Week of December 4, 2024

After almost fourteen months of fighting against Hezbollah’s relentless attacks along Israel’s northern border, Israeli officials declared a ceasefire. Israel’s Security Cabinet voted 10-1 in favor of the cessation of hostilities. Hezbollah began firing on Israel on October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas waged its massacre in Israel’s south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “spoke to US President Joe Biden and thanked him for the US involvement in achieving the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it.” President Biden also spoke from the Rose Garden at the White House saying,

Hamas now has a choice to make; the only way out of this is to release the hostages and, in the process end the fighting. In the coming days, the US, with the help of its partners, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, will try to push for a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. The US remains ready to conclude the historic agreements with Saudi Arabia for full normalization with Israel. I continue to believe that peace is possible. I will not stop working to achieve it.

There are thirteen points in the ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cannot carry out any offensive action by ground, air, and sea, except in their right for self defense. In addition, Hezbollah must withdraw from south of the Litani River in Lebanon. Any production of weapons, materials related to weapons, military infrastructure, and bases must be authorized. Otherwise, they will be dismantled. Israel will gradually withdraw south of the Blue Line (the unofficial boundary the United Nations placed between Israel and Lebanon) within sixty days. The United States will help mediate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to reach a recognized land border.

Please pray for peace in northern Israel and for the safety of non-combatants in Lebanon. Despite some of the infractions of the peace treaty over the last few days, we are still praying that it will stick and that lives will be saved. We are also hoping that Israel will be able to maintain the boundaries established years ago to keep Hezbollah from encroaching on the northern borders of Israel.

Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect, the Israeli Air Force pounded an underground precision-guided missile manufacturing site in Lebanon, close to the Syrian border. The complex was almost a mile long. With Iranian support, Hezbollah used it to store and manufacture precision surface-to-surface missiles and weapons. Its proximity to Syria made it easy for Hezbollah to smuggle materials to build the missiles as well as easy travel for terrorists between Syria and Lebanon. This site was Hezbollah’s largest precision-guided weapon manufacturing facility in Lebanon.

Please pray no more Hezbollah weapon and missile production sites will operate in Lebanon.

In assessing Israel’s maneuvers in Operation Northern Arrows against Hezbollah, it is astonishing to see the coordination and teamwork of the IDF. The IDF’s Air Force logged almost 14,000 flight hours with 11,000 quick military strikes against Hezbollah targets. Naval Forces clocked 25,000 operational hours at sea to hold a secure maritime zone and prevent arms smuggling. Hezbollah’s firepower and weapons were massively reduced with estimates it has only 30 percent of its drone fleet—which was a lethal asset to target Israeli civilian centers. Ground operations were key for the campaign: there were 14 brigade teams that launched 100 special ops missions. Together, the IDF took out 14 senior Hezbollah members, their secretary-general (Hassan Nasrallah), and dozens of other military leaders.

Finally, Israel confiscated over 155,000 weapons and pieces of military equipment. This includes over 13,000 anti-tank missile launchers, rockets, and anti-aircraft missiles; more than 12,000 explosive devices and drones; and over 121,000 communication devices, paperwork, equipment, and computers. The commander of Division 146, Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin, spoke highly of Operation Norther Arrows. He reiterated that the IDF remains stationed along the northern border to maintain security and preserve the hard-won achievements of recent months. He said to IDF soldiers,

Over the past year, you have pushed Hezbollah back and cleared the areas from which the group directly threatened the residents of the north. Your achievements are inspiring and have created a stable foundation for decisions aimed at security. We are determined to uphold the agreement and enforce any violations.

Please pray the ceasefire holds and that Hezbollah does not rebuild itself.

This week, the men from our staff in the Tel Aviv area are starting a much-needed men’s fellowship. We have a vibrant women’s fellowship that brings together Hebrew and English speakers once a month for brunch and Scripture reading as well as a Bible study for each group during the week. Over the past months, this Bible study has grown with new believers, seekers, and those who have been believers for years. It is a welcoming and safe place to bring friends!

Now, it is the men’s turn to get started, so please be in prayer for this group’s growth and depth! Meeting on alternative weeks, the Bible study will be a time of discipleship, friendship, and growth in the men’s walk with the Lord. With the current ceasefire, many men will be returning home from the battlefield and will need a listening ear, someone with whom to talk through their experiences, and Bible teaching to rely on. This is so important at this time!

Please pray for this group to grow in wisdom and stature. May it be a safe and welcoming place for people, both new and seasoned believers, to come and bring their friends!