How can we understand the strength of Israel in the context the approach of the onset of the Hour?

The portents of the Hour are not all of the same degree, rather some of them are minor and some are major. The major signs are those which, when the first one appears, the others will follow like beads falling from a broken string. But with regard to the minor signs, there is a long period of time between the first and the last of them. The sending of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was one of the minor signs of the Hour, not one of the major portents. 

It was narrated that Anas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I and the Hour have been sent like these two.” He said, And he held up his index and middle fingers together. 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6139; Muslim, 2951. 

Al-Qurtubi said: 

The first of the portents of the Hours is the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because he is the Prophet of the end of time. He has been sent and there will be no Prophet between him and the Resurrection. 

Al-Tadhkirah, p. 111 

With regard to the strength of Israel (the Jewish state), this is something that has happened to them by the will and decree of Allaah. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Indignity is put over them wherever they may be, except when under a covenant (of protection) from Allaah, and from men”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:112]

Allaah has given them power and respite, but that is only so that when He does seize them, He will seize them severely. 

It was narrated that Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah gives respite to the wrongdoer until, when He seizes him, He does not let him go.” Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe”

[Hood 11:102]

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4409; Muslim, 2583. 

At the time of the Mahdi and when ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) comes down, the Muslims’ victory over the Jews will be complete. 

It is proven (in the hadeeth) then when the leader of the Muslims, the Mahdi will come to lead them in praying Fajr, ‘Eesa ibn Maryam will come down to them, and the imam will step back so that ‘Eesa can come forward and lead the prayer, but ‘Eesa will put his hand on his back and say, “Go forward and lead the prayer, for the iqaamah was given for you.” So their imam will lead them in prayer, and when he has finished, then ‘Eesa will head towards the Dajjaal, with whom will be seventy thousand Jews. When the Dajjaal looks at him, he will melt like salt in water, and the Messiah ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) will catch up with him at the gate of Lod (which is a town near Jerusalem) and kill him. Then Allaah will cause the defeat the Jews, and there will be nothing that Allaah has created that a Jew hides behind, but Allaah will cause that thing to speak. Rocks, trees, walls and animals will all say, ‘O Muslim, O slave of Allaah, here is a Jew, come and kill him!’ – except for the box-thorn tree (al-gharqad), for it is one of their trees and will not speak.” 

If the Muslims want to defeat the Jews and all kaafirs, they have to turn back to Allaah and support His religion until Allaah grants them victory, for the Jews are too insignificant for words, but they took advantage of the fact that the Muslims have turned away from their religion. 

We ask Allaah to being the Muslims back to their religion and help them follow it properly.  

And Allaah knows best.