Are the events in Gaza signs of the end times?

Pars Today – An Iranian expert in Mahdism has suggested that while many signs of the End Times—such as oppressive rulers, famine, and war—have been realized in Gaza, Islamic narrations emphasize that the appearance of the promised savior (Imam Mahdi) will only occur when corruption has spread across the entire world.

Hojjat al-Islam Yousefi Rastgoo, an expert in Mahdism in Iran, stated:
“Many of the signs—such as the oppression of rulers, famine, and war—have manifested in Gaza. However, narrations emphasize that the reappearance of the Promised Savior of the End Times will occur only when corruption has spread throughout the entire world. Therefore, while the events in Gaza may help set the stage for the reappearance, specifying a time for it (tawqīt) is rejected.”

According to Pars Today, Hojjat al-Islam Yousefi Rastgoo said in an interview with IQNA:
“In Gaza, the occupation by the Zionist regime is a clear example of the dominance of evildoers — including the killing of civilians, destruction of homes, and a food blockade that has led to famine. On the other hand, there is also global moral corruption in the face of Gaza’s resistance.”

Yousefi stated that in the current circumstances, the duty of believers is to promote good and forbid evil, to expose the crimes being committed in Gaza, to resist the normalization of oppression, and to strengthen the spirit of active awaiting.
He quoted Imam Sadiq (pbuh) as saying: “Awaiting reappearance is itself a form of reappearance,” meaning that through righteous action, believers must help prepare the ground for the reappearance.

The Mahdism scholar further emphasized:
“Today, Gaza reflects many of the signs of the End Times — global oppression, the steadfast resistance of believers, and systemic corruption. However, these events do not necessarily indicate that the reappearance is imminent; rather, they serve as a warning for continuous readiness and adherence to divine duties.

As highlighted in the narrations, the reappearance will take place when the world is plunged into the height of darkness — and at that time, ‘Truth shall come, and falsehood shall vanish.’”

MG