I just read today where Pastor Tom McElmurry passed away one year ago tomorrow.
I hadn't hear that.  Didn't know if you knew him personally or had just posted an article from his site.
 
He had an article that explained why he believed that the Jews of Israel would retreat into the Negev when the enemy comes in from the North.  I've tried to find it on his site, but haven't been successful, yet.  They have greenhouses down there supplied with underground waters.
 
Randy Larson