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War

Best Allies

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Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night…The Lord of hosts is His name. If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then also the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before Me forever.”  Jeremiah 31:35

If Israel’s enemies understood the above promise of God, they would have shot their missiles into the sun, the moon, and the stars. If they can destroy those ordinances, then and only then will Israel cease to be a nation before the Lord, the God of Israel. Israel fought its earliest wars even with a small army and few weapons, and God always gave Israel the victory and expanded her territory.

In every generation, another enemy rises to annihilate the Jews. Now it is Iran and its proxies that aim to destroy Israel but the Holy One, blessed be He, delivers us from them all.

So it was in the past, and so it will be – His promises are irrevocable.

It is true that the alliance with the U.S. helped Israel in the latest fight against Iran, but Israel is also able to fight alone for its existence if necessary, with God’s help as He promised.

Israel exists because of the God of Israel and His plans for the Jewish nation. The Jewish people will usher in the return of the Lord Yeshua to Jerusalem by proclaiming: Baruch Habah B’shem Adonai, (blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord (Matt. 23:39) and all of Israel shall be saved. (Romans 11:26)

The Jewish people, according to God’s word, have returned to the land of Israel, built cities, and Jerusalem has been united again.

God is setting the stage for the fulfillment of His prophecies for the last days. Israel will continue to exist no matter who the President of America is.

Common Goals: US and Israel

President Donald Trump collaborated with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu by waging a massive war against the Iranian Ayatollah’s regime, declaring an ultimate common goal – the prevention of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

In the war against Iran that started on February 28, 2026, which President Trump named “Operation Epic Fury” and Israeli PM Netanyahu named “Roaring Lion,” Israel and the United States acted as equal partners in the common goals of dismantling Iran’s military capability, nuclear and ballistic missile programs; ending Iranian support for its regional proxies – the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon – and setting the stage for the removal of the Islamic dictatorship regime.

The joint goals and war efforts between the U.S. and Israel proved President Trump’s close relationship with P.M. Netanyahu, as Netanyahu often stated:

“We are fighting shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy.”

Iran’s declaration, “Death to America and death to Israel.”, also united the fate of both nations:

On May 5, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally declared that Epic Fury had ended after 38 days of major combat in Iran, claiming that the U.S. military achieved most objectives—dismantling Iranian missile capabilities, neutralizing the navy, and removing immediate power-projection threats.

President Trump later added that the campaign’s formal end remained conditional upon Iran’s compliance with agreements, warning that higher-intensity strikes could resume if terms were violated. Iran promised to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which it had blockaded with missiles, drones, and mines.

Would Be Allies – Scaredy Cats

Apparently, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had requested that President Trump postpone attacks on Iran since “serious negotiations were now taking place,” claiming that both sides were close to an agreement.

Fearing uncertain consequences should the regime not change and the Iranian regime retaliate, the Gulf states were reluctant to join the fighting even when hit by Iranian missiles.

They were willing to provide any other assistance to the United States but would not participate in the war against Iran. They did not want a vengeful regime as neighbors, however battered and weakened it was.

Negotiations

While negotiations for a peace deal continued with Pakistan as mediator, hundreds of Hezbollah rockets and drones hit Israeli civilians in northern cities and villages, as well as military positions. Israel responded by bombing Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, Beirut, and Lebanon’s eastern Beqaa Valley.

The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) killed hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists and evacuated and destroyed houses in villages from where Hezbollah operated in southern Lebanon.

Bombing Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut also continued as Israel was determined to destroy Hezbollah’s capabilities once and for all to protect Israel’s northern residents.

Netanyahu insisted that no deal could include curtailing Israel’s fight against Hezbollah.

However, at President Trump’s request, Netanyahu did agree to stop bombing Beirut for the sake of the peace initiative between Israel and Lebanon.

Despite a supposed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in 2024, Hezbollah resumed rocket and drone attacks from Southern Lebanon on March 2, 2026.

The IDF responded by expanding ground operations in south Lebanon to protect northern Israeli communities. Sadly, there were soldier casualties almost daily.

Israel also seized hundreds of weapons hidden in civilian areas and uncovered hundreds of Hezbollah sites, command centers, missile launchers and arms depots in southern Lebanon villages.

Israeli and Lebanese officials later held five rounds of direct talks at the U.S. State Department, resulting in a framework of understandings reached on June 26 that is contingent on Hezbollah’s removal from Southern Lebanon.

