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Every week, we post seven to ten news stories from Israel with a suggested prayer focus and scripture for each one, guiding readers how to pray for Israel’s most urgent needs. This Prayer Update is also sent to over 18,000 subscribers every Friday by e-mail. Sign up HERE if you would like to receive this Prayer Update by e-mail.
Israel: No Withdrawal from Lebanon Unless Lebanese Government Takes Action against Hezbollah
by Itamar Eichner, Yoav Zitun and Iskander Khabibulin ~ Ynetnews
IDF remains active in southern Lebanon, destroying Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure (illustrative).
Thursday, 9 January 2025 | Israeli officials affirmed Wednesday that the military would not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon unless the Lebanese Army fulfills its obligations under a ceasefire agreement.
A key provision of the accord requires Hezbollah’s removal from south of the Litani River, a condition that remains unmet.
Hezbollah has reportedly expressed willingness to return to southern Lebanon unarmed, but Israel has rejected this, insisting on full compliance with the agreement. The deal also prohibits the rebuilding of buildings previously used for terrorist activities. Israeli officials have clarified that such sites, deemed “terrorist infrastructure,” will not be restored.
Concerns over the Lebanese Army’s effectiveness were raised during a Security Cabinet meeting. “They are weak,” an Israeli official said, adding that Christian-led units take action, whereas those led by Shia commanders often cooperate with Hezbollah. While the US-led enforcement mechanism is seen as sound, its reliance on the Lebanese Army has proven less effective than anticipated.
Despite these challenges, senior officials stressed that breaking the ceasefire agreement is not Israel’s objective. “We don’t want this scenario but must be ready,” said an Israeli official, noting the IDF’s operational plans to expand maneuvers if the agreement collapses. Ensuring the safety of returning residents, they said, remains a top priority.
Border Disputes and Strategic Positions
Negotiations over contested border points continue to create tension. Lebanon has raised claims to 13 specific locations, while Israel has sought adjustments of its own. According to Lebanon’s pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar newspaper, the ceasefire oversight committee approved the IDF’s continued presence at three strategic positions in southern Lebanon beyond the agreement’s 60-day framework.
The report identified the sites as Labbouneh Forest near Israel’s western Galilee, Jabal Balat opposite the Israeli border towns of Shtula and Zar’it, and Tallat al-Hamams overlooking Metula.
Meanwhile, the IDF remains active in southern Lebanon. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli forces destroyed five weapons storage facilities, according to a military spokesperson. Troops from the 300th Brigade’s Combat Team under the 146th Division continue operations aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure while adhering to the ceasefire terms.
Israel’s approach reflects a balance between upholding the agreement and safeguarding its security. Officials emphasized that any withdrawal is contingent on strict adherence to the ceasefire provisions by all parties involved.
Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Pray for Israel’s political and military leaders as they navigate the working out of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. Pray specifically for the head of the IDF’s Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, as he leads troops in this area, as well as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, as Israel seeks balance between upholding the terms of the ceasefire agreement and the security of the nation. Pray for the safety of the IDF troops in Lebanon as well as in Gaza.
Scripture
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
Eight Wounded, Three Killed, in Terror Attack in Samaria
by Joshua Marks ~ JNS
Israeli soldiers at the scene of a terrorist attack adjacent to Al Funduq in northern Samaria on January 6, 2025.
Monday, 6 January 2025 | Three people were killed and eight wounded in a shooting on Monday morning next to the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq, located close to Kedumim in northern Samaria, according to the Magen David Adom [MDA] emergency medical service.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that terrorists had opened fire at a civilian bus and vehicles on Route 55.
MDA paramedics pronounced the deaths of two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s. Police later identified the man as Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, 35, a father of two, who served as an investigator at the Ariel police station.
A 63-year-old man, the driver of the bus, was listed by MDA as being in serious condition. Among the bus passengers, seven were injured. This included two women, aged around 60 and 70, who were listed in moderate condition. The remaining passengers suffered minor injuries.
They were evacuated to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba and Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.
“As a result of the attack, a number of civilians were injured to varying degrees and are currently receiving medical treatment,” the IDF said, adding that security forces were pursuing the gunmen, setting up roadblocks and encircling several towns in the area.
Initial reports held that two gunmen in a white vehicle fired on two vehicles and a bus, and that the intensive search for the terrorists was ongoing, including efforts from both the air and the ground.
Citing a security source, Army Radio later reported that three terrorists carried out the shooting attack.
“My wife and I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the three people who were murdered in the terrible attack this morning, and wishes for a full recovery to those who were wounded,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the attack.
“We will find the abhorrent murderers and settle accounts with them and with all those who aided them. No one will get away,” he added.
“Anyone who seeks to end the war in Gaza [via such attacks] will receive a war in Judea and Samaria,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized that terror in Judea and Samaria, Gaza and Iran is interconnected and must be decisively defeated.
