Israel Is Prepared for War with Iran; Iran Seems to Dial Back, Hezbollah Might Hit Harder

Is Israel on the Brink of War with Iran?

Israel Prepared for Iran Both Defensively and Offensively, Netanyahu Apologizes for October 7

Iran Claims It Does Not Want to Escalate Regional Tensions, But Must ‘Punish’ Israel

Gallant Warns: Hezbollah May Hit Israel Harder Than Iran

Hamas Announces: Yahya Sinwar to Replace Ismail Haniyeh

WATCH: This Bomb Shelter Was Placed Days Before Tragedy | Vision for Israel

This Bomb Shelter Was Placed Days Before Tragedy | Vision for Israel

Iran, Russia Vow to Strengthen Ties Amid an Escalating Regional Conflict - Report

Iran Carries out Mass Hanging Outside Tehran

Top Christian Universities Condemn Campus Antisemitism and Pledge Safe Haven for Jewish Students

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VFI News Final | VFI News | Vision for Israel

In a tense week, Israel prepares for possible retaliation from Iran following the assassination of two key terrorist leaders. 

As US and Israeli forces brace for impact, including increased naval presence, find out the latest developments in this fluid situation. 

Stay informed with VFI News as we cover military, diplomatic, and humanitarian responses to this evolving crisis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah of pre-emptive attacks, while Tehran spoke of the Jewish state’s annihilation and the region braced for the possibility of a second direct confrontation. 

“We are prepared both defensively and offensively,” Netanyahu stated during a visit Wednesday, August 7, to the IDF induction base at Tel Hashomer. “I know that the citizens of Israel are concerned, and I ask one thing of you: Be patient and level-headed,” he said.“We are striking our enemies and are determined to defend ourselves.” 

The prime minister spoke with inductees at the base amid a tense week as Israel braced for potential reprisal attacks by Iran and its proxy groups, including Hezbollah, which has already been battling the IDF along the country’s northern border with Lebanon for close to 11 months. 

Earlier, Netanyahu, in an interview with American media, apologized for the Oct. 7 attack by the Hamas terrorists happening on his watch. In the interview conducted on Sunday at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, the news outlet asked Netanyahu whether he would apologize for the Oct. 7 attack, noting his 17-year cumulative political career has been built on the argument that he is the best leader to ensure Israel’s safety. 

“Apologize?” Netanyahu asked. “Of course, of course. I am sorry, deeply, that something like this happened. And you always look back and you say, ‘Could we have done things that would have prevented it?’” (JPost /VFI News)  

“Lord, we pray for guidance and protection during this turbulent time. We pray in Yeshua’s name that any weapon formed against us shall not prevail and that You will be with us every step of the way, shielding us from harm. We thank You for equipping us for potential attacks and we pray that they will be either prevented or thwarted without causing any harm.” 

The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.

Iran said Monday, August 5, that while not looking to escalate regional tensions, it believes it needs to punish Israel to prevent further instability, following the killing of Hamas terror group leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week. 

“Iran seeks to establish stability in the region, but this will only come with punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against the adventurism of the Zionist regime,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, adding that action from Tehran was inevitable. 

In recent days, the US has seen movement of missile launchers in Iran, indicating readiness for a potential attack, US officials told American media on Monday. Iran’s potential attack on Israel is expected to incorporate ballistic and cruise missiles in addition to drones launched from western Iran, according to a report published by the Alma Research Education Center earlier this week. 

Alma listed 12 possible launch sites that may be used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army in the event of an attack, including Tabriz, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, and Dezful. 

Meanwhile, newly-installed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian begged Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei not to attack Israel and risk causing a region-wide war, a London-based media platform for the Iranian opposition, reported. 

Anonymous sources also told the platform that the Iranian government is divided on the question of whether to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh. (TOI / VFI News)

 “Yeshua knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” - Matthew 12:25

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Wednesday, August 7, that Hezbollah may hit Israel harder than Iran, noting that it may misread and downplay how hard Israel will hit back if civilians are killed. 

While at a military drill in the North, Gallant said, “As things stand, Nasrallah may drag Lebanon into paying extremely heavy prices. The heaviest there are. They do not realize what could happen” to them. 

He added, “If they looked at the pictures of Gaza, I believe they would understand, but sometimes logic is overcome,” he told the 646th Paratroopers Brigade of Reservists. Further, he stated that the situation could “deteriorate into a full war. This is not theoretical, but very real.” 

Likewise, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi on Wednesday said that “we are at the high point of readiness” should Iran or Hezbollah attack, including ready to quickly go on the attack.” 

A recent report from American media similarly acknowledged the potential of an independent Hezbollah attack. The Lebanon-based terror group looks increasingly likely to act independently and strike Israel without waiting for Iran’s response, multiple sources familiar with the intelligence revealed. 

Hezbollah may launch an attack in the coming days while Iran is still deliberating its next move. One US military official noted that Iran has made some, but not all, of the expected preparations for a major attack on Israel. However, due to Lebanon’s proximity, Hezbollah could act with little to no notice, unlike Iran. (JPost/ VFI News)

 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

The Hamas terrorist organization announced on Tuesday evening, August 6, that Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist organization’s leader in the Gaza Strip, will replace Ismail Haniyeh as the leader of the organization’s political bureau following Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran last week. 

Sinwar is one of the masterminds behind the massacre of October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 250 were taken hostage into Gaza, where 115 remain in captivity 10 months later. 

