On this winter solstice, as Christians worldwide contemplate the birth of the King of kings in Bethlehem two millennia ago, the geopolitical tremors emanating from the Middle East remind us that the ancient city of Damascus—the world's oldest continuously inhabited capital—remains at the center of prophetic attention.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to present President Donald Trump with options for new military strikes against Iran during their scheduled December 29 meeting at Mar-a-Lago, according to NBC News. Israeli officials indicate that key decisions regarding the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire hinge entirely on Trump's position, including how Hamas's disarmament would be tied to an IDF withdrawal. Meanwhile, a fascinating diplomatic tension has emerged: Trump reportedly rebuffed Netanyahu's push to retain sanctions on Syria following the Assad regime's collapse, with Israeli media outlet Kan 11 reporting that Washington offered Jerusalem unspecified 'compensation' following the refusal. The ancient burden of Damascus, spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, continues to weigh heavily on regional calculations.
The United States and Jordan launched joint airstrikes Friday against Islamic State targets in Syria under 'Operation Hawkeye,' retaliating for an ISIS ambush earlier this month that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Jordan's military confirmed its air force 'participated in precise airstrikes targeting several ISIS positions,' underscoring the enduring threat posed by the terrorist organization even as new governance structures attempt to take root in post-Assad Syria. Turkey, meanwhile, hosted a Hamas delegation in Istanbul, where intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met with officials to discuss Gaza ceasefire compliance—a reminder that multiple powers are positioning themselves to shape the region's future.
The earth itself continues its restless movements. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck 106 kilometers north of Yakutat, Alaska on Saturday, prompting a tsunami warning from monitoring authorities. The Pacific Rim's seismic activity extended to Russia's Kuril Islands, where a 4.7 magnitude tremor was recorded near Shikotan. California's fault lines also stirred awake, with a 3.9 magnitude earthquake rattling San Ramon in the Bay Area, followed by additional tremors near Ojai in Southern California. The USGS recorded over 530 earthquakes worldwide in the past 24 hours, including 17 above magnitude 5.0—a sobering reminder of our planet's dynamic nature.
In Gaza, the debate over famine conditions continues. A new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report released Friday presents what analysts describe as 'an incomparably better picture' than August's Phase 5 famine declaration, though hunger persists throughout the territory. The Israeli government maintains strong arguments regarding the IPC's earlier assessment, yet critics point to what they characterize as a deliberate policy of restricted aid that resulted in hundreds of deaths. Greece is now weighing whether to deploy engineering units to Gaza as part of Phase II of the ceasefire plan, with Israel reportedly encouraging Athens' involvement amid shared concerns over Turkey's expanding regional influence.
Australia continues to grieve following last week's Bondi Beach massacre, the nation's worst mass shooting since 1996. The attack on a Jewish festival that left 15 dead has prompted both federal and New South Wales governments to declare Sunday 'a Day of Reflection.' Dean Dwyer, writing for Harbingers Daily, poses the haunting question echoing through a grief-stricken nation: 'Why were all the warnings ignored?' At 6:47 PM local time—one week to the minute since the attack—Australians will observe a moment of silence.
As we mark the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the ancient words of the prophets resonate with renewed urgency. The convergence of geopolitical maneuvering around Damascus, seismic activity across the Pacific Rim, and the ongoing struggle to establish peace in Gaza reminds the discerning observer that we live in consequential times. The Netanyahu-Trump summit on December 29 may well determine whether the current fragile calm in the Middle East holds—or whether the region lurches toward another confrontation with Iran. Watch carefully.