Olivier Melnick: Hamas and Israel 2023: Connecting the Dots

As the 2023 Hamas–Israel war unfolds, Olivier Melnick sits down with journalist Bill Koenig to connect current events with Bible prophecy. Together they explore Ezekiel 38–39 (Gog & Magog), the timing of the Rapture, the Tribulation, regional alignments (Iran–Russia–Turkey), and what this crisis could mean for believers today. No date-setting—just a clear, Scripture-first discussion plus practical ways to pray for Israel and respond with hope.

Watch for:
• Prophetic context for the Hamas–Israel conflict
• How Gog & Magog might fit into today’s geopolitics
• Rapture vs. Tribulation timelines (pre-trib perspective)
• Encouragement and action steps for the Church

Hamas and Israel 2023: Connecting the Dots

Interview: Olivier Melnick with Bill Koenig on Israel, Prophecy, and Current Events

Olivier Melnick:
Hello, everybody! It’s so good to be back. I was on the road for a few days, but I’m back, and today I’m really excited. A dear friend of mine has agreed to come on my channel to help connect some of the dots on what’s happening in the Middle East with the Hamas–Israel war. Bill Koenig, welcome to the show.

Bill Koenig:
Thank you, Olivier. What a treat.

Olivier:
Bill, you and I have known each other for—what were we saying before the show—15-plus years? You’ve been a blessing to me. You’ve had your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world, especially in the Middle East, for quite a while now. Let’s start by telling people how to connect with you so I don’t forget. What’s your website?

Bill:
Our website is watch.org. We’ve been on the internet since 1996, posting news 365 days a year that’s biblically relevant.

Olivier:
Yes—and it’s full of good information. You also have a couple of books you’ve published. Tell our audience about those.

Bill:
I’ve published two books in Israel and one on Obama. My active book, Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel, is in its third revision—564 pages that document consequences to the United States and leaders who attempt to divide the covenant land of Israel. I also wrote Revealed: Obama’s Legacy. I was a White House correspondent for 20 years—two Bush terms, two Obama terms, and the Trump term—so I wrote a revealing book about what I saw during Obama’s eight years. A lot of what he did in the Middle East—especially the Iran nuclear deal and his negotiations regarding Israel—has had a dramatic impact, empowering Iran and contributing to where we are today.

Olivier:
I remember the first time I got my hands on Eye to Eye. I didn’t know you very well, and my first reaction was, “Really? Is he going to link all those things?” I was skeptical. But then I looked into it and thought, “Wow—this is undeniable.” I’m conservative; I don’t overreact. But you can’t deny those correlations.

Bill:
Absolutely. People like yourself, Chuck Missler, David Hocking, and others had the same initial reaction. I’d say, “Just watch what happens when we have a record-setting catastrophe in America—hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, 9/11, the Northridge earthquake in 1994—within 24 hours of us applying pressure on Israel to create an Arab state in Judea and Samaria.”

Olivier:
Thank you for calling it Judea and Samaria—not the “West Bank.” Those biblical details matter.

Bill:
Exactly. They’re very important, and often overlooked—even by friends of Israel.

Are We in a World War?

Olivier:
Let’s jump in. I’ve been monitoring and writing about antisemitism since 2000—it’s the bulk of what I do in ministry. In the last couple of years—and even months—it’s accelerated so fast. World events are converging, and there’s obvious prophetic significance. People have many questions about events still to come in the Bible. But before that: When do we officially declare that we’re in a “world war”? What constitutes an official declaration? Is it defined beforehand, or labeled after the fact?

Bill:
To be honest, I don’t think we’re there yet. If Russia began firing—possibly even at the United States—if China made a move on Taiwan (which the U.S. and international community have said they would defend), and if missiles start flying between Israel and Iran with heightened tension… if the war in Ukraine expanded in Europe—then we’d be close to a defined world war. In Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse speaks of wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. What’s significant right now is that the major players all have strong opinions on what’s happening in Israel—Russia (Putin and Lavrov) blaming the U.S. for the lack of peace, China coordinating with Russia, and the U.S. escalating support packages that further inflame tensions.