“The concept is still here, and it is costing precious blood,” he tweeted.
“Anyone who relies on the Palestinian Authority to secure the safety of Israeli citizens is waking up to a morning where terrorists are again slaughtering Jewish residents. Funduk, Nablus and Jenin must look like Jabalia, so that Kfar Saba does not, God forbid, become Gaza,” he wrote.
“I demand that the prime minister urgently convene the Cabinet today for a discussion on changing the strategy and for a real elimination of terror in Judea and Samaria,” Smotrich concluded.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said after the attack: “We demand that the government and senior IDF leadership break away from the existing approach towards the Palestinian Authority, confiscate all illegal weapons, and start fighting Abu Mazen (P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas), who orchestrates this terror. The blood of our brothers spilled here on the road cries out, and these attacks can be prevented. We demand security.”
Israeli authorities aim to start construction of a road to bypass Al-Funduq in the coming weeks, the Samaria Regional Council said on Thursday.
The first phase of the bypass road includes the western section of the route towards the city of Karnei Shomron.
“The Al-Funduq bypass road is part of the revolution of bypass roads in Samaria,” Dagan explained in a statement. “The Huwara bypass, the Al-Lubban bypass, the Al-Arub bypass and now here in Al-Funduq. This is a major route through which hundreds of thousands pass every week, and this road will significantly improve security and the quality of life.
“Our answer to heinous terrorism is the building of the land,” the local leader continued. “We will strengthen security here on this road, we will continue to develop the settlement [of Judea and Samaria], and with God’s help, together we will reach a million residents in Samaria.”
The new road around Al-Funduq was approved by the Israel Defense Forces as part of the “lessons learned” after the Feburary 26, 2023, terrorist murder of brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv in a shooting attack on the part of Route 60 that passed through the Samaria village of Huwara, near Nablus.
Photo Credit: IDF/jns.org
Prayer Focus
Pray for the comfort of the families who lost loved ones and complete recovery for the wounded. Pray for the quick construction of bypass roads around radical Arab communities so that the half a million Jewish residents of the area can live without the fear of attack as they go about their daily lives. Give thanks for the determination of these residents to build the land that is such an integral part of God’s covenant promise to Abraham.
Scripture
Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Iranian General Admits: Islamic Republic ‘Defeated Very Badly’ in Syria
by Ynetnews
Iranian Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati admitted in a recording, “We [Iran] were defeated and defeated very badly” (illustrative).
“I don’t consider losing Syria something to be proud of,” said Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati according to an audio recording of remarks delivered the remarks during a speech at a Tehran mosque, which was later disseminated through Iranian media. “We were defeated, and defeated very badly, we took a very big blow and it’s been very difficult.”
Esbati, who coordinated Iranian military operations in Syria and liaised with both Syrian and Russian officials, described the fall of Damascus as a strategic blow. He further criticized Iran’s relationship with ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad, citing strained ties due to Assad’s rejection of Tehran’s proposals to allow Iranian-backed militias to open a front against Israel from Syrian territory.
Esbati accused Russia, a key ally of both Iran and Assad, of undermining Iranian efforts. He claimed Russian forces misled Tehran by bombing open fields instead of rebel strongholds and deactivating radar systems when Israeli forces targeted Iranian assets in Syria.
The general also revealed that Iran had presented Assad with “comprehensive military plans” to utilize its forces in Syria for attacks on Israel. However, he noted that Assad’s refusal to cooperate contributed to the collapse of his regime. Esbati said that he was on the last Iranian flight out of Damascus the night before the capital fell to rebel forces.
During his speech, Esbati addressed audience questions, including whether Iran plans further retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He confirmed that April and October missile attacks on Israel were part of Iran’s response but added that a third strike was unrealistic given current circumstances.
Esbati vowed to mobilize resistance against the new Syrian leadership under Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
“We can activate all the networks we have worked with over the years,” he said. “We can activate the social layers that our guys lived among for years; we can be active in social media and we can form resistance cells.”
He added, “Now we can operate there as we do in other international arenas, and we have already started.”
However, a senior IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] official told the Times that these ambitions appear more aspirational than practical.
Esbati attributed the collapse of Assad’s regime to corruption, political repression, economic hardship and inadequate public services, including electricity and fuel shortages. He claimed Iran had repeatedly warned Assad to implement reforms, which were ignored.
When questioned about Iran’s reluctance to strike US military bases in the Middle East, Esbati cited the risk of significant retaliation from the United States and its allies. He admitted that Iran’s simpler missiles are incapable of penetrating advanced US defense systems, limiting Tehran’s ability to escalate.
Despite admitting to severe setbacks, Esbati maintained that Iran and its allies still hold significant influence in the region. He suggested that chaos in Syria could ultimately benefit Iran by creating opportunities for greater leverage.
