Last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released video footage from the tunnel under Rafah in Gaza where Hamas kept six hostages before brutally murdering them a few weeks ago. The video was first screened for the late hostages’ families, who agreed the public needed to see it as well. This three-minute video clip showed IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari at the tunnel opening in the floor of a child’s room, descending into the hellhole where Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were held and executed by Hamas.
The tunnel—about 66 feet deep and spreading approximately 394 feet—had no toilets or ventilation and was locked from the outside by a heavy iron door. Inside, besides the bodies with bullet-riddled heads, IDF soldiers found many bottles of urine, a headlamp, a hairbrush, soiled clothing, AK47 magazines, and a copy of the Koran. Stooping under the unnaturally low ceiling, Hagari said, “Let the whole world see the evil and understand the cruelty.”
The six hostages survived almost eleven months in captivity and were held in these inhumane conditions, while starving and living without basic hygiene. The hostages had such little food they lost significant weight; Eden’s body weighed only 79 pounds.
Of the estimated 101 remaining hostages, Israeli intelligence believes many are held in similarly harsh conditions. Some are believed to be dead already. At one point in the video, Hagari pointed to blood stains in the tunnel and explained this was where Hamas murdered the hostages. Shirit Yerushalmi, mother of murdered hostage Eden, said “we were shocked” by the video. She added, “my heart broke.”
Pray for comfort for the broken-hearted families of these six hostages, for the soon and successful rescue of other hostages who are still alive, and for supernatural wisdom for government and military leaders regarding the processes and tactics surrounding this war.
The IDF’s General Staff Reconnaissance Unit destroyed an underground factory for precision missiles built by Iran within Syria, according to a new Axios report. This was the boldest operation the IDF has carried out in recent years against Iranian targets in Syria.
Iran had built this factory deep under a mountain in Masyaf, Syria to be impervious to Israeli airstrikes. The protected facility near the Lebanese border allowed for quicker delivery of missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to the report, Israeli intelligence discovered and monitored the construction process for over five years, code-naming the Iranian facility “Deep Layer.”
The Israeli special forces unit surprised the Syrian guards at the facility and killed several of them during the raid, then used explosives to blow up the underground facility from within, including advanced machinery. They also carried out airstrikes to prevent the Syrian army from sending troops back to the area. Israel had informed the United States in advance about the sensitive operation and received no objection.
Please pray for divine discernment, precise maneuvers, and strategic victories for the Israeli military—from soldiers on the ground all the way to the top.
For those of us who have been praying for the hostages to sense the presence of the Lord and to know His protection and provision, Israeli news outlets have published an interesting news story. The stories report on the “spiritual awakening” of thirteen-year-old Yagil Yaakov—one of the hostages released during last year’s hostage deal when Israel released convicted terrorists in exchange for Hamas releasing kidnapped hostages. Yaakov posted on Instagram reflecting on how his fifty-two days of Hamas captivity affected his belief in God’s existence, presence, and care.
Yagil wrote, “When I’m often asked what my true connection with the Almighty is, I answer that during captivity, what kept me going was the belief that I wasn’t alone—that He was with me . . . That’s what’s called divine providence, divine providence that I truly think I always felt before. I always felt Him with me, protecting me from every trouble and obstacle.”
When Yagil came back, he immediately told everyone he wanted to start wearing a kippah (cap worn by religious Jewish men) and tzitzit (tassels worn by observant Jewish men in fulfillment of Numbers 15:38). Many responded to Yagil’s desire with skepticism and even laughter. Yagil recounted, “I told them that throughout my time in captivity, I thought about it.”
He closed his social media post with “Father, thank you for the privilege of being here. You chose the right path for me and You will not regret this. I love you, Tata [Yiddish term of endearment for one’s father], and I’m sure that You are trying to protect the other hostages who are still there.”
Please pray with us for the salvation of Yagil and the other hostages—whether already released or still in captivity—and for God to reveal Himself to them, strengthen them, and draw them to Himself through Jesus! Pray also for miraculous physical healing and return of the hostages still in captivity.
Despite the hurdles of war and adversity, the light of Jesus is shining brightly in Israel, and we simply cannot contain our excitement! Every day, God is opening doors and hearts for the gospel to go forth during these challenging times.
Not long ago, we visited some people in the north in Hatzor HaGlilit and Kiryat Shmona where Lebanon is constantly bombarding Israeli civilians with rockets. We spent a couple of hours with Lior,* who is eighty-nine years old. She has problems with her legs and finds it difficult to move around the apartment. Although she lives under constant shelling, whenever the sirens sound, she is unable to go to the shelter—all she can do is pray. We brought her food and medicine, but most importantly, we listened to her and brought God’s cheer and care to her. We are grateful Yeshua (Jesus) uses us to provide what people need more than anything else—God’s love and comfort! There are many other people like Lior, and we pray God will continue to show us special ways to help her and many more in the coming days!
On the younger end of the spectrum, we are thrilled to report how, during our summer children’s camps and family camp, God graciously gave us wonderful fruit! Several opened their hearts to Jesus, and we saw people’s lives changing within a few days. It was fantastic! Also, when we read the Scripture and reasoned about His Word with the kids and their parents, it was amazing to watch their faces calm down and lighten up. We are encouraged as we follow up this fall, and believe our Lord Jesus is doing His beautiful work in them!
Please rejoice—and pray—with us to thank the Lord for His faithful work in the hearts of those we meet. Pray for us to be bold and sensitive as we speak the gospel, disciple the believers, and pray for people of all ages to know Him more!
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