We’ve also moved two U.S. carrier groups—the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Eisenhower—into the Mediterranean. China moved six warships into the region. Iran’s foreign minister at the UN threatened consequences for the U.S. if we intensify involvement. Erdoğan has supported Hamas. Libya is weighing in. From a Gog–Magog perspective, the players named—Russia, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Libya, and former Soviet states in the Caucasus—are notable. The Bible also speaks of a 200-million-man army in the final period; only one country could achieve that.

Gog–Magog Timing

Olivier:
Do you see Gog–Magog before or after the Rapture?

Bill:
It’s a good debate among scholars. Many believe it’s before the Daniel 9:27 covenant or before the Rapture; others place it within the seven years. Mark Hitchcock, Tommy Ice, and Ron Rhodes argue for “before”; others differ. What seems imminent is Jeremiah 49:34–39—modern-day Elam (southern Iran), where nuclear facilities are likely located. Israel may have to act. If those facilities are struck, it could devastate Iran and spread the gospel (see v. 38). Isaiah 17:1—Damascus ceasing to be a city—could be connected. As for Gog–Magog, I lean toward it occurring later, when Israel is living in relative peace.

Olivier:
Right—that “at peace” element stands out. There’s a strong argument that Israel experiences a temporary (false) peace during the first half of the Tribulation, so Gog–Magog may occur then. Regardless of exact timing, the stage is being set faster than we imagined.

Bill:
Agreed. If Iran is dealt with, Hamas and Hezbollah lose their primary backer. The Middle East would be more peaceful. Sunni Arab countries—especially after the 2015 Iran deal—drew closer to Israel for intelligence and security. Ironically, the Iran deal improved Israel’s relations with some Arab neighbors who feared a nuclear Iran. If Iran’s nuclear program is hit hard, Israel’s “unwalled” safety (conceptually) becomes more plausible for a season.

Will Israel Strike Iran?

Olivier:
Do you think Israel will strike Iran soon?

Bill:
Possibly. In 2016, Ambassadors James Jeffrey and Ryan Crocker suggested Israel was close to a red line as Russian and Iranian forces neared Israel’s northern border. Israel has historically been preemptive—the Six-Day War is a classic example. There is a red line, but we don’t know exactly where. The IDF understands Hezbollah’s capabilities—150,000+ rockets and, now, thousands of precision-guided missiles. In 2019, IDF briefings emphasized they know where many are stored (often in civilian buildings). If it comes down to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa’s survival, Israel will act decisively. They have plans for Hezbollah and Iran. The U.S. carrier groups were positioned to deter Iran and Hezbollah from joining the conflict.

Why the Delay Entering Gaza?

Olivier:
Let’s look at Gaza. Wasn’t the red line crossed on October 7? What’s taking Israel so long to go in? Are they being held back by the U.S.? I understand the hostage issue, but why the delay? I heard they went in briefly and pulled back.

Bill:
A few reasons. First, the hope of hostage releases—there’s an international push for that. Second, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly called on Israel not to go in. Third, the U.S. put pressure on Netanyahu to delay while we moved additional weapons, Iron Dome batteries, and force protection for U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq. We’ve intercepted missiles from Yemen and drones elsewhere; U.S. troops have been injured in Syria and Iraq. The official rationale is to “finish staging” defenses and logistics.

Meanwhile, international media pressure mounts. The horror of October 7 dominated for several days, but as buildings in Gaza are destroyed and casualties mount—much of the press shifts to blaming Israel. That pressure is enormous.

“Why Is the World Rooting for Hamas?”

Olivier:
It boggles my mind. It’s like people are cheering for Hitler. Why?

Bill:
You’re one of the world’s leading voices on antisemitism, and you know the answer. Ron Dermer once told us that the antisemitic root in Europe had only gone underground; it never died. It’s resurfacing now. Unfortunately, much of the media—BBC, CNN, The New York Times, etc.—often takes an anti-Israel stance. Many are now saying the only solution is the two-state plan. But the chant “From the river to the sea” means no Jews. That’s not two states—that’s one state without Israel.

The Spiritual Aspect of Antisemitism

Olivier:
Exactly. The media misses the spiritual dimension of this war between good and evil. I define antisemitism as the satanic and irrational hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Satan wants Israel destroyed because he knows that when the Jewish people call on Yeshua—“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”—Messiah returns. That sets the stage for Armageddon and ends Satan’s career. He’s not eager for retirement.