Photo Credit: Aghiltohidian/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Continue to pray for the weakening and downfall of the Iranian government, which seeks the annihilation of Israel as well as Western democracies. Pray that any Iranian or Russian plans to rebuild relationships in Syria will be brought to nothing and the evolving Syrian government will bring peace to its citizens rather than increased instability in the region.
Scripture
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Over 10,000 Antisemitic Incidents in US Alone: ‘World is Normalizing Antisemitism’
by Itamar Eichner ~ Ynetnews
A supporter takes a stand for Israel against several anti-Israel protesters in Washington, DC
Wednesday, 8 January 2025 | More than 10,000 antisemitic incidents have been documented in the United States since Hamas’s terror attack on October 7, marking the highest number ever recorded over such a short period since data tracking began in 1979. This alarming figure was presented during a session of the Knesset’s [Parliament] Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora [the Jewish population outside Israel] Affairs.
Of the incidents, 8,015 involved verbal or written harassment. Another 1,840 cases were acts of vandalism, and over 150 were physical assaults. At least 1,200 incidents occurred on university campuses, while more than 2,000 targeted Jewish institutions such as synagogues and community centers. Additionally, over 3,000 incidents took place during anti-Israel rallies, many of which included explicit support for terrorist groups.
Dr. Raheli Baratz, head of the Department for Combating Antisemitism at the World Zionist Organization, compared the current state of antisemitism to the 1930s. “Today’s situation is worse. News of a synagogue burning in Australia doesn’t even make headlines. Some governments are enacting antisemitic legislation, which should deeply alarm both Israel and the Jewish diaspora,” she said.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, also addressed the Knesset. “Since the war began, we’ve seen a more than 200% increase in antisemitic events. Antisemitism today is worse than anything we’ve witnessed in recent generations. The media and social networks have become a battleground, and the fight for global public opinion is as crucial as Israel’s battles in Lebanon or Syria,” he warned.
Greenblatt called for a shift in strategy, urging Israel to invest more resources and adopt innovative tactics to combat antisemitism. “To succeed, we must work together. We don’t need to agree on everything, but we must collaborate. Regardless of where we live or pray, the Jewish people share a common destiny,” he told the lawmakers.
Israel Urged to Take Action
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli highlighted Iran’s role in spreading antisemitism online and the influence of Gulf States that back Muslim Brotherhood ideologies. “Extremist fringes in the US are expanding their support for antisemitism, and this should concern us all. We’ve established a command center that recently provided intelligence on antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam. Fighting antisemitism is a full-scale war,” he said.
Chikli emphasized the importance of strengthening Jewish identity as a means to combat antisemitism. “Without a strong Jewish identity, the fight against antisemitism is unwinnable,” he added.
Ruth Cohen Dar, head of the Foreign Ministry’s department for combating antisemitism and preserving Holocaust memory, stressed the role of digital platforms in spreading hate. “The digital space and campuses have become hubs for inciting hatred against Jews and Israelis. The fight against antisemitism requires global alliances and diplomatic tools,” she said.
Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization, called on governments worldwide to prioritize the safety of Jewish communities. “Governments are not doing enough to prevent antisemitism. We need action on multiple fronts: education, legislation and enforcement,” he said.
Hagoel also highlighted the recent wave of immigration to Israel, with over 35,000 Jews moving to the country since the war began. “A strong Israel means a strong Jewish people. We must encourage aliyah [immigration to Israel] and support Jewish communities globally with security measures,” he added.
Rising Fear Among Diaspora Jews
Jamie Geller, CMO of the Aish organization, described the growing fear among Jews in the diaspora. “Seventy percent of American Jews are unaffiliated with any organization, leaving them vulnerable to antisemitism. Education must be a central part of this fight,” she said.
Moshe Chaim Davis, an advisor to New York’s mayor, shared alarming statistics about his city. “There were over 3,000 antisemitic incidents in New York last year. The mayor sees himself as a modern-day Maccabee. I walk the streets of New York proudly wearing my kippah and look forward to collaborative efforts to combat antisemitism worldwide.”
Committee Chair Oded Forer concluded the session by emphasizing the dire state of global antisemitism. “Since the war began, antisemitism has surged by hundreds of percent globally. Diaspora Jews live in fear, often forced to hide their identities. Social media is rife with antisemitic rhetoric and denial of the October 7 massacre, yet there’s no significant enforcement or deterrence,” Forer said.
Forer called on Israel and other nations to classify Zionism as a protected value on US campuses, labeling this mission a global priority.
Photo Credit: Ted Eytan/Flickr/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Proclaim the Word of God, which clearly says He has chosen the Jewish people as His special treasure, no matter what the voices of the world may claim. Pray for opportunities in your sphere of influence to speak out against antisemitism. Pray also for opportunities to encourage Jewish friends or members of your community, letting them know that Bible-believing Christians stand with them and they are not alone.
Scripture
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.