Were the Negotiations A Success?

Though the war with Iran has severely damaged and weakened the regime, it hasn’t ended Iran’s nuclear project and its ballistic missile program. Iran’s proxies are still in Yemen and Lebanon.

Despite negotiations in Pakistan, Iran continued to control the Strait of Hormuz and lied about their enrichment of uranium, claiming it was for a civilian nuclear energy program. Furthermore, Iran threatened to block the Bab al Mandab Strait, another major international maritime passage connecting the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and to the Suez Canal.

Between November 2023 and February 2024, Iran used its Houthis proxy in South Yemen, which borders the Bab al Mandab Strait, to prevent 90% of international container ships from passing through that strait, and until early 2025 continued regular attacks on hundreds of vessels.

Still, President Trump gave diplomacy a chance, hoping that honest agreements could be reached even with such a regime that doesn’t hesitate to lie and cheat.

The U.S agreed to release frozen assets in cash if the regime “behaved” and proved that the cash would not be used to intimidate its own citizens and export weapons to its proxies.

The U.S. and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 17. The MoU was supposed to be an interim agreement to halt fighting for 60 days, at which time negotiations would resume, mainly about Iran’s nuclear program.

The immediate goal of the temporary 60-day ceasefire was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies transit, to normalize the Strait of Hormuz as an international route, and to lift the US naval blockade.

However, even before a month went by, the MoU collapsed. By early July, both the U.S and Iran accused each other of breaching the temporary agreement.

Iran attempted to reassert control over the Strait of Hormuz by threatening and attacking commercial vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker.

Though the agreement was between the U.S. and Iran at the exclusion of Israel, Iran demanded that Israel stop fighting Hezbollah. This unfulfilled demand prompted their renewed fighting.

The U.S. responded with strikes on Iranian missile installations, naval assets, and port infrastructure. President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports and expressed skepticism about future negotiations, though he didn’t completely eliminate the possibility of renewed diplomatic talks.

Although the regime has suffered severe damage to its leadership, military assets, nuclear facilities, and broader economy, it used all the strategic leverage it still had to threaten maritime commerce and global energy flows. Even with renewed sanctions, military pressure, and economic isolation that weakened the Iranian regime, Iran was able to bring about repeated shipping network disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which affected energy markets and fueled inflationary pressures.

The collapse of the MoU illustrated that temporary ceasefires may reduce immediate pressure, but fundamental disagreements and security issues remain unresolved – lasting mutual trust remains difficult to achieve in the foreseeable future.

The IRGC

President Trump seemed to understand the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for what it was and his administration even designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organization, and rightfully so. it is clear that the terror IRGC regime has not changed its ways. The IRGC uses front companies and oil networks to generate revenue.

The US and Iran continue to trade blows over the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. seeks to fully reopen the Strait to ensure unrestricted navigation, while the Iranian regime is attempting to establish its control over the Strait and charge a fee for its use. These are two opposites unwilling to compromise.

Trump may be moving back and forth from military attacks to possible negotiations until the mid-term elections in order for the Republicans to win.

The Iranian regime denies that any direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, claiming it is only receiving messages from the US via mediators.

The Silent Partner

While the U.S. intensifies attacks, hitting targets near Tehran and striking a rogue ship disregarding the blockade in the Straits of Hormuz, and while Iran fires missiles and drones at US allies in the region, Israel remains on the sidelines.

PM Netanyahu warned Iran that should Israel be attacked, Israel’s response would be harder than before. Meanwhile, Israel remains on high alert and fully prepared for any potential attack by Iran.

“Don’t count on it to be quiet if you attack us.” Netanyahu warned Iran, “Don’t count on a rerun. It will be a different broadcast—far more powerful.”

On June 7th, this year, Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles toward northern Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Beirut. The next night, Israeli jets hit sites near Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj, and Isfahan, targeting Iranian radar sites and industrial infrastructure, including a petrochemical plant, before a halt was called. Since then, the Islamic Republic has, so far, refrained from attacking Israel.

Iran’s IRGC instead attacked Bahrain, Jordan and three tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The Jordanian army successfully intercepted and shot down four missiles launched from Iranian territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered more strikes against Iranian regime targets on Monday last week in response to the Islamic Republic’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, promising to “take over” the Strait.

