Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Israel Plans Strike on Iran, Prepares for Aftermath: ‘It Won’t End with Our Response’

by Itamar Eichner ~ Ynetnews

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the US that Israel was willing to attack Iranian military targets and not oil or nuclear facilities, according to a report in the Washington Post, quoting two officials, to avoid regional war.

Officials in Jerusalem emphasized that the Israeli strike in retaliation for Iran launching 180 ballistic missiles on Israel earlier this month, would be substantial. ‘The focus on the Iranian arena is centered on planning the attack. There is no hesitation or delay,’ said sources familiar with the matter.

On Sunday, he met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel Defense Forces Chief Herzi Halevi and senior intelligence officials in an intelligence base, for an unannounced meeting and continued consultations on Monday.

The Biden administration announced it was deploying its THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] missile defense system to the area along with American troops that would operate it, to bolster defenses should Iran launch a new and more extensive attack.

The discussions with Washington continue, to reach maximum coordination if Iran does respond to the Israeli strike but according to the UK-based Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Iran has indicated that if the Israeli attack is a limited one, this round would be closed.  “There is an understanding among some senior Israelis that Iran is interested in a ceasefire,” sources told the paper.

“Israel and the US see eye to eye,” officials said. “There is no coordination about the attack and what would follow,” he said adding the Israelis believe Iran will respond.

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on October 15, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: US Embassy Jerusalem/A1Cafel/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia

Prayer Focus
Pray for IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and all those involved, asking the Lord to grant them wisdom and strength in carrying out plans for a military response to the latest Iranian barrage of missiles. Pray for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, that they may be guided in their actions as they manage political relations with Western nations. Also pray for the citizens of Israel during this time of waiting, asking that the Lord would strengthen them and keep them steadfast.

Scripture

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

- Psalm 31:24

Four Soldiers Killed in Hezbollah Drone Attack

by Ynetnews

Monday, 14 October 2024 | The UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] launched on Sunday by the Hezbollah terrorist organization hit an army base adjacent to Binyamina, the Israel Defense Forces [IDF] announced early Monday morning, hours after the attack that injured at least 67.

Four IDF soldiers were killed in the incident and an additional seven were severely injured, according to the IDF. All the injured individuals have been evacuated to hospitals and their families have been notified.

“The IDF shares in the grief of the bereaved families and will continue to accompany them,” the IDF said in a statement, adding, “We ask to refrain from spreading rumors and the names of injured individuals, and to respect the families.”

The drone attack is the highest number of casualties in a single event since the October 7 massacre.

Hezbollah launched two UAVs on Sunday evening. Air defense systems intercepted one of them after alarms in the Western Galilee, including in Acre and Nahariya. But one of the two UAVs penetrated deep into Israel, and the explosion occurred in the Binyamina area without triggering an alarm.

“There was a crazy boom, without any warning,” said an eyewitness.

Emek Medical Center in Afula declared a mass-casualty event. Some of the injured were evacuated by helicopter to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer and Rambam Hospital in Haifa, and others were also evacuated to Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Hadera and Emek Hospital in Afula.

An initial IDF investigation into the drone strike revealed two drones—apparently the Sayyad 107 model—infiltrated Israeli airspace from Lebanon via the sea, the first of which was intercepted. The second was pursued by Israeli Air Force [IAF] units but was lost at some point before it detonated. The military is now looking into the reason for this and the lack of alarms sounding in the area. Shortly after 11 p.m., alarms were sounded in Haifa following a barrage from Lebanon; the IAF said that five rockets were intercepted.

The Sayyad 107 has a flight range of about 100 km [62 mi. ] a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 meters [5-6.5 ft.]. UAVs of this type have penetrated Israel’s airspace dozens of times throughout the war and caused damage to sites and buildings. This UAV model hit a building in Nahariya last month and dozens of other sites. Among the terrorist targets that were attacked at the beginning of the Northern Arrows operation were also caches of these UAVs, which the IDF spokesman at the time described as “armed UAVs.”

