Israel news summary

Israel News for 10-13-2023

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News Update

  • Hamas has fired long range rockets at northern Israel. The David Sling anti-missile system intercepted at one rocket near Haifa. Other missiles were intercepted around Tzfat by Patriot missiles.
  • The IDF has declared the northern border city of Metulla as a closed military area. The southern city of Sderot is being evacuated.
  • Hamas rocket barrages against Israeli towns and cities in the south continue. Direct hits were reported in Sderot and Ashkelon earlier this morning. There were no injuries.
  • The Israeli Air Force continues to strike terror targets in Gaza.
  • Israel has informed the UN that all people living in the northern Gaza Strip must relocate to the south within 24 hours.
  • According to Sky News, the UK is sending warships and planes to the Mediterranean.
  • The President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola arrived in Israel today to express solidarity with Israel. They tweeted, “We are here with a message of solidarity after the worst terror attack #Israel has endured in generations. Terror will not prevail. How we respond matters. We can – we must – stop Hamas. And do what we can to mitigate humanitarian consequences.”
  • Hamas has called for protests and unrest throughout the world. Jewish schools in Europe have decided to close today. Security has been heightened at Jewish schools and institutions throughout the US and the world. But the FBI and law enforcement claims that they have no credible threats of violence against Jewish targets today.

As Hamas and their supporters celebrate their atrocities, let us all stand united against them and remain firm in our resolve to wipe out Hamas and all terror groups and free the world from experiencing any more horrors and tragedy at their hands.

May God grant us a swift and total victory and protect all those who stand against terror.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 10-12-2023

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News Update

Rockets continue to be fired at southern Israel. Earlier today, large rocket barrages were fired at the Beit Shemesh area.

The National Unity party, led by Benny Gantz, has joined in a unity government. A “war management cabinet” will be established with only three members: Netanyahu, Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Former IDF chief of staff and member of Natiuonal Unity Gadi Eisenkot and Minister Ron Dermer will serve as observers. Netanyahu and Gantz made it clear that they have a reserved a spot for Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid party, the largest in the opposition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday for a short visit and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog and other ministers in the unity cabinet. Blinked said, “The message I bring you may be strong enough to defend yourself but as long as America exists you will not have to and America will always be by your side.” He also emphasized that as a Jew and a member of a family of holocaust survivors, he feels Israel’s pain. Blinken is expected to travel to Egypt after he completes his visit to Israel, and is also expected to meet with Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah.

Syrian media reported air strikes on the Damascus International Airport and the airfield in Aleppo, attributed to Israel.

Israeli planes continue to conduct strikes against Hamas in Gaza.

The IDF has admitted that it had some intelligence indicating a potential Hamas attack and observed unusual movement by terror squads, but interpreted the movements as military exercises.

Germany has offered military help to Israel and promised to crack down on support for the Hamas terror organization at home. Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the German parliament, “At this moment, there is only one place for Germany — the place at Israel’s side. Our own history, our responsibility arising from the Holocaust, makes it a perpetual task for us to stand up for the security of the State of Israel.” For more, click here.

The harrowing stories of survival and resistance against the terrorists this weekend are slowly emerging. There are thousands of them. Here are just a few:

A young IDF lookout in the Kissufim base along the Gaza border recounts how she and her fellow soldiers battled Hamas and struggled to survive as the terrorists overran the base. Many soldiers were killed in the fighting. To read more, click here.

Security units comprised of residents of the communities near Gaza fought valiantly against the Hamas invasion of their communities and homes. Most lacked adequate training or weapons. Despite that, these teams managed to repel the terrorists in many communities and save their communities from harm. In other communities the teams fought bravely and inflicted casualties, but were unable to stop the terror. Many members of these teams were killed or wounded. To read more, click here.

To read more accounts of survival during the massacre at the rave, click here.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 10-11-2023

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News Update

Heavy barrages of rockets were fired at Ashkelon, Ashdod and other towns and communities near the Gaza border.

The air force has so far struck over 2,500 targets in Gaza, and strikes continue at this time.

The official Israeli death count is now over 1,200., including 169 soldiers. There are 483 soldiers injured, in various conditions. Over 35 special units are operating in southern Israel to clear the area of terrorists. In the past day 18 terrorists have been killed in Israel.

To read the story of one Israeli woman’s harrowing ordeal and eventual rescue from her Kibbutz Be’eri by IDF troops, click here.

Yesterday, 14 rockets were fired into Israel from southern Lebanon. Four rockets were intercepted and 10 fell in open areas. The IDF responded with artillery fire, hitting two Hezbollah observation posts. An anti-tank missile was then fired from Lebanese territory toward an Israeli armored army vehicle near the Avivim military base. An Israeli attack helicopter struck another Hezbollah post in retaliation. This came after 3 terrorists infiltrated the northern border. IDF Brigade Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Alim Abdullah and 2 other soldiers were killed in a gun battle with the terrorists, who were also killed.

Several mortar shells were fired into Israel from Syria. The IDF responded with artillery and mortar fire towards the source of the attack. According to the Syrian Observatory For Human Rights, the shelling was carried out by Palestinian groups affiliated with Hezbollah.

There were several incidents in the West Bank yesterday, included a shooting attack south of Jerusalem in which the terrorist was killed and no Israelis were injured.

In a passionate and emotional speech yesterday, US President Biden pledged America’s unequivocal support for Israel and condemned the savage and inhuman atrocities of Hamas. He also confirmed that at least 14 US citizen’s were killed in the Hamas massacre.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu told President Biden, the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas have not been seen since since the Holocaust.

