Week of July 29, 2025

On February 20, several bombs detonated simultaneously in bus parking lots in the southern Israeli cities of Bat Yam and Holon. Miraculously, no one was killed despite the terrorists’ intent to injure and kill. For more than five months, Abd al-Karim Sanubar was on the run. He was recently captured by joint intelligence missions of the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF) 7490 and 5025 battalions, troops from unit 636, border police, Shin Bet (similar to the FBI in the United States) operatives, and the elite tracking unit, Marol.

Explosives in Sanubar’s possession detonated, wounding him and causing him to flee his apartment, which gave authorities the chance to pursue and apprehend him. His brother is also indicted, having been an accomplice in the construction and intent to carry out the attack. They planned what equipment they needed for the explosions, and the brother supplied Sanubar with fifteen alarm clocks to use as bomb triggers. Sanubar called his brother on the way to plant the explosives and sent pictures of five bombs, each with the name of a top Hamas operative killed by Israel, like Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Saleh al-Arouri.

Praise God for the joint efforts of the IDF and police to capture this man, whose efforts to plant bombs did not cause massive injury or destruction. Pray that he and other terrorists would repent and turn to the God of Israel.

Ofer Calderon, an avid cyclist, spent a year and a half as a hostage in Gaza. He was taken from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with two of his four children. His children were released in the November 2023 ceasefire while he spent more than a year in Gaza. During his ordeal as a hostage, he still dreamed of biking. He was released this past February.

This month, Ofer Calderon joined the Israel-Premier Tech team at the Tour de France as a special guest for the last leg of the route. It is Israel’s professional cyclist team’s sixth appearance at the Tour de France, and the team dedicated this year’s race to the hostages still in Gaza. Calderon rode down the Champs-Elysees with philanthropist Sylvan Adams, who owns Israel-Premier Tech. He said,

I’m still in shock that I’m here on a bike at the Tour de France. I’ve never been to Paris, certainly not on a bicycle . . . I’m so emotional to be here with the team. But I’m also torn: this joy can’t be complete because, alongside all these emotions, it’s very hard to deal with what’s happening to me and to all the people of Israel—that we still have hostages in Gaza, our soldiers are there, and some are being killed. So nothing will be complete until they’re all back home. It’s time to end this story and bring everyone back.

To raise awareness, Adams held a cycling event on the hundredth day of Calderon’s captivity. Adams rode with Calderon’s son, Erez, age 12. He promised the child that when his father returned, he would ride at the Tour de France.

Please pray for the full recovery of hostages released from Gaza, as well as the swift return to Israel of those who remain in the tunnels of Gaza.

Future wars against Israel will most likely begin and be determined in the skies. Israel has endured tens of thousands of rockets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missiles launched from Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, especially since October 7, 2023. On April 13, 2024, and October 1, 2024, the aerial defense systems faced a full-scale, multi-axis attack from Iran that included hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs. In June, this played out again during Operation Rising Lion when Iran sent a sustained barrage of missiles over many days. Israel’s multi-layered defenses can handle threats from different altitudes, speeds, and sizes of missiles and rockets. As a result of years of preparation, joint drills, and creative innovation, Israel has developed sophisticated aerial defenses that protect Israeli civilians and military.

The Iron Dome is the most well-known air defense system. Its launch batteries can be brought quickly to any location in the country, countering short-range rockets and mortars. The Iron Dome is crucial for protecting towns, cities, and vital infrastructure across the country.

David’s Sling, considered the mid-range air defense choice, was developed to intercept cruise missiles and threats from a longer range. Its speed and accuracy make it an important tool against threats coming from beyond Israel’s borders.

The Arrow system (Arrow 2 and 3) was developed in close partnership with the United States. It is Israel’s exo-atmospheric shield, meaning it can intercept ballistic missiles outside Earth’s atmosphere. Arrow-4, currently under development as the next generation of the Arrow-2 interceptor, will have advanced capabilities.

Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) is crucial for coordinating all of Israel’s defense systems. Without it, death, injury, and damage to civilian and military locations would have been catastrophic. As missiles travel faster than the speed of sound, UAVs swarm with autonomous capabilities, and cyber-attacks combine digital and physical disruptions to computer systems, it is crucial to have a well-prepared department in the IDF. Even other nations—including the United States, Finland, and Germany— have purchased some of these aerial defense systems.

Please pray that these increased aerial threats against Israel stop, even as we praise God for this technology that has saved many lives.

Recently, one of our staff workers in Israel reflected on a special time with a group of young adults, all grappling with the same worries, concerns, and effects of the ongoing war.

We organized a young adult meeting on a rooftop, featuring a barbecue and fellowship—what more could young adults want?! This event was designed to provide a space for younger adults to connect, share, and focus on God amidst the challenges of the current climate. The turnout was strong, with several young adults attending, many of whom expressed deep gratitude for the gathering. They shared how the war and its ripple effects have left them grappling with stress, tension, and emotional strain. The intimate setting allowed for authentic conversations and fellowship, creating a much-needed space for them to breathe, recover, and find encouragement among other believers. Attendees specifically noted that the personal and intentional nature of the event was refreshing and vital for their spiritual and emotional well-being.

Please pray for these young adults—for their faith in Jesus to be strong, for the stress and tension to leave, and that they can also be a light of the Messiah’s love to their friends and family around them! Praise God our staff can serve and love them as the community and fellowship builds them up as well.

Donate Today