Parents: Hamas Video of Hostage Daughter ‘Has Torn Our Hearts to Pieces’
by Joshua Spurlock ~ Mideast Update
Released video of Israeli hostage Liri Albag
Monday, 6 January 2025 | Hamas published a video of hostage Liri Albag on Saturday in another psychological attack, with Albag’s family lamenting the mental state of their daughter seen in the video. “[The] video has torn our hearts to pieces,” said Albag’s family in a statement published to the Bring Them Home Now feed on X (formerly Twitter. “This is not the daughter and sister we know. She is not well—her severe psychological distress is evident.”
Hamas kidnapped Liri Albag and 250 other hostages in the terror massacre attack on October 7, 2023. The Gaza terror group has released over 100 hostages in deals with Israel, while Israel has rescued some hostages alive and recovered the bodies of others. 100 hostages are still in Gaza, including those living and confirmed dead and four previously taken by Hamas.
In the Times of Israel report on the Albag video it was noted that though there was no date, the 19-year-old Israeli surveillance soldier does reference being held for more than 450 days, which would place the video sometime last week. The Times adhered to the standard Israeli media approach of not publishing the video at the request of the family.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Albag’s parents Shira and Eli after the video was released by Hamas. The Israeli press release on the conversation called the video “an important and moving sign of life.”
“[Netanyahu] told the family that he identifies with the torment that Liri, her family and all of the hostages and their families, have been enduring,” said the statement.
“…The Prime Minister reiterated that whoever dares to harm our hostages—will pay the price.”
That warning comes after United States President Donald Trump issued a warning of his own ahead of his return to office in two weeks—a warning highlighted by the Bring Them Home Now volunteer group that represents the family and friends of the hostages held in Gaza.
“We’re counting down the days until President Trump takes office. He has stated more than once that there will be ‘all hell to pay’ if the hostages are not released before that day. His resolve and determination are not something anyone should test,” said Bring Them Home Now on X. “We pray it never comes to that, and we hope this deal will be finalized before time runs out. We firmly believe this deal can bring them all home—together.”
Israel and Hamas have held on-again-off-again negotiations to release the hostages for over a year, with it unclear if the Palestinian terror group is negotiating in good faith or just to prolong the pain caused by the kidnappings.
Albag’s father Eli, in a follow-up statement by the parents also published to the Bring Them Home Now X feed, called the video of his daugher “difficult to watch. This isn’t the Liri we know.”
In the same post, Albag’s mother, Shira, said to her daughter, “Believe in this, we aren’t giving up, don’t you give up either there, keep fighting and surviving. You’re strong and you’re capable. We’re here fighting for you. I love you so much and miss you terribly and am waiting to hug you.”
Israeli President Isaaz Herzog also spoke with Shira and Eli Albag after the video release. An Israeli press release noted that Herzog “sought to offer them strength and support after receiving the deeply upsetting video, which was also a sign of life after such an extended period.”
Describing the conversation “emotional and painful,” the statement said Herzog “reiterated that the Israeli representatives currently conducting negotiations must persist and remain at the negotiating table until all 100 hostages are returned home.”
Netanyahu echoed that in his own words to the Albag parents, as he “promised that Israel would continue to work relentlessly to bring Liri and all the hostages back home and that the efforts are continuing, including at the present.”
Source: (This article was originally published by the Mideast Update on January 5, 2025. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today.)
Photo Credit: Screenshot/Hamas video published January 4, 2025
Prayer Focus
Continue to cry out to God on behalf of the hostages who remain in captivity. Remember the families of the hostages—mothers, fathers, wives, children and grandchildren—as they have all undergone unbelievable torment during the past 15 months. Cry out to God on their behalf, asking for a miraculous release of the living hostages and a return of the bodies of those who have been killed while in captivity. Pray that the world, which mainly has remained silent, will see God’s power and His hand at work.
Scripture
Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war.
Israel Prepares for Trump’s Return and a Joint Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
by Itamar Eichner ~ Ynetnews
President-elect US President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Wednesday, 8 January 2025 | The deputy commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, landed in Israel last week for a visit and met with the deputy chief of staff, Major General Amir Baram. The parties discussed shipments of critical weapons that the outgoing Biden administration has delayed and improving readiness for a possible joint attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The IDF Spokesperson reported that Baram and Cooper visited a number of Israeli Air Force bases, where a review of joint operational operations took place. “In addition, a joint discussion was held regarding the threats from Yemen and cooperation with the US military,” the IDF spokesman reported.
Trump did not rule out the possibility that he would order an attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities or support such an attack by Israel. At a press conference about three weeks ago, the president-elect was asked about a possible preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports that his team was considering such a step, and replied that he does not rule out any action.