An eyewitness to the explosion said: “There was a crazy boom. The iron door buckled, we didn’t understand what happened and suddenly something penetrated the ceiling. We didn’t hear anything, only the massive explosion. There was no alarm. We ran toward the injured and then I saw that they needed a tourniquet. There were a lot of injured people full of blood. We helped them get to the shelter and waited there.”

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the mass-casualty attack, which occurred in the Ramot Menashe area, and claimed that it was carried out in response to IDF attacks in Lebanon and in particular in Beirut.

“Hezbollah can still protect Lebanon and the people,” the terrorist organization’s statement said. A Hezbollah source quoted in Al-Jazeera claimed that the terror organization launched “swarms of UAVs” in the attack. “Hezbollah’s capabilities are still strong and capable of reaching deep into Israel,” the source claimed.

The Arabic-language Sky News network reported that the UAV was “launched under the cover of a rocket barrage into the Galilee.”

The Saudi channel Al-Hadath cited anonymous sources claiming that the UAV in the attack “launched a missile before exploding.” It is not the first time such a claim has been made. In May, Hezbollah claimed that it attacked for the first time in the Metula region with a UAV “equipped with S5 missiles”—which were launched before the UAV exploded on its target.

The serious incident comes in the wake of several other serious injuries recorded by Hezbollah’s incessant barrages on Israeli communities at the same time as the battles that are currently taking place in the IDF’s limited ground operation in southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, Dvir Sharvit, 43, and Revital Yehud, 45, were killed by a direct hit in Kiryat Shmona.

Israel is also still struggling to deal with the threat of Hezbollah’s UAVs, and an example of this came on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) with the direct hit of a UAV launched from Lebanon on a sheltered housing facility for the elderly in Herzliya, in which there were no casualties after the residents followed the directives of the Home Front Command.

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on October 14, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Hezmok Media/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia

Prayer Focus
Ask the Lord to comfort the families of the soldiers who were killed in Hezbollah’s drone attack and for the complete recovery to the injured. Pray for every soldier serving on the frontlines—along the northern border, in the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria and in Gaza. Remember to pray for the wives and children of the soldiers who have been called for reserve duty, many for the third and fourth time since the war began.

Scripture

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.

- Psalm 31:1–2

Sukkot—The Season of Our Joy

by Ilse Strauss

Wednesday, 16 October 2024 | The rhythm of life in the Land of Promise is governed by a cycle of annual holidays, days set aside in the 12-month Israeli calendar to celebrate what Leviticus 23:2 calls, “The feasts of the Lord…” Some are solemn, dedicated to repentance and rededication. Others are more exuberant, a joyous celebration of God’s might, care, loving-kindness and faithfulness.

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) falls in the latter category. In fact, the weeklong feast is considered such a happy time that it is referred to as “the season of our joy.” Sunset tonight ushers in the festival of Sukkot—and seven days of joyous celebration—for the people of Israel according to God’s specific instruction in Leviticus 23:40, “you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.”

The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the three Fall Feasts, following Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and marks an end to the High Holy Days.

The name Sukkot is plural for sukkah, the Hebrew word for hut or booth. The feast commemorates the 40 years a fledgling nation of former slaves wandered the desert en route to the Promised Land, living in temporary huts or sukkot—with nothing but the faithfulness of God to provide for their daily necessities, such as safety, shelter and sustenance in a barren wilderness.

Today, more than three millennia later, the descendants of those who spent four decades in the desert sustained by God’s care still celebrate Sukkot according to His command: “You shall dwell in booths for seven days…that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt…” (Lev. 23:42–43).

The days leading up to the holiday pass in a flurry of activity as Israelis become makeshift carpenters to construct temporary shelters outside their homes, in backyards and on balconies, sidewalks and every other conceivable open space. Building the sukkah is always a great family adventure, and young and old usually come together to erect and then decorate the family’s temporary dwelling.

