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Inside Israel
Week of September 4, 2024

Israel News & How to Pray
Via The Times of Israel

Israeli Forces Find Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. (Source: The Hostages Families Forum via AP)

On Sunday, the nation of Israel woke up to the devastating news: six hostages who were taken alive on October 7 were found murdered in Rafah. Their remains show Hamas killed them just one or two days before the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found them. Their families were informed, and hearts are broken. Their names are Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. President Isaac Herzog said in a statement the “heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces” with the announcement of the deaths of the hostages. “In the name of the entire State of Israel, I hold their families in my heart and ask forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to return your loved ones home safely,” he said.

Please pray for all who are mourning and broken-hearted.

Read more at The Times of Israel
Via The Jerusalem Post

Israeli Forces Rescue One Hostage from Gaza

Rescued hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi arrives via IDF helicopter to Soroka Medical center. (Source: Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit)

After more than ten months in Hamas captivity, an Israeli Bedouin man, Qaid Farhan Alkadi—age fifty-two and father of eleven children—was rescued by the IDF in Gaza. He is the first hostage to be rescued from a tunnel, about sixty-six feet below ground. For unknown reasons, he was found not guarded by Hamas. The IDF brought him back to Israel to receive medical care and reunite with his family. He seems in good health despite losing a lot of weight from lack of food. He was met with a joyful reunion from his extended family. He is only the eighth hostage to be rescued alive from Gaza.

Please pray for Qaid’s health and return to his home and family.

Read more at The Jerusalem Post
Via The Times of Israel

Israeli School Year Starts

(Source: Unsplash/Annie Spratt)

As Israeli schools opened their doors on September 1, there are two-and-a-half million K–12 children in Israel. Unfortunately, a teachers strike kept half a million tenth-to-twelfth graders at home. Meanwhile, there are 179,300 children starting first grade and 144,000 high schoolers entering twelfth grade. For schools and students affected by Hezbollah’s rockets in the north, more bomb shelters have been placed as well as increased air defense systems. Normally, the Iron Dome missile defense system only reacts to incoming rockets if it appears they will fall in urban areas. For students who need to take school buses, the air defense will now protect those open areas. In addition, there are still 17,000 students who are displaced from their homes in Israel’s north. They will continue another year of attending school in their temporary neighborhoods or pop-up schools near their hotels or other places where they are living.

Please pray for the children of Israel to settle safely into their new school year. Pray for the teachers and administration who guide and teach these children.

Read more at The Times of Israel

Please Pray for Our Children

Please pray for the children of Israel as they start their school year. Please pray they can focus on studies, building friendships, and their extra-curricular activities. Many children are still displaced from their homes and schools so they are starting another year of insecurity. Please pray they can grow and heal under these circumstances. Praise God, Chosen People Ministries have held various summer programs, holiday camps, and other fun activities for many children. Our Chosen People Ministries team has invested in many children this past year so they can know more about Jesus and His love for them.

Please pray for their continued growth spiritually, mentally, and physically with all the uncertainties in this new school year.