Tehran is preparing for Trump’s return to the White House, and amid Israeli threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared about two weeks ago that “2025 will be an important year in terms of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
Araghchi made the remarks after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. He did not mention Donald Trump or elaborate on the significance of 2025. It is possible that his remarks were related to Trump’s return, and Iranian fears that his entry into the White House would strengthen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the latest quarterly report published by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] in November, Iran has already accumulated a fairly significant amount of 60% enriched uranium, an amount that is enough for four nuclear bombs. According to the report, as of October 26, the amount of uranium enriched to this level stands at 182.3 kilograms [401.9 lb.]—an increase of 17.6 kilograms [38.8 lb.] since August.
In order for uranium to be used to produce nuclear weapons, it must be enriched to a level of 90%, but nuclear scientists explain that the path from 60% to 90% is quite short and is considered a “technical” step which can be done in a few days or weeks.
Israel and the US are discussing the Biden administration’s delayed weapons shipment, which includes 1,700 heavy bombs, 134 D9 Caterpillar bulldozers, and additional weapons. The IDF is already preparing to target Iran’s nuclear facilities by improving readiness for a possible joint attack with the US.
The use of these bulldozers by the IDF led to major internal criticism in the US, protests and tremendous pressure on the Biden administration which gave in and froze the shipment. An examination conducted by Ynetnews in November revealed that dozens of IDF D9 bulldozers require maintenance. These bulldozers were also needed in southern Lebanon.
“At the height of the fighting in Gaza, about a year ago, battalion commanders ‘fought’ over D9 bulldozers, making it necessary to carry out maintenance on them,” said an IDF commander in November. It is difficult to officially and directly link the deadly results of the raid in Jabaliya in October and November, and the 21 fighters killed in about a month, many from IEDs, to the dire need for D9 bulldozers.
In these operations, the bulldozers are usually the first to lead the combat teams, safely clearing “dirty” areas from explosives that are set to explode and harm infantry and armored soldiers. At the same time, it is clear this tool is not only operationally effective against tunnels and in built-up areas, but also protects soldiers’ lives.
The US is still freezing a shipment of about 1,300 bombs for the Israeli Air Force, which the defense establishment has already purchased from Boeing—in shekels and not in aid dollars—weighing close to a ton per bomb, on the similar claim that the IDF could harm the civilian Gazan population with them. Half of this shipment, which was frozen about six months ago by the administration and caused a stir, has reached the IDF, but about half is still stuck in warehouses in the US In addition, the defense establishment currently rents engineering tools for forces in the field from private contractors.
Photo Credit: US Embassy Tel Aviv/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Continue to pray for Israel’s leaders to receive wisdom from God as preparations are made for the relationship with a new administration in the United States. Pray especially for the wisdom to know how and when to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. Pray that Israel will not place its hope and faith in any world power, including the US, but in God alone.
Scripture
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Captured Hamas Terrorist Admits Terror Group Turns Gaza Hospitals into Terror Bases
by Yoav Zitun ~ Ynetnews
Hamas terrorists have continually used hospitals as ‘terror bases’ to store weapons and carry out operations against the IDF.
Wednesday, 8 January 2025 | A captured Hamas terrorist who was employed at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya said the facility was used by the terror group as a command center, a launch pad for attacks and a point for the distribution of arms to Hamas fighters.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit published on Tuesday a clip of the interrogation of the terrorist, a 21-year-old cleaner at the hospital who was a member of the Nukhbah force since he joined the terror group in 2021.
The IDF arrested some 240 individuals, the largest number of terrorists caught in one location, in the hospital compound and shut it down.
“They believe the hospital is a safe haven for them because the military cannot directly target it with an F-16 missile or destroy the building since there are civilians and patients there,” said 21-year-old Anas Muhammad Faiz Al-Sharif, who described working as a cleaning supervisor at the hospital.
“I joined the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in 2021, serving in the Nukhba Force. I was arrested at the Kamal Adwan Hospital, where medical staff was staying alongside operatives from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Al-Nassr Brigades and other organizations in northern Gaza.”
When asked what the terrorists were doing at the hospital, he answered: “They were transferring equipment and weapons, like AK-47s, bullets and pistols. The weapons were brought to and from the hospital, in and out. Reconnaissance units and patrols would leave the hospital late at night.”
According to Sharif, “They [terrorists] would arrive at the hospital in the morning and distribute grenade and mortar munitions for attacking tanks, whether at Kamal Adwan, Falouja (in the Jabaliya refugee camp), or areas with newly established (terrorist) presence.”
Over 240 terrorists were arrested during the operation in Jabaliya and around 20 were killed in battle. IDF Naval commandos from Shayetet 13 discovered limited weaponry at the hospital but encountered an exceptionally large number of terrorists —the largest group apprehended in a single location in Gaza since the war began.
Commanders from the 401st Brigade, which spearheaded the operation, noted that some Hamas terrorists wore fake bandages to disguise themselves as wounded or sick individuals.
The IDF allowed medical teams, hundreds of hospitalized patients, as well as displaced women and children seeking refuge at the hospital, to relocate to the Indonesian Hospital on the outskirts of the city’s refugee camp.