On Thursday morning last week, PM Netanyahu met President Trump at the White House and later attended the memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Israel. The two allies discussed broader regional issues.

Netanyahu said just before departing to Washington that he would discuss with Trump “all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran.”

“Of course, our goal is to safeguard our security while also expanding the circle of peace around us,” he said. “I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal—to ensure the security, strength and future of our dear State of Israel.”

Shortly after the meeting, PM Netanyahu said: “It was a meeting with full cooperation, with mutual support, with understanding on the joint goal that Iran won’t have nuclear weapons and also other goals.”

President Trump posted later: “Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel, along with myself and representatives, had a very good meeting! Obviously, many important subjects were discussed. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Here We Go Again

Early this Saturday, it was reported that Israel was on high alert and readiness due to assessments that President Trump was close to resuming military strikes against Iran, even on a larger scale. However, last Saturday night, Trump announced that although the U.S.was ready to attack Iran powerfully, they had just been asked by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries (probably Saudi Arabia) to hold off any attack,” giving another chance for a deal “that would have to include the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s threat.”  President Trump said that canceling the attack was for the benefit of the world and a prosperous Iran “subject to rapidly making a DEAL.”

Please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, for God’s plan and not the plans of man to come to pass, according to His purposes.

[Image from LSE blogs – Source: Flickr, Haim Zach / GPO]

U.S. President Trump’s Epic Fury -Where Is It Going?

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“אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא “

“The lion has roared, who will not fear?…” Amos 3:8a

The world is trying to understand President Trump’s intentions. So far, there are only speculations. Only Trump and Netanyahu know for sure. Their relationship is close-knit.

Trump’s sudden announcement of postponing the ultimatum to Iran for five more days surprised even the Iranian leaders, who were quick to announce that there were no talks between the two countries, and they were continuing full speed with their attacks. The war goes on.

With oil prices rising worldwide, Americans are worried about a serious oil crisis.

Trump’s announcement has caused an immediate drop in oil prices, with hopes that the war might end within these five days. This is exactly the illusion Trump intends to create.

Trump’s timing corresponds to the arrival of some thousands of American Marines as “boots on the ground” who will join the Air Force in battle. There are certain targets that are difficult for the Air Force to hit alone.

With his announcement, President Trump has gained more time to lower oil prices and play a guessing game with the world and the Iranians that, through negotiations, there could be a chance for peace.

Some countries desire to act as mediators. Qatar, which has good relations with the U.S., along with Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, is working behind the scenes to that end.

The Iranian regime strongly denies any direct talks or negotiations. While Trump is known to prefer negotiations, Iran blames him for having tricked them in the previous February talks when they believed he would not attack before they were able to prolong the talks. However, all along, Trump and Netanyahu had planned the February 28 surprise attack, ten days after he had given his 15-day ultimatum.

This time, the ultimatum affected most of the Gulf nations, which were very nervous and fearful about Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum.

Most were sure that Trump, known to carry out what he says, would act upon his ultimatum and attack Iran’s oil sites, causing an Iranian retaliation of missile attacks upon them as well. Now they can relax a little, at least for the next five days.

Trump is very familiar with the mindset of those countries. He is calming worries over the world oil market, even in the U.S., especially among Democrats and progressive liberals who oppose him. in a single tweet, he was able to lower oil prices. 

The supposed talks are being conducted under fire. The war has not stopped. Attacks by Israel’s air force and the American air force continue as we speak.

What will happen in these five days and after is anyone’s guess. There is much speculation in the media around the world, and in Israel, Most Israelis want the war to go on until total victory, aegnst the Iranian regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

According to President Trump, there are “very good and productive” talks with Iran. He states:
     “Regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East…which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to President Trump’s announcement:
     “Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to capitalize upon the tremendous achievements of the IDF (Israeli army, the Israeli Defense Force) and the US military and achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests.”
     “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah. Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances.”

Prayers:

  • Achievement of all war goals
  • Elimination of all Iranian nuclear weapons
  • Elimination of all deadly missiles
  • Elimination of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard regime
  • Freedom for Iranian Christians
  • Increased revival in the nation
  • Cessation of murdering innocent civilians
  • Complete victory over the power of evil in Iran

[Image from LSE blogs – Source: Flickr, Haim Zach / GPO]

Israel at War with Iran – Operation Roaring Lion

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“אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא “

“The lion has roared, who will not fear?…” Amos 3:8a

Genesis 49:9, paraphrased from the original Hebrew: “Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my (Jacob/Israel’s) son (Judah), you have risen. As a lion having had his fill of the prey, crouched to the ground and lay down; and being a lion, who can arouse him?”