Great care goes into ensuring that the family sukkah is as festive as possible, with the interior beautified with pictures, flags of Israel, handicrafts, flowers and fresh fruit. The temporary dwellings—often made from a frame of wood or metal, covered with sheets, rugs or blankets as “walls” and branches or leaves as the roof through which those inside can see the sky—becomes “home.” For the week of Sukkot, Israelis spend their free time in the sukkah, enjoying their meals, visiting with loved ones and even sleeping under the stars—much like their ancestors did in the wilderness.

Yet the significance of the sukkah or temporary hut goes beyond a physical reminder of God’s care to fulfil our everyday needs. Jewish tradition holds that dwelling in the sukkah is like being enfolded in God’s embrace. According to this belief, God commanded Israel to erect the temporary dwellings in memory of the “clouds of glory.”

During the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The pillar of cloud guided the Israelites as they journeyed by day, but when they camped at night, the cloud took on a different form and became a tabernacle overhead. This was reportedly the same cloud of glory that hovered above Mount Sinai—the clouds of the glory of God.

While the Israelites dwelled in the desert, Jewish belief holds that God enfolded them in a tabernacle of the cloud of His glory, the cloud of His presence. Moreover, each year over Sukkot, He invites their posterity to do the same. As Israel dwells in temporary huts in memory of the cloud of His glory in the desert, they, like their forefathers, dwell in His embrace.

This year, Israel obviously finds it harder to celebrate. It has been just over a year since the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Just over a hundred hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Israel fights a physical war against those who have repeatedly vowed to destroy her on multiple fronts as well as an equality fierce war against emotive propaganda. From a worldly perspective, it seems there’s very little to celebrate, yet celebrate Israel will. At first glance, that might seem counterintuitive. Let me explain.

God Himself draws the correlation between Sukkot and joy when He instructs Israel to spend the feast in delight and jubilation before Him (Lev. 23:40). Joy is thus a decision based on God’s directive rather than a fleeting emotion.

Moreover, on Sukkot Israel remembers and affirms that true happiness is not found in the earthly trappings that money can buy; neither is stability derived from a hefty bank balance, a fancy title or a lofty position. And this year, just like so many other times during the times when it seemed like there was very little light at the end of the tunnel for the Jewish people, Israel will choose to celebrate God as the one true source of joy, love, security, provision and protection. The God who met every need of their ancestors as they wandered exposed in the wilderness for 40 years with no way to fend for themselves is the same God who continues to care for Israel in the Promised Land as the God who pledged to watch over them without slumbering or sleeping (Ps. 121:4).

On Sukkot this year, Israel affirms yet again: Am Yisrael chai! The people of Israel live because the God of Israel lives.

Bridges for Peace wishes all our Jewish friends a happy Sukkot and a festive season of joy in the God of Israel.

Source: (Bridges for Peace, October 16, 2024)

Photo Credit: Zoe McHenry/bridgesforpeace.com

Prayer Focus
Pray for the people of Israel during this Sukkot [Feast of Tabernacles]. Ask the Lord to give strength and peace to every household missing family members —lost or currently serving in the IDF—around their table. Beseech Him to grant comfort to those who mourn, blessing them with joy and abundance as they celebrate according to the LORDS decree, despite the war and chaos surrounding them.

Scripture

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

- Psalm 23:5

Israel Takes Aims at Hezbollah UAV Unit to Battle Drone Threat

by Joshua Spurlock ~ Middle East Update

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 | Israel has a new goal after a Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) killed four Israel Defense Forces [IDF] soldiers and wounded dozens: Eliminate Hezbollah’s entire UAV unit. The Times of Israel, who first reported the new goal, said that this effort is now a priority in the ongoing war with the Lebanese terror group. The plan is broad, aiming to take out everyone engaged in Hezbollah’s entire UAV program, including production of the drones.