Photo Credit: Israeli Defence Forces Spokesperson's Unit/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Pray that this first-hand testimony will be a deciding factor in revealing the true nature of Hamas to an unbelieving world as it is added to the many videos showing how Hamas uses hospitals (and schools) as command centers, launch pads and distribution points. May the world finally acknowledge the complexity of the war the IDF has been waging while choosing to preserve innocent lives, often at high cost to its own soldiers.
Scripture
Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land.
The Hind Rajab Foundation: The Group Hunting Down IDF Soldiers Abroad
by Itamar Eichner and Roi Rubinstein ~ Ynetnews
An IDF soldier who faced imminent prosecution by a pro-Palestinian organization was quickly evacuated from Brazil (illustrative).
Monday, 6 January 2025 | An IDF soldier was swiftly evacuated from Brazil after the anti-Israel group Hind Rajab Foundation initiated legal proceedings against him. The foundation claimed the soldier was involved in alleged war crimes. This prompted Israel’s Foreign Ministry to act urgently, coordinating with the IDF to identify and extricate the soldier from potential legal risks.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, which has targeted IDF soldiers abroad, strategically avoided naming the soldier to prevent Israeli authorities from warning him. Upon learning about the situation, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and top officials, including the ministry’s director-general, launched a coordinated effort with the IDF to identify the soldier. Within hours, consular officials contacted him and his family, emphasizing the need for immediate evacuation.
The soldier, who was traveling in a small group, was flown out of Brazil early the following morning. Israeli consular staff in Brazil assisted in securing a flight, ensuring his safety. Officials determined there was no active arrest warrant against him, but the foundation’s efforts heightened concerns over his legal exposure.
While no formal charges or exit restrictions were in place, the ministry conducted a “quiet review” to ensure the soldier could safely leave the country. A local attorney had filed a request to open an investigation, but no arrest warrant or detainment order was issued. The Foreign Ministry moved preemptively, opting not to take any risks.
The soldier and some of his companions have since relocated to a different country. Israeli officials emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks in such situations and urged IDF personnel to exercise caution when posting on social media, as public statements can lead to legal complications abroad.
Behind the Hind Rajab Foundation
The Hind Rajab Foundation, named after a six-year-old Palestinian girl allegedly killed in Gaza in January 2023, was established in February by Palestinian activists in Brussels. The organization, affiliated with the broader “March 30” movement, claims its mission is to seek justice for alleged war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians.
The group has shifted its tactics, avoiding publicizing the names of targeted soldiers to increase their chances of successful legal action. Recent reports from the organization claim it has compiled information on over 1,000 dual-nationality Israeli soldiers involved in the Gaza war. Arrest requests have reportedly been filed in eight countries, including Spain, Ireland and South Africa.
Photo Credit: tjdarmstadt/Flickr/Wikimedia.org
Photo License: Wikimedia
Prayer Focus
Give thanks that Israel’s foreign ministry was able to identify the soldier at risk and help him leave Brazil before legal action could be taken. Pray for the protection of the approximately 1,000 IDF soldiers who have also been targeted for arrest by the Hind Rajab Foundation. Ask the Lord to confuse and confound those organizations who would accuse Israeli soldiers of war crimes. Pray that all IDF soldiers will exercise wisdom and caution about what they post on social media.
Scripture
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Ireland Demands ICJ Broaden Interpretation of ‘Genocide’ to Apply to Gaza
by JNS
A hearing at the International Court of Justice (illustrative)
Wednesday, 8 January 2025 | Ireland on Monday filed a declaration of intervention in the ongoing International Court of Justice [ICJ] case examining allegations Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The Irish government invoked Article 63 of the ICJ Statute and submitted its intervention to the court’s registry in the Hague.
The Irish national broadcaster RTE reported in December that the Irish government had approved the proposal to intervene in the case.
Micheál Martin, the deputy premier and minister for defense and foreign affairs, told RTE that he was essentially asking the court to broaden its interpretation of “genocide” so that it would include what is taking place in Gaza.
The case, originally filed by South Africa on December 29, 2023, alleges violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention regarding Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The court has already issued several provisional measures, including an initial order in January 2024 and additional measures in March and May 2024, following South African requests.
In its provisional ruling, the court insisted that Israel take all necessary means to prevent actions that could lead to genocide, and dismissed a demand that residents of Gaza’s north be allowed to return.
On March 28, the ICJ approved additional measures, ruling that the IDF must ensure Gaza residents are given access to additional food, clothing, sanitation and medical assistance. The ICJ also demanded that Israel increase the number of land crossing points into Gaza for supplies.
In mid-December, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the Israeli embassy in Dublin shuttered amid Ireland’s hostile stance toward the Jewish state. He later denounced the Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris as an antisemite.
Ireland joins a growing list of nations that have formally intervened in the ICJ proceedings.
