As the current ceasefire hostage exchanges neared their end, Israel protested the humiliating violations of the deal and initially refused to release the remaining 602 Palestinian prisoners. These violations include Hamas’ sending Israeli authorities the body of a Gazan woman instead of the remains of Shiri Bibas (though Hamas subsequently returned her body). Israelis also protested the degrading ceremonies where Hamas forced released hostages to smile and wave to Gazans before turning the hostages over to the Red Cross.
Last week, Israel was to receive four bodies of hostages from Hamas and received them without Hamas propaganda ceremonies. The Red Cross handed them over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Forensic analysis confirmed they were the bodies of the slain hostages Israel expected to receive. In the final exchange of phase one of the deal, Israel is returning 602 Palestinian prisoners. They include 445 men, 24 women and minors, and 151 who are serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis. The prisoners are being sent to either Judea and Samaria or Gaza.
Please pray for the safe return of all hostages soon, and for these released Palestinian prisoners not to cause any more harm to anyone in Israel.
The funeral for Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, marked a solemn day in the nation of Israel. Their bodies were returned last week from Gaza, having been maliciously murdered by Hamas. They were taken from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Yarden Bibas, mourning husband and father, was also taken hostage and only returned two weeks ago, to the void and brokenness of his world now.
Along the thirty-seven-mile route from central Israel to the cemetery near Kibbutz Nir Oz, thousands of Israelis lined the road, holding flags, with many carrying orange balloons or wearing orange in tribute to the boys’ red hair. The funeral was only attended by family and close friends—even members of the Knesset and state officials were asked not to attend. The funeral was broadcast, and the words, songs, and emotion were felt by all.
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were buried together, in a single casket. Yarden spoke to them, “Protect me from bad decisions. Shield me from harmful things and protect me from myself. Guard me so I don’t sink into madness. Mishmish, I love you!”
Please pray for Yarden and the Bibas family as they mourn and grieve tremendous loss.
Negotiations are underway between Hamas and Israel through the United States and Egyptian mediators to extend the current ceasefire and hostage release. The situation is precarious as war could erupt again, and the remaining hostages’ lives would be in jeopardy. This current proposed ceasefire would extend for fifty days through the end of Ramadan and Passover. Israel would continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
In exchange, Hamas would release all the hostages (both living and dead) in two groups—the first at the beginning of the proposed time and the second at the end. Meanwhile, negotiations would take place for a long-term ceasefire. US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will arrive in Israel at the end of the week. Currently, five IDF divisions are stationed in strategic positions around Gaza’s borders, ready for rapid deployment depending on whether this ceasefire deal goes into effect.
Please pray for wisdom during these strategic negotiations.
“I felt like God was present through the entire time and prepared this program for us. I could see Him in the smallest details. For me, ‘Nera’ was a huge turning point where God met me personally.”
“I truly believe there aren’t enough words to describe the magnitude of the experience that ‘Nera’ was for me. I came with a heart ready for change and for God’s work, and I saw Him move far beyond what I had even expected. He worked in so many ways, ensuring that an inner healing process would begin within me.”
These quotes are from two of our participants in the Nera Healing Retreat for female soldiers who served in the military during the horrible events of October 7, 2023, and in the ongoing war. Nera means “her candle” in Hebrew. It was the pilot for an intensive program for recovery and trauma care for female soldiers.
Our staff in Israel has seen how God restored life to these women and gave them joy again. Please pray for the ladies who participated in this pilot program and for our planning team as we follow up with these ladies and plan the second retreat.
Please pray that God will use programs like the Nera retreat to immerse Israelis at this time in deep healing, bringing life and hope to a suffering nation.
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