The report comes as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his American counterpart Lloyd Austin that a “forceful response would be taken against Hezbollah” following the heavy casualty UAV attack on Sunday night. An Israeli readout of the call published by Israel said Gallant “highlighted the severity of the attack” and “reiterated the ongoing threats posed by Hezbollah and the importance of operating to dismantle the organization’s attack infrastructure.”

In addition, Gallant visited the IDF base hit by the Hezbollah UAV on Monday morning and was quoted in an Israeli press release as telling the soldiers, “We are concentrating significant efforts in developing solutions to address the threat of UAV attacks.”

Meanwhile, Israel isn’t only concerned with Hezbollah UAVs. On Monday, the Israeli Air Force eliminated Samer Abu-Daqa, the head of Hamas’s air command who was among those behind the UAV and paraglider attack during the October 7, 2023 terror massacre. According to the Hebrew IDF feed on X (formerly Twitter) and translated by Google, Abu-Daqa “was responsible for many acts of terrorism in the airspace, including the launching of drones and UAVs” and “was a key source of knowledge in the Hamas air force and took a central part in its establishment.”

The IDF reported that Abu-Daqa replaced the Hamas air command leader who was eliminated in October 2023. In addition, Abu-Daqa had served as the head of Hamas’s UAV unit until 2021.

Source: (This article was originally published by the Middle East Update on October 14, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today.)

Photo Credit: US Secretary of Defense/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia

Prayer Focus
Pray for the success of this initiative to eliminate all UAVs from Hezbollah’s arsenal. Ask the Lord to reveal all hidden locations as well as manufacturing points. Pray also for the development of new defensive systems that can consistently track and destroy UAVs before they reach their intended targets.

Scripture

No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

- Isaiah 54:17a

This is the New Air Defense System the US is Sending to Israel

by Dan Raban ~ Ynetnews

Monday, 14 October 2024 | Israel announced on Saturday that the US had agreed to deploy a THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] air defense system to help intercept ballistic missiles, with the US confirming on Sunday that the system would arrive soon. This comes amid a potential Israeli retaliation to Iran’s ballistic missile attack and the possibility of a significant and rapid escalation in regional tensions in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a veiled threat against US forces operating in Israel, in a post addressing the THAAD system’s deployment. “The US is putting the lives of its people at risk by deploying an American missile system in Israel. While we’ve made enormous efforts to reduce the likelihood of a full-scale war in the region in recent days, I must say, we have no red lines when it comes to defending our people and assets.”

The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that around 100 US troops will be responsible for operating the system, a detail later confirmed by the Pentagon. The system will represent a significant air defense capability that could serve as a “force multiplier” for Israel against the various threats surrounding the country, particularly against Iran.

The THAAD system is a mobile, high-altitude regional defense system, similar in capability to Israel’s Arrow system. It can intercept missiles outside the atmosphere, using kinetic energy to neutralize them. THAAD is designed to target various stages of an enemy missile’s flight path, as well as other threats.

The system’s deployment comes following an Israeli request to the US. It’s also seen as a show of strength by sending additional military assets to the region. A Tehran-based source cited by CNN said Iran has informed the US that it will retaliate against any new attack by Israel.

What Makes This System Special?

“The system is comparable to the Israeli Arrow system; it’s not intended to add another layer of defense or replace an existing system. It’s about providing additional firepower and each of these batteries comes with dozens of interceptors, significantly boosting firepower,” former Israel Defense Forces [IDF] Air Defense commander Brig.-Gen. (res.) Zvika Haimovich told Ynet.

“We saw around 200 interceptors used in the last barrage after 100 were used in April. If the next attack includes more munitions, this addition provides more opportunities and enhances your ability to defend against Iran’s more intense scenarios,” he explained.

What’s the significance of deploying THAAD beyond just boosting firepower?

“In essence, it’s part of a defensive alliance and US–Israeli partnership. This system is one of several components we’ve seen over the past year including elements on the ground, at sea and detection systems in space.”

“It sends a regional message of a strong, stable strategic alliance, with the US literally standing by Israel’s defense. It’s both a deterrent and a practical threat that could eventually manifest in the interception of missiles fired at Israel from the ground by American forces. This dual significance is incredibly important,” Haimovich said.

