The Middle East once again finds itself at the center of a crisis reminiscent of a biblical prophecy.
Developments in Israel are causing global upheaval, as the Netanyahu government appears determined to take steps that overturn decades-long balances, such as the annexation of areas of the West Bank.
Images from Jerusalem are shocking the Muslim world, sparking reactions from Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, while the United States struggles in vain to contain the flames.
Islam is “shaking” with anger, and the entire region seems to be moving toward a confrontation of unpredictable proportions — a clash that many now liken to the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy.
Tensions in Israel–U.S. relations
Tensions have arisen between Israel and the United States due to recent actions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also influenced by Turkey’s geopolitical ambitions.
Netanyahu strongly opposes Ankara’s participation in the international force planned to be deployed in the Gaza Strip, despite Washington’s contrary intentions.
At the same time, the U.S., under President Donald Trump, is exerting intense pressure for the implementation of a ceasefire and for peace negotiations in Gaza, with the participation of Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt.
Within this context, Washington continues to send high-ranking officials to Israel, with Vice President J.D. Vance being the latest to meet with Netanyahu to discuss the second phase of the “Trump Plan” for maintaining the truce and ensuring long-term peace in Gaza.
After the meeting, Vance stated that the peace process would be difficult but could pave the way for broader regional alliances that would strengthen Israel’s position in the Middle East.
For his part, Netanyahu said that the talks focused on the “next day” of Gaza – the creation of a civil government, security arrangements, and who would guarantee them.
“It won’t be easy, but it’s possible,” he noted, adding, “We are truly creating a peace plan and infrastructure.”
However, when asked about the possible participation of Turkey in the international security force, he responded sarcastically:
“I have a clear opinion. Do you want to guess what it is?”
This phrase was interpreted as an indirect but clear refusal.
The previous day, Vance had stated that the U.S. is working to form an international force in Gaza after the withdrawal of the Israeli army, mentioning Turkey and Indonesia among the potential participant countries.
Disagreements with Egypt and arms deals
Netanyahu’s confrontation with Turkey is not limited to Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister has repeatedly expressed his opposition to the sale of F-16 aircraft from the U.S. to Turkey, its reentry into the F-35 program, and the sale of Eurofighters.
At the same time, he approved the sale of an Israeli air-defense system to Greece and sent a similar one to Cyprus.
During a visit by Egyptian Intelligence Director Hassan Rassad to Israel, a strong disagreement arose with Netanyahu, as Cairo wants Turkey to participate in the international security force.
Netanyahu reportedly reacted by saying: “We cannot allow Turkish troops to set foot on our borders.”
The U.S. Seeks Alternative Allies
Seeing Israel’s opposition, Washington is looking for alternative countries — including Azerbaijan — willing to contribute troops to the international Gaza force.
According to American officials, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper recently visited Baku, where he met with President Ilham Aliyev and Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.
Although the official announcement from the Azerbaijani Presidential Palace did not mention Gaza, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted that Baku is considered an acceptable candidate for participation by all parties involved — the U.S., Israel, and Turkey.
Scandal over annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank
At the same time, the Israeli Knesset approved in a preliminary vote a bill for the annexation of illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank — a development that sparked a storm of reactions.
The bill passed with 25 votes in favor and 24 against, despite Netanyahu’s opposition, who described it as “a provocation by the opposition.”
The Likud Party withdrew MP Yuli Edelstein from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees for supporting the bill.
The measure is mainly symbolic, as it still requires three additional votes to become law.
President Trump, in a recent meeting with Muslim leaders at the White House, stated categorically that “he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.”
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the preliminary vote in the Knesset, stating:
“The move by the Israeli parliament toward annexing the occupied West Bank violates international law and is null and void.
Israel’s illegal faits accomplis on Palestinian land must not be allowed.
Turkey will continue to support the creation of a geographically unified, independent, and sovereign Palestinian state.”
Danger of collapse of the Al-Aqsa mosque
The Governorate of Jerusalem has warned of the danger of collapse of parts of the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to secret excavations being carried out by Israel in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The governorate’s advisor, Marouf Al-Rifai, stated that Israeli authorities are conducting extensive excavations beneath Al-Aqsa, connecting various colonial sites with underground tunnels.
These tunnels, many of which were old aqueducts, have been converted into museums and synagogues, undermining the structural stability of the mosque’s foundations.
Al-Rifai warned that the excavations “may cause the destruction of historic Palestinian monuments and destabilize the structure of Al-Aqsa,” emphasizing that these works “lack scientific basis and are purely politically motivated.”
He accused Israel of seeking to “impose control over holy sites and alter the identity of Jerusalem” as part of a long-term plan to “Judaize” the Old City.
It should be noted that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
Originally a small prayer house, it was rebuilt and expanded in 705 A.D., destroyed by an earthquake in 746, rebuilt in 780, partially collapsed again after another earthquake in 1033, and reconstructed in 1035 in the form it exists today.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also built on the Temple Mount, but is under Islamic administration.
On the other hand, according to interpretations of certain Biblical prophecies held by many religious Jews, the construction of the Third Temple in the Promised Land is the will of God.
The First Temple was built by Solomon in 957 B.C. and destroyed in 587 B.C. by the Babylonians.
The Second Temple, built in 516 B.C., was destroyed by the Romans in 70 B.C.
According to the Bible, both Temples were built on the Temple Mount, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, which is currently occupied by Israel.
As is evident, we stand at the brink of a clash between two worlds…
Provocative statements by Smotrich
At the same time, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich provoked a new wave of reactions by declaring at a conference that if Saudi Arabia demands the creation of a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization of relations, then “the Saudis can continue riding camels in the desert.”
“The bride in every regional deal is the State of Israel within its full borders, which will never accept the creation of a Palestinian state,” he said.
Referring to the withdrawal of the Shas Party from the governing coalition, he added that “the country needs governance” and called on Netanyahu “either to immediately resolve the issue of military conscription for the Haredim or to proceed to elections.”
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