As the stories of the frightful attack continue to emerge, the picture becomes more gruesome and unfathomable. The State of Israel was built on the pledge of “Never Again”. Never again would Jewish children be slaughtered along were their mothers. Never again would Jewish grandmothers be tied up and murdered. Never again would entire Jewish families be executed in the homes. Never again would Jewish women, children, and grandmothers in wheelchairs be bound and led away to be tortured and executed. Never again would Jewish babies be thrown into fires, beheaded.

But all these horrors, and more than we even can imagine at this time, were perpetrated this weekend by “men” who equaled the Nazi SS and their methods. The planners and perpetrators, Hamas and Iran, are pure evil and must be destroyed, just like the Nazis. And the difference between now and the dark days of the holocaust is that the Jewish People now has the power to destroy those that rise up against us.

Let us pray that God grant the IDF a speedy victory against the forces of evil, while protecting our soldiers from harm.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 10-10-2023

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News Update

The official Israeli death toll has risen to 900. The IDF announced that 1500 Hamas terrorists have been killed in Israel. Early this morning several terrorists were killed in a beach area near the border.

The IDF says that it has eliminated all of the terrorists from the area around the Gaza border. There’s no way to know if, or how many, terrorists remain in Israel.

Terrorists managed to steal Israeli police vehicles and bring them back into Gaza. These could be used in future terror attacks.

Rocket attacks against Israel continue. Sirens are being heard in Tel Aviv. Rockets are being fired towards Ben Gurion Airport. Rockets have reportedly fallen in Nez Tziona, Rishon Lezion and Petah Tikva.

The IDF has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. Tanks and troops are massed at the border prepared to enter Gaza.

The government today approved the mobilization of 360,000 additional reserves on top of the 300,000 already mobilized. Air Force planes will be dispatched to European countries, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, to provide transport for Israelis in the reserves who want to return to join the fighting.

Pro-Hamas demonstrations continue to be held in NYC, London, Sydney and other major world cities. But the civilized and freedom loving world stands with Israel.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 10-8-2023

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News Update

By this time you are undoubtably aware of the unfathomable nightmare that turned into reality on Shabbat (Saturday) morning, when close to 1,000 Hamas terrorists from Gaza invaded Israel by land, sea and hang gliders, while 5,000 rockets were fired at targets in Israel within a 20 minute time span. In the attack, the terrorists destroyed weapons and communication systems and set observation posts on fire. The damage to the communication systems disrupted the ability to effectively communicate with troops in the area. It took hours for troops to reach communities and fight the terrorists.

The terrorists killed over 700 civilians and soldiers, wounded over 2,500, and captured over 100 men, women and children hostage and brought them back to Gaza as hostages. The death toll is still rising. Over 250 of the killed were murdered at a music festival in the desert near the border. The terrorists took control of communities in the area, including parts of Sderot, Ofakim. They indiscriminately shot people in the streets and in their homes, including old men and women and young children. Many foreign nationals, including at least a dozen American citizens have been killed or taken captive.

IDF soldiers and police engaged in major gunfights with the terrorists, in an attempt to defend communities. Many, including high ranking officers, were killed in the fighting. Here are just some of their names – click here.

Hundreds of terrorists were killed and dozens captured.

It is still unclear how many of the terrorists remain in Israel. IDF forces are searching for and are engaged in gunfights with groups of terrorists throughout the area. The IDF has still not fully secured the border area.

Rockets continue to be fired into Israel. The country much of the country is in bomb shelters.

Over 100,000 IDF reservists have been called up for duty. Many are already in the fight in the south.

The Israel Air Force has conducted hundreds of strikes against targets in Gaza.

It is considered a forgone conclusion that IDF ground forces will enter Gaza and that they will encounter fierce resistance in a battlefield fully booby trapped and prepared for this very scenario by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The IDF is reinforcing the northern border area with Lebanon, fearing that Hezbollah will join the fight. This morning several terrorists reportedly infiltrated the northern border into Israel. Some of the terrorists have been killed. There is currently artillery and gunfire along that border. Helicopter gunships are participating in the fighting.

All sources point to Iran being the mastermind behind this massive terror offensive.

The US has pledged its full support for Israel, including military aid. A US navy carrier group is sailing toward the area and additional fighter jets have been sent to bases in the region.

Also yesterday, a group of 17 Israeli tourists was attacked in Alexandria. They arrived for a tour at the archaeological site Pompey’s Pillar when, without any warning or apparent reason, an Egyptian policeman stationed at the site opened fire on them. He murdered two Israelis as well as the group’s Egyptian guide, and moderately wounded another Israeli. For more, click here.

Israel’s Chief Rabbis issued a joint public statement on Sunday in which they said that “it is possible to attend funeral remotely by reciting chapters of Psalms in honor of the victims.” They also called on the nation to stand united and pray for victory. For more, click here.

Israel and the entire Jewish nation is at war, and our friends in the US and throughout the world are standing with us. We must all stay united in the epic war against terror, and continue to fight, pray and provide whatever assistance possible to help Israel, the Jewish People and the free world defeat the forces of terror and evil, led by Iran.

No one knows the fate of the hostages or exactly what battles the IDF is engaging in  currently. Please follow the news as it continues to unfold minute by minute. We will do our best to summarize the day’s events every morning during these very dangerous and volatile times.

Israel has suffered a tragic blow, but with God’s help, we will defeat and destroy our enemies and emerge victorious and stronger and more united than ever.