Under ICJ procedures, both South Africa and Israel will now have the opportunity to submit written observations regarding Ireland’s intervention as prescribed by Article 83 of the Rules of Court. The court’s interpretation of the Genocide Convention in this case will be legally binding on all intervening parties.
Photo Credit: Robin van Lonkhuijsen/ANP/AFP via Getty Images/jns.org
Prayer Focus
Intercede for Ireland, a nation with Judeo–Christian roots, to turn back from the path it is taking. Pray for the Bible-believing Christians to be strengthened and encouraged as they cry out to the sovereign Lord on behalf of their nation.
Scripture
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
Global Concern as ISIS Makes a Comeback
by Shimon Sherman ~ JNS
Detainees suspected of being members of the Islamic State group are released in Syria’s northeastern city of Hasakeh, on September 2, 2024.
Tuesday, 7 January 2025 | Three hours into 2025, a white pickup truck plowed into a crowd on the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans. After the ramming attack, an assailant identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar got out of the truck and opened fire on responding police, wounding two officers before being killed in the shootout.
The attack left 14 people dead and dozens wounded. Attached to the back of the pickup was the black and white flag of the Islamic State (also known as ISIS).
This attack was the latest in a recent surge of operations carried out by ISIS or its affiliates. High-profile ISIS attacks included a massacre at a Russian music hall, which left almost 150 dead, a bombing in Kerman, Iran, which left nearly 100 dead, and a foiled plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
A Global Campaign
ISIS’s attempt to renew its operations has been ongoing for many years. Ever since the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria collapsed territorially under mounting US military pressure in 2019, the organization has sought to reconstitute itself as a viable terror group. ISIS fighters were forced to disperse into independent cells and its leadership was driven underground.
At this point, US Central Command (CENTCOM) estimates there to be approximately 2,500 ISIS fighters in the Iraqi–Syrian heartland, a fraction of the estimated 50,000 fighters ISIS had at its height.
However, some experts believe the subdued version of the Islamic State since the fall of its caliphate may be a mirage.
“ISIS was never dormant. It just moved its operations to more marginal locations that weren’t as noticeable in the West,” Yoram Schweitzer, head of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Program on Terrorism and Low-Intensity Conflict, told JNS.
CENTCOM numbers show a sharp rise in ISIS activity in Iraq and Syria in 2024, with 153 attacks in the first half of the year, more than double during the same period in 2023. In a recent report, CENTCOM warned that ISIS was on an active path to “reconstitute itself following several years of decreased capability.”
A UN team responsible for tracking ISIS has been ringing alarm bells over the past year. In July, the team reported that ISIS was “at major risk of resurgence” and pointed to an Afghanistan-based ISIS splinter group known as ISIS-K as a particularly significant threat.
“ISIS-K is the greatest external terrorist threat to Europe,” the team wrote in its report. “In addition to the executed attacks, the number of plots disrupted or being tracked throughout Europe, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Levant, Asia and potentially as far as North America is striking.”
According to Schweitzer, the resurgence is likely to continue: “I don’t think we’ve reached the peak of it.”
A central cause of the Islamic State’s recent growth is the expansion and development of its online recruitment and propaganda operations. ISIS uses every tool at its disposal to spread its ideology, including social media, online videos and even a weekly newsletter. Recent ISIS propaganda has capitalized on Israel’s war in Gaza to grow jihadist [fighters in the “struggle,” war with unbelievers (in Islam)] recruitment.
While the media campaign likely doesn’t have a physical headquarters, it is still a highly organized affair with “a centralized operation for media, propaganda and finances,” Schweitzer explained.
In a recent statement, acting US Director for the National Counterterrorism Center Brett Holmgren warned that ISIS “repaired its media operations, and restarted external plotting.”
In Syria
Beyond ISIS’s drive to grow its international cells and to inspire “lone wolf” attacks through propaganda, the terror group has recently sought to capitalize on instability in Syria. In the aftermath of the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, ISIS is pushing to reconstitute its territorial caliphate.
“Strategically for them, the control of territory is more important than carrying out terrorist attacks in foreign countries,” Schweitzer said. “That is their main way to increase capabilities, to recruit people, to fundraise money, and to prove that they are alive and kicking.”
Ever since Assad’s Baathist regime fell to the ex-ISIS-affiliated group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ISIS has been making moves to rebuild its army and its state.
“ISIS loves vacuums,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a recent interview. “What we see in Syria right now are areas that are ungoverned because of the fall of the Assad regime, and that is a recipe for disaster.”
Although Syria’s new masters officially split from ISIS in 2014, it is unclear whether they can be counted on to quell the rising star of the Islamic State. For its part, ISIS has frequently derided HTS, calling its members “jihadists turned politicians” and traitors.
“ISIS sees HTS as apostates,” Schweitzer said. Despite this, ISIS has not called for attacks on the Syrian rebel group.
