IN THIS ROUNDUP
Underwater Power Cables to Connect Cyprus and Greece and Israel
In 2022, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel embarked on an ambitious effort to build underwater power cables beneath the Mediterranean, with the goal of ultimately connecting their power grids to the greater European continent. However, the recent conflict in the region involving Iran has raised significant concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and energy assets. The project has also faced delays due to opposition from Turkey.
At the heart of the dispute is Turkey’s refusal to recognize the boundaries of Greece’s economic waters as established under international law. Turkey views some Greek islands as extensions of its territory, despite the islands technically being part of Greece. Under international law, islands generally have the right to claim waters extending up to 12 nautical miles from their shores. However, in the Aegean Sea, the large number of islands has created disputes over maritime jurisdiction, resulting in enforcement of a six-nautical-mile limit instead.
The dispute also extends to Cyprus. Following a Greek nationalist military coup in 1974, Turkey launched a military intervention on the island. This eventually resulted in the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, which remains a de facto Turkish-backed state to this day. Consequently, Turkey asserts claims over the surrounding economic waters.
These tensions have caused numerous delays and even raised doubts about whether the project can move forward. However, the USA and France have stepped in to help advance the 750-mile underwater power cable project which will one day, God willing, connect the power grids of Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and perhaps even throughout Europe.
Please pray for the smooth installation of underwater power cables connecting Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.
Israel Aims to Build the Largest Desalination Plant in the World
For a country long accustomed to chronic water shortages, Israel has turned to massive desalination plants to keep water flowing. Israel relies heavily on desalination plants to provide drinking water to the country as well as neighboring countries. “We call the desalination plants the Iron Dome of the water sector,” Israeli Water Authority Director Yehezkel (Hezi) Lifshitz said. “They are what make it possible for us to actually have water in the taps.”
However, drought and rainfall distributions have strained the system, especially affecting farmers. In recent years, rainfall during the winter months has decreased drastically, while the desalination plants have not been operating at full capacity. “If the desalination plants were working at full production capacity, the situation would be much better,” Lifshitz continued.
In central Israel, the Sorek 2 desalination plant was originally scheduled to commence operations in March 2023. However, it has faced delays due to COVID-19, rising interest rates, and the recent wars, only reaching about half its capacity in March 2025. Once fully operational, it is expected to produce 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually.
Meanwhile, Israel has recently begun the planning process to build a new desalination plant in the Hefer Valley in central Israel, which the Water Authority expects to be the largest in the world. It could produce 400 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually. This is nearly half the amount used by Israeli households each year, which consume around one billion cubic meters of water annually.
“If we managed to save 5% a year, that would be equivalent to half a desalination plant,” Lifshitz noted. “The Israeli consumer is not wasteful, but consumption can be made more efficient. Water-saving habits have eroded somewhat.”
Israel is preparing a public awareness campaign to encourage greater water conservation.
Please pray that the Lord will send the early rains in October and bless the land with abundant rainfall to replenish the Sea of Galilee and Israel’s waterways.
Bolstering of Troops in the West Bank Ahead of the High Holy Days
Ahead of the Jewish High Holidays and the escalating tension in the West Bank, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir ordered a major reinforcement of troops in the West Bank. Following an assessment with the IDF’s top generals, Zamir noted, “Many challenges lie ahead of us. We are advancing battle procedures on all fronts, from Iran and Lebanon to Gaza, and are on high alert in the face of multi-front volatility.”
The reinforcements include placing a standing army division on standby. A standing army division generally consists of tens of thousands of troops. The West Bank typically has two divisions, the Judea and Samaria Division and the 96th Gilad Division, which monitors the border with Jordan.
Violence in the West Bank has increased in recent months, including clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. This has raised concerns that tensions could escalate further. As a result, the additional troops will be tasked with responding to any heightened violence.
The move comes amid broader disagreements over the defense budget and other military funding issues. Nevertheless, despite the ongoing challenges, the IDF says there will be no reduction in the number of troops protecting Israel during the High Holy Days.
Please pray for safety and protection for all people in the region as tensions continue to rise in the West Bank. May God bring peace, wisdom, and protection to all those affected.
Discipleship in Israel: “The Highlight of My Week”
One of our staff members in Israel has been faithfully discipling several new believers. In his words, “It is the highlight of my week! I love to disciple people, especially new believers. It’s amazing to teach the basics of prayer, Bible study, faithfulness to the Lord, holiness, etc. Every meeting is an adventure with new questions they raise.”
Right now, the new believers are studying through the books of Romans and Hebrews, along with working through a discipleship book. “I have seen enormous spiritual growth in them!” the staff member commented. “It is amazing to see the gaps of biblical understanding being filled by first grasping the basics and then moving on to deeper theological topics. As we begin to dig into the Word of God and the core theological content like the divinity of the Messiah and the Trinity, typically by looking at Old Testament scriptures, they [the new believers] are normally surprised when they read these passages.”
Just last week, one of the new believers commented, “It is so obvious that Jesus must be divine. How could it be that our Jewish leaders missed this? The staff member explained that “our Jewish leaders have blinders over their eyes and they can’t see it.” The new believer responded, “Aw, just like me! I was blind too. I tried to read Isaiah 53 many times, and I couldn’t understand!”
Please be in prayer for the dear people our staff are discipling and equipping with tools to grow in their personal faith in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah!
Go Deeper
Explore topics like the Jewish history, the biblical feasts and festivals, the biblical basis for Jewish evangelism, the role of Israel in God’s redemptive plan, and more.