According to Matthew 1:21, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Yosheph/Joseph, betrothed to Miriam/Mary who had conceived by the Holy Spirit:
“She shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua, (SALVATION in Hebrew, Jesus in English), for He shall save His people (the Jews) from their sins.”
Judah/Israel (from whom came the Jews) is the lion cub and Yeshua is the Lion of Judah – King of kings, the King of the Jews, His people.

Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love You be like the sun When it comes out in full strength.” Judges 5:31

The enemies of the Lord, God of Israel, are the enemies of Israel. A war is raging. Since satan, God’s enemy, was banned from the presence of God because he said in His heart, “I will be like the Most High,”  He has not relented from this quest. God’s plan to use His people, Israel, for world salvation is standing in satan’s way. This is why satan is determined to annihilate Israel and has used different people and nations to achieve his plan: Pharaoh, Haman, the Greeks, the Romans, Hitler, and the Nazis in the 20th  century and in this century, Islam. 

Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime. Satan and his hosts are behind today’s Israel’s arch enemy – Iran. There is no other logical reason for Iran’s hatred of Israel and the Jews. 

History with Khomeini and Ali-Khamenei

The first supreme leader and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran was Imam Ayatollah Khomeini, also known as “The Ayatollah,” who returned to Iran from exile in Paris in February 1979 and led the Islamic Revolution to overthrow Iran’s ruler, Shah Reza Pahlavi. “Ayatollah” Khomeini then transformed Iran into the Shia Islamic theocratic fanatic regime it is today. He was the first to refer to the United States as the “Great Satan” and Israel as the “Little Satan.” He didn’t hide his hatred of Israel or his hateful, antisemitic rhetoric, claiming that “Israel is a cancer tumor that must be removed from the region.” 

Khomeini has been criticized, among other things, for human rights violations, including the execution of thousands of Iranian political prisoners, and using child soldiers extensively during the Iran–Iraq War.

Since its very beginning, the Iranian Muslim regime has preached the destruction of Israel. Military parades have displayed missiles with slogans written on them that call for wiping Israel off the map. In 1979, the “Ayatollah” regime initiated Al-Quds Day (Day of Jerusalem), calling for an Islamic Jihad (holy war) to “liberate” Jerusalem.
Ali-Khamenei and Today’s War

After Khomeini’s death in June 1989, Ali Khamenei succeeded him. Khamenei continued the same anti-Israel, hateful rhetoric, calling for Israel’s destruction and even predicting that Israel would cease to exist within 25 years. Under the Islamic regime, Iran was no longer the same Iran as it was under the Shah’s rule, when Israel and Iran were allies and enjoyed mutual friendship.

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”  (based on the scripture from Numbers 23:24 about Israel: “Look, a people rise like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion…”) Even though Iran is situated more than 1,500 kilometers from Israeli territory, Israeli planes carried out a surprise attack, destroying most of Iran’s air defense systems and gaining Israeli dominance over Tehran’s air space. Surface-to-air missile batteries were also destroyed. 

Israeli airplanes attacked and destroyed the homes of Iranian senior political and defense officials, eliminating top military leaders, arsenals were destroyed, and with American help, nuclear facilities were damaged at different sites. Iran had fired ballistic missiles mostly at Israel’s populated areas, causing some deaths, many injuries, and devastation to homes and apartment buildings. 

At the end of the 12-Day war in June, with the help of the US in the last few days, Israel had inflicted maximal damage on Iran’s nuclear program and prevented an expansion of its ballistic missile arsenal. Unfortunately, the Khamenei regime remained in power and hasn’t abandoned its aspirations to annihilate Israel and reconquer Jerusalem.

Although the war set back Iran’s nuclear program and missile production, it became clear to Israel that Iran hadn’t stopped its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile ambitions, even increased its momentum toward weaponization in the months following the ceasefire. 

Immediately after the June 2025 war ended, Iran began replenishing its stocks of long-range, deadly missile arsenal. According to Israeli assessments, “Iran’s arsenal shot back up to 2,500 missiles, and was increasing by dozens of missiles per month.”