A central goal of ISIS in Syria is to rebuild its fighting force. For this purpose, the organization has turned its spotlight on a series of prisons and camps under the control of the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). These camps, located in northeastern Syria and guarded by the SDF over the past five years, house around 40,000 ISIS prisoners and their family members. In a recent propaganda drive, ISIS restarted its “Breaking the Walls” campaign, which called for organized jailbreaks.
Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s top commander, said in a recent interview with CNN that his forces were having trouble guarding the prison sites, especially due to mounting pressure from Turkey on his organization. Many members of the SDF are also members of a separate Kurdish group known as the YPG, which is designated as a terror organization by Turkey.
“With the increasing threats that face the city of Manbij, we relocated ISIS detainees from the prisons there to other, more secure detention facilities,” Abdi said. “As Turkey-backed factions advanced toward the city center, cells launched attacks on detention centers holding both civilians and terrorists. Currently, detention centers in both Raqqa and Hasakah are facing similar threats, necessitating enhanced cooperation and additional security measures to protect these sites.”
Beyond guarding prisoners, the SDF’s preoccupation with attacks from Turkey has also prevented it from continuing operations to combat ISIS’s active fighters.
“At the moment, joint operations against ISIS are halted. This is not a decision, but a military reality,” Abdi said. “If these attacks persist, joint operations will remain suspended.”
“The SDF and the Assad regime were the primary opponents of ISIS,” Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said in a recent interview. “With the former gone and the latter under pressure from Turkish proxies, concerns about the expansion of ISIS are warranted.”
With the SDF teetering, the US has stepped up direct efforts to combat the resurgence of ISIS in Syria.
“Our goal is to ensure that we support the SDF, the Kurds, and that we keep ISIS in check,” Sullivan explained.
CENTCOM head US Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla echoed this point, saying, “There should be no doubt we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”
Shortly after the fall of the Assad regime, the US carried out a series of airstrikes wiping out almost a hundred targets including ISIS leaders, operatives and camps. Furthermore, last month CENTCOM confirmed that the US assassinated an ISIS leader in a targeted airstrike.
In Africa and Afghanistan
While ISIS in Syria has certainly drawn the most attention, most experts agree that the bulk of the group’s growth is happening elsewhere.
“There is still a lot of room to develop for the organization in Africa and Afghanistan, and they will likely grow there. Africa and Afghanistan are a major focus of [the ISIS renewal] operation,” Schweitzer explained.
Last week, ISIS terrorists used IEDs to kill 22 soldiers in Somalia’s northeastern region. This operation was hailed in an ISIS newsletter as “the blow of the year,” and “a complex attack that is [a] first of its kind.”
According to a report by the US Department of Defense, ISIS’s growth in Africa, particularly in Somalia, is due to a significant surge in recruitment and growing revenue due to extortion of local businesses. Moreover, much of ISIS’s media campaign can be traced to ISIS affiliates in North Africa.
“In Africa, mainly in the Congo, Nigeria and Somalia, they have a major presence. Africa is a crucial district for ISIS,” Schweitzer told JNS.
In Afghanistan, ISIS-K has also significantly grown its profile and turned itself into an integral element of the Islamic State network. ISIS-K first gained notoriety after a terrorist bombing at the Kabul airport in 2021 killed 182 people, including 13 American soldiers. Last year, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the Crocus City Hall attack, which killed 145 people in a suburb of Moscow.
“In Afghanistan, ISIS-K has a high reputation and they are actively trying to export their terrorism beyond Afghanistan’s borders,” Schweitzer said.
The Threat to Israel
While the danger posed by ISIS grows internationally, Schweitzer said that the threat to Israel remains peripheral.
“In general, most of the operations carried out in Israel were not done by official ISIS members, but by affiliated groups. There were some people from the Bedouin and the Arab communities that tried to go and fight with ISIS in Syria, but this phenomenon was not that significant,” he said, adding, “That’s not to downplay the seriousness of these threats. There were people affiliated with ISIS who managed to kill Israelis.”
The most prominent attack claimed by ISIS in Israel was executed on June 16, 2017, when three attackers opened fire on police officers and fatally stabbed a civilian passerby. At least five other attacks have been carried out in Israel by terrorists inspired by ISIS, resulting in a total death toll of 12 people and dozens wounded.
Schweitzer explained that one of the reasons ISIS has not entrenched strongly in Israel is pressure from other terror groups. It is a major disadvantage for them: “In the [Israeli] jails, Hamas and Fatah subdued people with ISIS affiliations, because they did not want them as a challenge.”
Photo Credit: Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images/jns.org
Prayer Focus
Pray that monitoring of terror organizations by the US, Israel and other global entities will reveal all attempts by ISIS to regain their strength and that the appropriate steps will be taken to prevent a resurgence of this radical group. Pray for the success of those, such as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who are on the front lines in this fight. Pray also that efforts by ISIS to recruit new members on social media will be foiled.
Scripture
But I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me. Because your rage against Me and your tumult have come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came.
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