Week of May 28, 2025
Northern Division Returns to Routine Military Operations
For the first time since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the northern border is returning to routine military operations. As the north is stabilizing from conflict with Hezbollah, reserve units are starting to withdraw from war-time procedures. Though these northern communities were once ghost towns under the specter of war, the northbound highway now has traffic on it. Businesses, tourist spots, hotels, and guest houses have opened their doors again. In the spring and summer, the cooler temperatures, closeness to nature, and water spots beckon many to come and enjoy.
Last fall, Israel’s largest reserve unit, the 146th Division, was brought in to counter Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force. This force was overcome by Israel’s strategic planning and experienced enough set-backs for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to realize that it was time to release soldiers from duty. Regardless, the IDF has created a three-mile mini-security zone. Lieutenant Colonel K, the operations officer for Division 146, said:
Our goal is to maintain a five-kilometer [about three-mile] threat-free buffer. There are still Hezbollah elements farther in [Lebanon], even south of the Litani River, but they’re not an immediate threat. [Hezbollah] has lost a lot—fighters, commanders, capabilities. But it hasn’t lost its motivation. That’s why we’re staying vigilant.
Please pray for the reserve duty soldiers as they return home from weeks of service. Pray for peace and safety along the northern border.
Israel Commemorates the Forty-Year Anniversary of Operation Moses
Forty years ago, during Operation Moses, Israel saved 8,000 Ethiopian Jewish people from war and famine. For generations the Beta Israel community had been yearning and dreaming of living in Israel and being near Jerusalem, so this was a life-saving dream come true for many. Every year, many from the community gather on Mount Herzl to commemorate Operation Moses. This year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog attended the ceremony. Herzog said:
Generations of Ethiopian Jews prayed and swore to return to Zion, to Jerusalem. They did not forget or lose hope during thousands of years of exile, hardship, longing and yearning. And when the opportunity came, they left their homes, their possessions, sometimes even parts of their families, and set out on a difficult and dangerous journey that took a painful and heavy toll.
Before news was leaked to the press, thirty covert flights brought 8,000 Jewish Ethiopians to Israel via Brussels. Over 200 flights brought them to peace and safety in Israel. Sadly, 1,000–2,000 were initially left behind but were later rescued during Operation Joshua (March 1985) and Operation Solomon (1991), which transported 14,000 people in 36 hours!
Praise God for their swift and secure return to Israel!
Hamas Sympathizer Murders Two Israeli Embassy Workers
Israelis and Jewish people around the world are appalled by the terrible news of the antisemitic murder of two Israeli embassy employees stationed in Washington DC. They were shot point blank outside the Jewish Museum after a peaceful event by a man full of hate targeting Israelis and Jewish people. He shouted “Free Palestine” as he was arrested.
Yaron and his soon-to-be fiancée Sarah were young people devoted to peace-building causes through the Israeli embassy initiatives. They were to land in Israel on Sunday, where he had bought a ring to propose to her. Dignitaries and government officials, including US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, attended Yaron and Sarah’s memorial service in Israel on Monday.
We mourn with Yaron’s and Sarah’s family; please pray for them.
Remembering Yaron and Sarah
Yaron came from a strong believing family, known and loved by many young believers, having grown up attending congregations, youth camps, and serving where he could. The news was shocking and horrifying in that he and Sarah were targeted because they were Jewish.
Many in Chosen People Ministries circles knew him well as he had traveled to Japan and stayed at Beit Samurai backpacker guest house (before it was even officially called Beit Samurai). He had also attended a retreat led by one of our workers for Israeli men coming out of the army. We do not know our days. We pray we can live them with fullness and joy—spreading the gospel and His light where we can.
As word spreads on news outlets of Yaron’s faith in Jesus as a Jewish person, we pray that it causes many to think of Jesus and His love for them as we deal with this tragedy.