Note that even one such missile can cause tremendous devastation and death. Thanks to advanced Israeli air defense systems, most of those deadly missiles are being intercepted in the air.

President Trump

U.S. President Trump held a series of indirect talks with Iran to stop its nuclear program, while at the same time mobilizing US aircraft and several guided-missile destroyers to the region. 

Meanwhile, anti-regime protests erupted in many cities in Iran, calling for regime change. The Iranian Islamic regime responded violently, as ordered by Khamenei, and tens of thousands of protesters were massacred while thousands more were imprisoned. President Trump called on Iranians to “keep protesting” and to “take over your institutions,” adding that “help is on its way.”

However, this help was postponed by Trump’s diplomatic efforts of indirect negotiations to come to an agreement with Iran, presenting Iran with three main demands: a permanent end to all uranium enrichment; strict limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program, and a complete halt of support for regional proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Iran replied that “enrichment would continue in accordance with needs…” There was no indication they were ready to give in. It was obvious that Iran would continue and even expand its capabilities and use every weapon and means it could, at any cost, in order to survive.

Escalation and Life in Israel Today

Last Saturday morning, February 28, we suddenly received an alarming message on the phone from the Home Front Command to go into the shelters. We immediately entered the reinforced safe room in our apartment, unsure of what was happening, suspecting that war with Iran had begun.

Pictured above: Simcha sitting in our safe room, with the iron window shut.

We, the Israeli citizens, follow the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) Home Front Command’s instructions which are updated as necessary. We must remain in the safe room until the media notify us that it is safe to return to our regular living quarters.

After President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and their advisors considered that Iran had resumed its production of nuclear and long-range deadly missiles aimed at Israel’s destruction, they decided upon the timing of their attack. According to Israeli intelligence, the Iranians had learned from the last June war and were about to hide their missiles and nuclear facilities deep underground, out of view. It was clear to PM Netanyahu that the threat had to be eliminated before Iran succeeded with this plan.

Likewise, President Trump understood the threat aimed also at the United States’ security. Together, the leaders devised a plan to eliminate threats to their countries and to the world. This time the goal was to go all the way and also to topple the entire Iranian Islamic dangerous regime.

For the first time, Israel went to war together with the world’s greatest superpower against the common enemy. 

The Battle So Far

On the first attack, February 28, according to Israeli intelligence and with the go-ahead of President Trump, Israel destroyed the compound in Tehran where “Ayatollah” Khamenei was staying with his advisors. The supreme leader, along with about 40 other high-ranking Iranian officials were killed. The supreme leader of the enemy, the vicious “Ayatollah” Khamenei, can no longer spread his venom and hateful propaganda against Israel and America.  

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned the world for decades of the nuclear threat from Iran. Now, President Trump agrees and insists the US and Israel will never allow Iran to develop a nuclear bomb.

In the first wave of attacks, Israeli air force jets completed strikes on dozens of military targets in Iran, including surface-to-air missile systems.

The Lion keeps roaring as the war continues to rage. Also, the “Epic Furry” of the US army and air force keep attacking Iranian targets.

Hezbollah Joins

Hezbollah in Lebanon has joined Iran in launching missiles and drones into Israeli cities and villages, forcing us often to take shelter along with many Israelis, mainly in the north.

We will update you on the progress of the war shortly in our next newsletter.

  • Please pray with us for victory in this war over the vicious enemy who seeks to destroy God’s beloved people. Pray for the protection of Israel’s brave pilots and soldiers.
  • Pray for the protection of the brave US fighters and a fast end to this war.
  • Pray for the people of Iran and the perfect timing for the takeover of their government. Pray for the demise of the cruel Islamic Iranian regime.
  • Please pray with us as the Holy Spirit leads.

We continue to do spiritual warfare, claiming the victory we have over all the powers of the enemy of the body of Messiah. It is in the Name of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus that we storm the gates of the enemy, which cannot stand against God’s people with God’s authority over them. Satan and all of his demons must flee. He is a defeated foe.

Amen!

They Shall Come Back

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And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, your sons shall come back to their own border.  Jeremiah 21:16b-17

This happened today, Monday October 13.


Exactly two years ago, on the Holiday of Succot (booths), Hamas brutally attacked southern Israel from Gaza, murdering 1,200 Israelis and abducting 251 into Gaza. Israel declared war on Hamas and that has been fought since then.

Now, there is great joy in Israel as all the hostages are Home.