What Has US–Israel Cooperation in This Field Looked Like So Far?

“During the first Gulf War, the Americans deployed air defense forces in the region but there’s been an ongoing process with the US since the early 2000s where hundreds and thousands of American troops come to Israel every two years and we practice the response to a complex, multi-front threat landscape that didn’t only emerge this past year.

“These are personal connections, reciprocated on a daily and weekly basis and not just in biannual exercises. This doesn’t just start with an order from the US president—it’s built on a longstanding, very personal relationship, as close as it can get. When people say ‘fighting shoulder to shoulder’—it’s not a cliché; that’s exactly what it is,” Haimovich added.

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on October 14, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: The US Army Ralph Scott/Missile Defense Agency/US Department of Defense/Flickr/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia

Prayer Focus
Give thanks for the solid relationship that has been built between the US and Israeli militaries over the past 30 years. Pray that the THAAD system will complement Israel’s own defensive capabilities and help provide a deterrent to Iran and its terror proxies. Above all, give thanks to the Lord who is Israel’s true defender.

Scripture

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.

- Psalm 144:1

Every House is a Terror Base, IDF Says of South Lebanon Village

by Ynetnews

Friday, 11 October 2024 | Israel Defense Forces [IDF] troops operating in South Lebanon found Hezbollah’s preparation for an invasion into Israel, the military spokesperson said on Thursday. Every house here was a base for terror, Daniel Hagari said in a video filmed inside a Shi’ite village near the Lebanon border with Israel.

Hagari said Hezbollah’s Radwan forces were embedded in the village, appearing as regular villagers while their military equipment, including rifles, grenades and more, were stored in the houses waiting for the order to be given to launch the assault. “It would have been bigger than the one on October 7,” Hagari said.

Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force was to number 4,000 to 6,000 men in six brigades and 16 battalions that were to breach the border at the same time through six points, and overrun military bases and communities on the Israeli side.

According to the military, the terrorists would arrive from elsewhere in Lebanon, mostly the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah has bases, to live in the villages where they walked in civilian clothes, pretending to be innocent residents, while they await the order.

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on October 10, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Israeli Defence Forces Spokesperson's Unit/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia

Prayer Focus
Offer prayers of thanks, for the Lord prevented Hezbollah from launching an infiltration of northern Israel on the same day that Hamas invaded the south! Praise God also that the IDF is locating and capturing the weapons that would have been used to kill Israelis, both soldiers and civilians alike. Pray for the safety of these soldiers as they enter hostile villages to dismantle Hezbollah’s military preparations.

Scripture

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.

- Deuteronomy 33:29

Yad Vashem Tackles Rising Antisemitism in Austria with Holocaust Exhibit in Parliament

by Joshua Spurlock ~ Middle East Update

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 | Austria, the birth nation of Adolf Hitler, is again facing the threat of growing antisemitism—and Yad Vashem [Israel’s official memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust] is addressing that threat directly with a Holocaust exhibit in the Austrian parliament building. “Torn from Life: The Fate of Austrian Jews After the Anschluss in 1938” presents artifacts, including a photo album and miniature Torah scroll, to tell the story of 14 Austrian Jews who had to flee from Nazi persecution.

Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan—in Austria on October 14-15 for the opening of the exhibit—met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday. According to a press release from Yad Vashem, Dayan and Nehammer discussed the “latest surge in global antisemitism as well as the concerning significant rise of far-right political parties following the recent Austrian elections.”

Antisemitism has surged globally following Hamas’s terror massacre on October 7, 2023 that killed around 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds more. The move to open a Holocaust exhibit in Austria’s parliament is a key governmental statement against hatred toward Jews, although Dayan acknowledged the situation remains serious.

