastating message" and must be reversed.

"All settlement activity, including in east Jerusalem, must cease immediately," insisted France, Britain, Germany and Portugal.

Contradicting the traditional position that all peace negotiations should take place between Israel and the Palestinians, the Europeans demand that both sides instead present proposals to the Middle East Quartet comprised of the European Union, United States, UN and Russia. The Quartet would then mediate those proposals and provide a plan for peace.

Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners late Sunday, the second and final phase of a swap with Gaza Hamas militants that brought home an Israeli soldier after five years in captivity.

Under the Egypt-brokered deal, Israel agreed to exchange a total of 1,027 prisoners for Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006. Schalit returned home in October when Israel freed the first batch of 477 prisoners. Sunday's release of 550 prisoners completed the swap.

"Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not: Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence... Jeremiah 5

As Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu wishes Christians in Israel and around the world a Merry Christmas - let us remember to:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever.  Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48

The Muslim world has clearly demonstrated their extremist nature of dealing with conflict by working itself into a frenzy over an Israeli decision to either repair or replace a bridge to Jerusalem's Temple Mount that wasn't even used by Muslims.

While Muslims have several other Temple Mount entrances at their disposal, the Rambam Bridge, also known as the Mughrabi Bridge, adjacent to the Western Wall Plaza was the only entrance to the holy site for both Jews and tourists.

Muslims across the region accused Israel of waging a holy war against Islam. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) asserted that Israel's plans for the bridge "constitute a war crime according to international humanitarian law."

"Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." Psalm 83