So, all who had returned from the captivity…sat under the booths… And there was very great joy and gladness. Nehemiah 8:17


Late on October 9, Israel’s cabinet formally approved plans for a ceasefire with Hamas, setting a Gaza peace process in motion.

Phase I

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that it constituted the “first phase” of his twenty-point peace plan that the White House had unveiled last week.

Qatar, a critical player in the mediation efforts, confirmed the developments, as did Israeli and Hamas officials. It has been a long and drawn out effort of negotiations between Israel and Hamas through the mediators, Egypt and Qatar, for the release of the remaining hostages still held in Hamas’ terra-dungeons in Gaza, because of Hamas’ unreasonable demands.

Israel’s military action in Gaza had reportedly intensified until right up to the ceasefire deadline. Since the truce, Palestinians have been returning in droves to Gaza City after an Israeli military spokesperson declared it safe to head back to the enclave’s previously most populous city.

The Israeli army, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), agreed to withdraw their troops up to a line that leaves it in control of 53 percent of the strip.

With the withdrawal complete, a seventy-two-hour window was given to Hamas to return the remaining hostages taken on October 7. Twenty were believed to be alive; another twenty-eight deceased. This is the first stage of the agreement.

Until now, out of the 251 hostages, 147 were released or exchanged in prior deals, eight of whom were dead, and the bodies of dozens more have been recovered by the IDF.

In this first phase, Hamas agreed to release the hostages safely and quietly, without victory demonstrations.

Israel agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel, as well as 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

Israel published its official list of who would be freed on Friday; not including several high-profile political figures at the top of Hamas’s list. Israel also agreed to give back fifteen Palestinian bodies for the remains of each Israeli hostage it received.

Trump was very pleased with the progress, as he said that it was a “great day” for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel and all surrounding nations, as well as the US. “We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he posted.

As Israel anxiously awaited the return of the 20 live hostages and the bodies of twenty-eight hostages brutally murdered by Hamas, there was an extensive preparation underway to receive the bodies, honor the fallen, and support their bereaved families.

However, the exact number of the fallen hostages remains uncertain. There is also the danger that the bodies may be booby-trapped with grenades or explosives, as was the case in the past.

President Donald Trump arrived in Israel this morning for a very short visit. It coincided with the arrival of the hostages from Gaza.
 
President Trump’s visit lasted close to four hours. Air Force One landed at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:20 a.m. and due to the short visit, there was only a red carpet, flag bearers, honorary salutes and handshakes, but no speeches and no anthems. 

Phase II

The President visited the Israeli Knesset (parliament) where he delivered a speech. Then he flew to Egypt for a summit of Arab and world leaders on the topic of Gaza to raise support and finalize an agreement over the second phase of the president’s post-war Gaza plan. Israel was not invited to attend the summit.
 
During the summit, leaders are expected to sign the U.S.-brokered peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. [Click here to read Trump’s 20 points of the Gaza peace proposal.]
 
Let’s thank the Lord that the 20 live hostages have returned. Please pray for their care and rehabilitation now that they are home. Please pray that all of the deceased will be returned. Pray that Israel will be able to eliminate Hamas’s military and political power in Gaza, as part of the second phase. (we will report on that in our next newsletter.)

Image by R.D. Smith, Unsplash

The 20 Points of President Trump’s Peace Plan

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  1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors (out of the two Gaza neighbors, Egypt and Israel.
  2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
  3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
  4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly acceptation this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
  5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
  6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
  7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025 agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure, such as water, electricity, sewage, rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
  8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties (Israel and Hamas) through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party.
  9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional government of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day to day running of public services and municipalities for the people of Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of States to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such a time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conductive to attracting investment.
  10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by will-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
  11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
  12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who want to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
  13. Hamas and other factions agree not to have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision if independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of demilitarization of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors (Israel and Egypt).
  14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas and other factions (terror organizations) comply with their obligations and that New Gaza posses no threat to its neighbors (Israel) or its own people.
  15. The US will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF)to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to a vetted Palestinian police force in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent supply of ammunition from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
  16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
  17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
  18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
  19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
  20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

Israel and Hamas agreed to halt fighting. This initial ceasefire went into effect on Friday after Israel’s cabinet formally approved the agreement the day before. Trump’s peace plan sketches this out as “all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen.”

Image from Aliaksei Lepik, Unsplash