Pointer to Eternity with Dr. Georgy

According to the New York Times report, the original attack plan was to carry out a similar operation, but on a much larger scale, to the commando raid that Israel carried out in Syria in September. Israel planned to carry out a large-scale bombing campaign from the air, and then to land commando forces on the ground to severely damage and dismantle the nuclear facilities on the ground. However, it was estimated that the operation that includes commando forces, would not be ready before October, and Israel wanted to act quickly. One reason for the rapid action was the desire to carry out the operation before the commander of CENTCOM, General Michael Erik Kurilla, leaves his post. The new plan, without commandos, proposed that Israel, with US support and assistance, would bomb Iran's nuclear facilities for an entire week, while defending against a large-scale missile attack. The goal, as seen by Israel, is to keep Iran more than a year away from developing a nuclear weapon.

For months there have been heated discussions in the Trump administration about whether to choose the option of attacking the nuclear facilities or the option of negotiating. Many voices in the administration have expressed their position against an attack, which could drag the US into a wide-ranging war - starting with the director of National intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump's chief of staff in the White House, Susie Wiles. The final decision was made after Iran announced in a letter to Trump that it agreed to talks, and after Gabbard presented a worrying intelligence assessment about the possible escalation following the attack. Mike Waltz, the national security adviser, was one of the strongest voices in favor of the attack option, but even he began to sound hesitant. Trump updated Netanyahu on his decision during his visit to the White House last week.

The visas of 1,300 Hamas-supporting students in the US have been revoked and they face deportation.

This is what the media won’t show you: Palestinians in Gaza chase down Hamas members who tried to infiltrate the anti-Hamas demonstrations.

U.S. Advises Israeli Officials to Delay Strikes on Iran: Citing unnamed Trump administration officials with knowledge on the matter, the New York Times (NYT) reported that top Israeli decision-makers planned to conduct strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as early as next month but were told by the U.S. "that the White House wanted to put the plan to attack the [Iranian] nuclear facility on hold. Officials also told the NYT that most, if not all, of Israel's concepts of operations (CONOP) would need the U.S. to directly support and/or participate in the strikes if they wanted to achieve said strike's operational goals. During their recent meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S. President Donald J. Trump also reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support any unilateral Israeli strikes on Iran while U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are ongoing. (OSINTdefender on X)

Historic statement by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun: We hope that 2025 will be the year in which the Lebanese government will have a monopoly on weapons; we will allow Hezbollah operatives to be integrated into the Lebanese army. Last night, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun gave an in-depth interview to the Qatari newspaper "The New Arab" (the English edition of Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed) and informed the Lebanese public about the steps that have been decided to restore the Lebanese government's monopoly on weapons. President Joseph Aoun said that in the Hezbollah disarmament plan (the details of which are also agreed upon by Hezbollah and Amal), Hezbollah operatives who wish to do so can enlist in the Lebanese army and Hezbollah's weapons - if they meet the standards of the Lebanese army - will be confiscated and become the property of the army. For the first time in 43 years, the discussion about disarming Hezbollah is realistic. (Lebanon's Secrets)

White House: China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions.

Don't think for a moment that believers in the Messiah are meant to be liked, appreciated, loved, or listened to by the world. In fact, the Bible says that as we approach the last days, the love of many will grow cold, and even in the church, people will not seek truth but will have itching ears, chasing what pleases them. We are here to make a difference for the few who have an ear to hear what the Spirit says. We should not grow weary in doing good. Big numbers are not a measure of success—faithfulness is! When we meet the Lord one day, He won’t say, “Well done, famous and successful,” but rather, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” As the world plunges into deeper, wider, and nastier chaos, we must remember that we were never promised a garden of roses in these last days. We are called to run the race, fight the fight, and keep our faith! The crown of righteousness awaits all who have loved His appearing. Faithfulness in how we live and holding fast to the blessed hope of eagerly awaiting His return—these are what we must strive for.

The new Syrian President, Ahmad Al-Sharaa (Al-Jolani) met with an Israeli delegation in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates yesterday Reportedly, the two sides discussed the possibility of a normalization of ties between Syria and Israel, as well as Emirati investments into Syrian infrastructure. Data from FlightRadar confirms that an Israeli government plane landed in Abu Dhabi shortly before the arrival of Syria's President, Ahmad Al-Sharaa (Middle East Spectator)

The Hungarian Parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution recognizing only two genders—male and female.