Red alert sirens were activated in many localities in southern Israel shortly after the announcement was made, including in Sderot and Ashkelon. 

The IDF announced that following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in southern Israel, approximately three launches were identified crossing from northern Gaza. One launch was intercepted and the rest fell in open areas. No injuries were reported. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in response to the Hamas announcement, “The appointment of arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar as the new leader of Hamas, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, is yet another compelling reason to swiftly eliminate him and wipe this vile organization off the face of the earth.” (INN / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we trust in Your perfect Will and plan for our individual lives as well as for Israel overall. We pray for the safety of the ones we love and we thank You for protecting so many of us during the 10 months of this violent war. We continually pray for an end to this war, the minimization of the loss of human lives, the return of our hostages, the true repentance of the criminals, and the elimination of all the terrorist groups that have been wreaking havoc in the land You have given us. In Yeshua’s name we pray, amen.”

In a tragic incident, 12 children and young adults were killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack on an Israeli soccer field in Majdal Shams. This video covers the devastating event, Israel's response, and potential retaliation. Notably, the timely placement of bomb shelters by VFI saved many lives, though the tragedy remains profound.

Tehran requested Russia to use their advanced air defense systems in Iran, American media reported on Monday, August 5. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told top Kremlin officials on Monday that Tehran was determined to expand relations with its “strategic partner Russia,” according to Iranian state media. 

Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s security council, met Iran's president and top security officials as the Islamic Republic weighs its response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh.

“Russia is among the countries that have stood by the Iranian nation during difficult times,” Pezeshkian told Shoigu in a meeting, Iranian state media reported. The president said that shared positions between Iran and Russia “in promoting a multipolar world will certainly lead to greater global security and peace.” 

Further, Iranian officials quoted by American media on Monday, including a member of the IRGC, confirmed that Moscow started supplying Iran with advanced radar and air defense equipment. Iran, in turn, has sold $2 million worth of its new Shahed-107 drone, capable of reconnaissance and attack via “suicide,” as previously reported.  

In addition, Russia condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last week, however, it called on all parties to refrain from steps that could tip the Middle East into a wider regional war. Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to exercise restraint as it responds to the assassination, two senior sources in Tehran stated. (JPost / VFI News)

The Islamic Republic of Iran hanged 29 men outside Tehran on Wednesday morning, August 7, Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights reported. 

According to the report, 26 men were executed in a group execution in Ghezelhesar Prison, and three men were executed in Karaj Penitentiary northwest of the Iranian capital. The report noted, citing “an informed source,” that 17 people were executed for murder charges, seven for drug-related charges, and 3 for rape charges. 

Iran Human Rights Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “The Islamic Republic, by exploiting global attention on its tension with Israel, is currently engaged in mass killing prisoners and intensifying the suppression in Iran … All countries with diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic are obligated to react to these crimes and prevent further atrocities.” 

The report noted that the last recorded group execution was at the height of the 2009 nationwide protests when 20 people were executed for drug-related offenses in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison on July 3, 2009. 

Last month, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that at least 266 prisoners across Iran were executed in the first half of 2024. Of the 266 prisoners executed in Iran between January and June, at least 10 prisoners were executed for charges of political and religious activities, including espionage for Israel. (INN /VFI News) 

“Dear God, we pray for the civilians of Iran whose rights are being violated daily. We trust Your justice and pray in Yeshua’s name for the appropriate handling of prisoners in Iran. We pray that no innocent is put in prison and put to death.”

British Jews documented nearly 2,000 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2024, the highest-ever tally for a six-month period that marked a 100 percent increase over the same period last year. 

The 1,978 incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST) are part of a sharp rise in hate and hate crimes against Jews following the Hamas-led October 7 attack that sparked the war in Gaza, the communal watchdog group wrote in its semiannual report published on Thursday, August 8. 

The report’s release coincided with a series of riots in recent days across the United Kingdom that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said featured “wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric” against Muslims and other minority communities. 

Meanwhile, the New York Police Department reported 30 antisemitic incidents across the city in July, three times higher than the 10 anti-Jewish hate crimes reported during the same month last year. 

In addition, in New York, last month, Jews were targeted in more hate incidents than all other groups combined, as they have been nearly every month since October 2023. (TOI / VFI News)

 “Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.” - Psalm 69:4

Two of the United States’ largest Christian universities released a joint letter late last month condemning campus antisemitism and promising a haven for Jewish students on their campuses. The letter was signed by the presidents of Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) and Colorado Christian University (CCU). 

Both are listed among the most prominent Christian Universities in the country and are nationally ranked. “To our Beloved Jewish Brothers and Sisters,” the letter begins. 

“We write to express our profound shock and indignation in response to the surge of hate and violence directed against Jewish and Israeli individuals on university campuses across the United States earlier this year. We want to make it clear to our nation and the world that our Christian institutions will not tolerate this behavior.” 

The letter continued adding that the universities are concerned that “the terrible events we all witnessed at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year are already being forgotten. What we have all seen reveals a profound problem in the culture of many institutions, a problem which must be addressed.” 

“For centuries, the academy has stood as a beacon of enlightenment, embodying the Judeo-Christian values of tolerance, freedom, and human dignity.” The universities then invited Jewish and Israeli students to join the IWU and CCU campuses. (JPost / VFI News)

 “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!” - Romans 11:11-12

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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Record High Numbers of Antisemitism