I have around 500 books on the Holocaust and antisemitism. Not one addresses the spiritual root. They’re valuable historically, but if you miss the spiritual connection, you won’t understand or fight antisemitism properly.

Bill:
I remember President George W. Bush speaking of a battle between good and evil. EU leaders at the time were uncomfortable with that framing. That mindset—avoiding moral categories—remains prevalent.

Olivier:
Caroline Glick recently did an excellent half-hour video on the battle between good and evil. The West values life. Radical Islam glorifies death. We’re not speaking the same moral language.

The UN and Guterres

Olivier:
What are your thoughts on UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s speech? He briefly criticized Hamas, then spent most of the time implying moral equivalence and faulting Israel. Nothing new for the UN, but people are calling for his resignation.

Bill:
I agree with the calls to resign. It’s absurd. The UN overwhelmingly passes castigating resolutions against Israel every year. They also give platforms to Iranian leaders who call for eliminating “the Great Satan” and “the Little Satan.” That should never happen. The UN originally supported a Jewish state in 1947–48; the next day five Arab states attacked. Giving a global microphone to hatred undermines the UN’s credibility.

Are There Hamas/Hezbollah Operatives in the U.S.?

Olivier:
Given our open southern border, are we at risk of another 9/11?

Bill:
It’s been a concern since 2001. People on terror watchlists have been apprehended, and surely some have slipped through. There are decent, peace-loving Arabs and Iranians here—many I’ve worked with in the press corps—but it only takes a few. There are likely small cells waiting for a call to jihad. Hamas tried to stir that up recently; nothing significant happened here. The FBI and DOJ are alert. I don’t sense something imminent, but a coordinated “day of terror” in major cities is plausible at some point. Our cities are more prepared than before, but vigilance is essential.

2024 U.S. Election

Olivier:
Last question: Will Trump come back in 2024? I’ve lost faith in our electoral system. Can we have a fair election?

Bill:
He wants to come back—and in some ways needs to, given the cases against him. Much is being done at the precinct level to improve election integrity—poll watchers, legal teams on call, tighter procedures. It’s not perfect, but there’s progress. Concerns about voting machines remain; lawsuits have made discussion difficult. The key is doing everything possible to ensure a fair, transparent process.

Conclusion: God Is in Control

Olivier:
At the end of the day—God is still in control. Nothing escapes His attention. From a human perspective, the world looks out of control, spiraling downward. But none of this surprises Him. He allowed Israel to have Saul as king; He rules over history. For anyone watching who wants an update on Israel—good. But the most important question is: What is your relationship with the God of the universe? If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?

Yeshua—Jesus—died for your sins. No matter what happens in the world, He is in control, and He is coming back. We’re all eternal; the question is our destination. Do nothing, and you end up separated from God forever. Choose to follow Yeshua and accept His free gift of salvation, and you’ll spend eternity in God’s presence. If you’re not yet a child of God, pray—acknowledging you can’t save yourself—and receive His free gift. That decision is more important than anything we discussed today.

Bill:
You’re absolutely right. We’re living in one of the most important times in biblical history. God is sovereign. From Genesis to Revelation—27% of the Bible is prophecy—and we are literally living in the final days according to Scripture. The only hope for Israelis, Palestinians, and the world is salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Olivier:
For us as believers, it’s exciting—we know the end of the story, and we know we’re part of it. For those who don’t know the Lord, it’s scary. The world is without hope—but we have the hope of Yeshua.

Before we close, Bill, remind people how to find you.

Bill:
Our website is watch.org—biblically relevant news, 365 days a year. My books Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel and Revealed: Obama’s Legacy are also available there.

Olivier:
Bill, thank you so much for coming on the show. You’re a blessing. I appreciate how you connect the dots. I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks at the conference we’re doing together at Pastor Bron Hough’s church in Bakersfield, and then at the Pre-Trib conference.

Bill:
Absolutely. I’ll be doing the annual update on domestic and international developments.

Olivier:
Wonderful. God bless you, my friend. And to all of you—Shalom, and until next time, God bless.