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Crisis Brings Israelis Together in Prayer

June 22, 2014

Bodies of 3 Kidnapped Teens Found

Our hearts go out to the nation of Israel and especially the families of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali, whose bodies were discovered on Monday (Jun 30). Cry out to the Lord for comfort and strength for those who are grieving. Ask for God’s wisdom and guidance for Israel’s leaders as they determine their response to this horrific act of violence.

“Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” Psalm 119:49–50

Focus: to Bring Our Boys Home

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 22 June 2014), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:

“Over the weekend I met with the parents of the abducted youths. I promised them that we are doing, and will do, everything to bring the abducted boys home safely. We are in the midst of a continuing and focused effort to—first of all—bring the boys home. This effort entails a certain friction with the civilian population in Judea and Samaria; we have no intention of deliberately harming anyone but our forces are acting as necessary for self-defense and from time to time there are victims or casualties on the Palestinian side as a result of the self-defense actions of our soldiers.

“We are focusing on returning the abductees, on finding the kidnappers and on striking at the organization to which they belong. We have unequivocal proof that this is Hamas. We are sharing this proof and information to this effect with several countries. Soon this information will be made public. I think that at that time Abu Mazen’s remarks in Saudi Arabia will be put to the test in practice. His remarks will be tested not only by actions to return the boys home but by his willingness to dissolve the unity government with Hamas, which abducted the youths and calls for the destruction of Israel.”

Excerpts of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks on June 22, 2013)

(Bring Back Our Boys—Eyal, Naftali and Gilad

On Thursday night (12 June), three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. The three Israeli teenagers, all yeshiva students, were last seen late Thursday night in the area of Gush Etzion. Israel holds the Palestinian Authority, headed by President Abbas, responsible for the fate of the kidnapped teens and for terrorist activity emanating from the areas under its control.

<img style=”height: auto; max-width: 100%; display: block; -webkit-user-drag: none;” title=”Eyal Yifrah (19)
Photo credit: Isranet” src=”//static.bridgesforpeace.com/img/made/images/content/appeal/Prayer_Updt_Yifrach_isranet_126_165_80.jpg” alt=”” width=”126″ height=”165″> Eyal Yifrah (19) (Photo credit: Isranet)

Eyal Yifrah, 19, is the eldest of seven siblings. He chose to complete his last year of high school in a city with a low socio-economic status, through a program targeted at developing such towns. His family describes him as a vital, energetic, sports-loving boy. He is a youth counselor, who loves to travel and play tennis. While Gilad Shalit was in captivity, kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organization, Eyal made sure to send Facebook message to raise awareness to the fact that Gilad had not seen his parents for five years.

<img style=”height: auto; max-width: 100%; display: block; -webkit-user-drag: none;” title=”Naftali Frenkel (16)
Photo credit: Isranet” src=”//static.bridgesforpeace.com/img/made/images/content/appeal/PrayerUpdt__Frenkel_isranet__126_165_80.jpg” alt=”” width=”126″ height=”165″> Naftali Frenkel (16)
Photo credit: Isranet

Naftali Frenkel, 16 years old, is an American citizen. He is the second eldest of seven children. He loves to play basketball and plays the guitar. Naftali is a responsible and poised young boy. He is a gifted student, with a talent for school and academia. Naftali was on his way home from school – and was kidnapped by the Hamas terror organization before he could reach his family.

<img style=”height: auto; max-width: 100%; display: block; -webkit-user-drag: none;” title=”Gilad Shaar (16)
Photo credit: Isranet” src=”//static.bridgesforpeace.com/img/made/images/content/appeal/PrayerUpdt__Shaar_isranet__127_165_80.jpg” alt=”” width=”127″ height=”165″> Gilad Shaar (16)
Photo credit: Isranet

Gilad Sha’er, 16 years old, is very close to his siblings. He loves to read, listen to music, study hard and spend time with his grandparents. He volunteers to help others, is a youth counselor and works with children. He is much loved by his peers and teachers. He always helps around the house and loves to bake. His sisters are hoping he comes back home again, to bake a new cake or muffin, like he always does.

Press release by Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 18, 2014

 Israeli Students Still Missing

Wednesday, June 18, is the sixth day since three Israeli yeshiva students were kidnapped in the Gush Etzion region of Israel. Thousands of IDF soldiers and police have been searching door-to-door in the city of Hebron and other areas of Judea and Samaria.

On Tuesday (Jun 17), five days after the kidnapping, the European Union issued a statement condemning the act. Egypt’s President al-Sisi has been cooperating with Israel since the early part of the investigation.

Over 200 arrests have been made and illegal weapons confiscated as part of “Operation Bring Back Our Brothers.” As of this writing, the boys have not yet been found. The nation of Israel has united in prayer for the safe return of the kidnap victims.

Please join us at Bridges for Peace as we fervently pray for the safety and release of Gilad Shaar (16), Naftali Frenkel (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19).

Search for Missing Boys Enters Fifth Day

Excerpts of article by Yoav Zitun, Ynetnews, June 17, 2014

Operation Bring Back Our Brothers is entering its fifth day Tuesday [Jun 17], with over 200 Palestinians arrested, 41 of which overnight, as the search for Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel continues.

The three teens were apparently kidnapped Thursday night and no group or organization has made any claims of responsibility for the abduction. The working conclusion is that Hamas operatives kidnapped the teens though it is unclear if the organization’s leadership sanctioned the attack.

A senior IDF source said forces were now focusing their efforts on “cleaning house” in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] city of Nablus, which they described “the terror capital.”

According to the senior official, roughly a thousand Nahal Brigade soldiers were operating at the Balata refugee camp and town of Awarta, and weapons, explosives, guns and ammunition were found.

“The IDF does not feel as if the hourglass is running out of time,” the source said, stressing that the IDF would “continue to deliver a strong blow to Hamas and strike down anything that is related to Hamas.”When three teenagers: Eyal Yifrach, 19, Naftali Frenkel, 16, and Gilad Sha’ar, 16, were kidnapped by terrorists the country sprang into action. The army, police and security forces mobilized to gather intelligence, to search and hopefully to rescue them. The Prime Minister put pressure on Palestinian President, Mahmud Abbas.

Crisis Brings Israelis Together in Prayer

The hearts of the entire country were moved for the teens and their families. A cry went out for people to gather at the Western Wall and pray. They came by the thousands. As of this writing the boys remain in captivity. We ask you to join with the nation of Israel and ask God to bring them home without harm.

Many have been praying that just like the God of Israel delivered three Hebrew boys from a fiery furnace in the book of Daniel, that He deliver these three Hebrew boys in our time. May the world know that the God of Israel is mighty and acts on behalf of His children today.

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO
Editor in Chief

Photo Credit: Click on photo to see photo credit