“While Austria’s continued partnership is deeply appreciated, we cannot ignore the challenges posed by the current political climate,” the press release quoted Dayan as saying. “It is crucial that Austria remains steadfast in confronting its historical role in the atrocities of the Holocaust and combating antisemitism. We hope that any antagonistic and ominous factors, which threaten to reverse Austria backwards in these important areas will be met with strong, courageous and responsible leadership committed to overcoming these adversities.”

The “Torn from Life” exhibit includes many items that are being displayed in Austria for the first time since their Jewish owners escaped the country ahead of the Holocaust. A separate Yad Vashem press release on the exhibit said that the letters, drawings, photographs and more have gone from being “seemingly mundane” to become “imbued with deep significance”. Yad Vashem said some items “became cherished mementoes of loved ones who were murdered, while others testify to the perilous journeys of escape, the terror of incarceration, and the resilience of those who hid until liberation.”

Dayan, in the second press release, called Austria’s display of the exhibit in parliament a “significant step” and said it “demonstrates the country’s commitment to uphold the fact-based historical narrative of the Holocaust.”

Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, is based in Jerusalem. The organization provides key Holocaust education and remembrance of the millions of the Holocaust’s Jewish victims in Israel and beyond—even in Hilter’s original home nation.

Said Dayan of the importance of the Austrian exhibit, “The artifacts in this exhibition are not merely remnants of a tragic past; they give voice to the millions silenced by the Holocaust. Each item tells a personal story of loss, survival, and resilience. By displaying them here in Austria, we underscore the vital importance of remembering the past.”

Source: (This article was originally published by the Middle East Update on October 14, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today.)

Photo Credit: Noam Chen/Israeli Ministry of Tourism/Israel_photo_gallery/Flickr.com

Photo License: Flickr

Prayer Focus
Pray that the “Torn from Life” Holocaust exhibit currently displayed at Austria’s parliament will effectively convey its message to all its viewers. Pray that Austrian politicians, especially the newly elected right-wing members, will continue to support “the country’s commitment to uphold the fact-based historical narrative of the Holocaust.” Pray that opportunities will be made for school-aged children to see the exhibit.

Scripture

Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

- Psalm 31:4–5

Child Hostage Forced to Watch Violent Hamas Murders while Held Captive

by Israel Hayom ~ JNS

Friday, 11 October 2024 | In a poignant interview for the “Children of October 7” social media project, 13-year-old Eitan Yahalomi from Kibbutz Nir Oz shared the harrowing details of his captivity at the hands of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

The French–Israeli survivor, who was released in November, then aged 12, as part of a prisoner exchange deal, recounted instances of physical abuse, persistent hunger, and being forced to watch disturbing footage.

Yahalomi was kidnapped from his home during the October 7 Hamas onslaught. His father, Ohad, who was shot during the abduction, remains in captivity, while his mother, Batsheva, and little sister Yael managed to escape an attempted kidnapping.

“When we arrived in Gaza, many people beat us. We heard gunshots and shouting in Arabic. They were waiting for us. They were civilians,” Yahalomi said, describing his entry into Gaza.

When asked if he had felt scared, he responded candidly, “A bit, to be honest.”

Throughout his captivity, Yahalomi faced constant hunger. “My daily ration was a pita and a cucumber,” he revealed. He also spoke of being subjected to disturbing content. “They showed me videos of them killing people. They seemed happy about it.”

When asked whether he tried to avoid watching, Yahalomi explained, “No, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, he wouldn’t have allowed it. I saw even worse things. These images are constantly in my mind.”

As for his ability to sleep at night, Yahalomi added with stark honesty, “Not much. I’ve been through the worst, and that’s that.”

Source: (This article was originally published by the Jewish News Syndicate via Israel Hayom on October 11, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Screenshot: "Children of October 7."/jns.org

Prayer Focus
Cry out to God for the hostages who remain in Gaza, asking that in His mercy He will enable them to endure the unspeakable horror they are living through. Pray for the hostages who have returned to Israel and the counselors who are helping them deal with the sights and experiences they underwent. Ask the Lord to comfort, to bless His children with peace and restore them to wholeness.