Saudi Arabia and the US are set to develop a civil nuclear program. US Energy Secretary stated that a broad energy cooperation agreement will be signed within weeks, with a nuclear deal within months.

The Iranian chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Islami: "We will continue to enrich uranium and gouge out our eyes at the West" Since the beginning of talks between the US and Iran Islami has been presenting a particularly hawkish line that is not at all typical of him. After making it clear that Iran will not stop enriching uranium, he said that the West is appropriating uranium enrichment and is unable to accept the fact that Iran has a vibrant nuclear industry. He even declared that with all the nuclear fuel Iran has, it will build a new nuclear power plant that will "take the eyes out of our enemies' eyes." He added that even though the US and "other countries" (Israel ahem ahem) are trying to intimidate it, Iran has nevertheless crossed all the red lines they set and they have done nothing to it.

Popular media trash including the BBC The place received an evacuation order and as a result no one was killed. Israel attacked terrorists operating from within the hospital. The BBC insults your intelligence and continues to be a mouthpiece of Hamas!

Our modern cultural tendency that allows for anybody to present as an authority on a matter without a foundation of understanding is leading to an intellectual and moral epidemic of our time. (Elica Le Bon on X)

There are unconfirmed reports that Mohammed Sinwar, brother of Yahya Sinwar and the de-facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, has been killed.

In this case, intelligence indicated the Al Ahli hospital compound was being used by Hamas terrorists to plan and execute terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, therefore causing the hospital to lose its protected status and turning it into a legitimate military target. We know, as an indispensable fact now, that Hamas systematically embeds their operations and terrorist fighters in hospitals, using civilians as human shields and hospitals as their command centers. However, merely because Hamas has seized hospitals as its own personal launching pads, does not provide carte blanche for Israel to conduct military operations. Under humanitarian law, Israel must still abide by fundamental rules such as distinction, proportionality and precaution. In each case, it has acted in accordance with its obligation.  Israel also took ample precaution, including providing advanced warning and helping facilitate the evacuation of civilians, staff and patients. The IDF also used precision weapons, in order to mitigate any potential harm to civilians or to the hospital compound. Quite simply, Israel has gone to unprecedented lengths to comply with its obligations pursuant to the law of armed conflict, whereas Hamas is doing everything possible in order to violate those laws and maximize casualties. It should also be noted that Al Ahli is the same hospital that on October 17th, 2023, Islamic Jihad fired a missle and then accused Israel for it - which the int’l community and press immediately rushed to blindly parrot. Those who truly care about the wellbeing of civilians in Gaza, and who are rightfully aghast at the scenes coming out of Al Alhi Hospital would be well advised to direct their outrage at Hamas, which continues to unconscionably and illegally turn hospitals into their personal control and command centers and severely risk the lives of innocent civilians. (Arsen Ostrovsky on X)

Overnight, the IDF was forced to conduct a military operation within the Al Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza. Conducting such military operations in war time, is very grave matter. But what does int’l law say about this, and when do hospitals become legitimate military targets? Under International Humanitarian Law, it is a foundational principle that hospitals receive special protected status. See for example, Art. 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Art. 8 of the Rome Statute, as well as customary int’l law. However, the laws of armed conflict are also pragmatic enough to recognize there are exceptional circumstances in times of war, in which hospitals may lose such special status. In short, this protection ceases if hospitals are “used to commit hostile acts” or for military purposes. See specifically Art. 8(2) of the Rome Statute, Art. 19 of the 4th Geneva Convention or Art. 11 of the 2nd Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. (cont'd.)

Trump has signed an executive order to extend the sanctions against Russia for another year. The document states: "Specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation... continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. It mentions that Russia continues to pose a threat to free elections and democratic institutions in the United States and its allies. The document also underlines Russia’s participation in and assistance with cyberattacks against the United States, undermining security in countries and regions critical to US national security, and violations of established international law principles, such as respect for the territorial integrity of independent states.

The Emirati newspaper "The National" reports, citing Mr. Abdel Aziz Sa'ar, director of the Persian Gulf Research Center, that the internationally recognized Yemeni government (as opposed to the Houthis) is currently recruiting 80,000 soldiers in preparation for a potential large-scale ground operation to seize Hodeidah province from the Houthis. The goal is to encircle the Houthis from all sides as a preparatory step toward capturing the capital.

The Israeli army has announced that it has taken full control of the 12-kilometer Morag Corridor, cutting off Rafah from the city of Khan Yunis and the rest of the Gaza Strip.