Scripture

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

- Psalm 61:2–3

Media Softens Hezbollah Attack on Holiest Day on Jewish Calendar

by JNS

Monday, 14 October 2024 | The Hezbollah terrorist organization fired some 320 projectiles at civilians in the Jewish state on the High Holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), according to the Israel Defense Forces [IDF].

“This should tell you everything you need to know about our enemies,” the IDF said.

Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, stated that “Hezbollah’s latest targets were elderly Jews and Holocaust survivors in a retirement home.”

“On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon fired a drone which hit the Beit Juliana Retirement Home in Herzliya—named for the late queen of the Netherlands, the grandmother of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander—and whose residents include Holocaust survivors, who came to Israel from the Netherlands,” Herzog stated.

“A symbol of dignity and resilience, the home and its residents—who thankfully were in the safe room during the attack—have covered the hole and damage caused by the drone with an Israeli flag,” the Israeli president added.

“What would the US do if Canada or Mexico did the same over Christmas or Easter?” wrote StopAntisemitism.

The AP, which frequently notes when days are the holiest on the Islamic calendar, did not report that Yom Kippur is the most sacred Jewish day.

The wire service noted “a barrage of rockets fired by Hezbollah into Israel Friday night and Saturday, celebrated in Israel as Yom Kippur, or the Jewish Day of Atonement.”

“The military says some of the approximately 320 projectiles were intercepted, and no injuries have been reported,” the AP reported.

Reuters did not mention that the attack occurred on Yom Kippur, let alone that it is the most sacred Jewish day. It also didn’t describe Hamas or Hezbollah as a terror group in its coverage.

The New York Times also did not note in its coverage that Saturday was Yom Kippur, nor that it is the most holy Jewish day. It has reported that Ramadan  (one of the Five Pillars of Islam when stringent disciplines are observed) is the holiest month for Muslims when it discussed actions of Israeli police officers.

Source: (This article was originally published by the Jewish News Syndicate on October 12, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Ayal Margolin/Flash90/jns.org

Prayer Focus
Praise God that no one was injured or killed in the drone attack that struck the retirement home in Herzliya. Pray that the media will be held accountable for its lopsided reporting regarding the actions of the terrorists who launched over 300 missiles, rockets and drones at Israel on Judaism’s holiest day.

Scripture

For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

- Ecclesiastes 12:14

Hamas Prevents Civilians from Fleeing Danger in Northern Gaza

by Einav Halabi ~ Ynetnews

Friday, 11 October 2024 | The Hamas terror group has been preventing civilians from leaving areas under Israel Defense Forces [IDF] attack and sheltering in humanitarian zones.

The military has been urging civilians to leave ahead of an operation targeting Hamas terrorists. Some 200,000 people managed to leave, according to the military but many civilians remain.

Some said they were afraid to move through areas under IDF control and others said Hamas terrorists were threatening them and demanding that they stay. The Hamas interior ministry also called on civilians to remain where they were, making them human shields for the terrorists.

Hamas health officials said the IDF demanded that hospitals in the area, evacuate. They said the Kamal Adwan hospital was surrounded and that the forces were shooting at the administration offices. Hamas also claimed there was a siege on northern Gaza and that basic supplies were not allowed in.

An Israeli security official said the Palestinians in northern Gaza are again experiencing fear of attack while Hamas attempts to assert its governing control of the area.

On Thursday, the IDF said it destroyed a Hamas command center inside what had been a medical facility, killing 12 terrorists. the military identified three of the dead as terrorists who participated in the Hamas massacre on October 7 last year.

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynetnews on October 10, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Tarciso/Flickr.com

Photo License: Flickr

Prayer Focus
Pray for the Gazan civilians who are trapped by Hamas and are being used as human shields. Pray that the media will accurately report the situation and not accuse Israel of inhumane actions.

Scripture

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD… [the wicked person] sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

- Psalm 10:2–3, 8