VFI News November 24, 2020

The terrorist cell responsible for anti-personnel mines and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the Golan Heights is being operated by Iran’s Quds Force, according to the IDF.

The Syrian cell, known as Unit 840, is a relatively secretive operational unit that plans terrorist infrastructure outside Iran against Western targets and opposition groups, the IDF said.

The anti-personnel mines discovered on Monday were planted several weeks ago by local Syrians under the command of the Quds Force, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman said.

Over the past few months, the IDF has been tracking Quds Force cells that have been trying to plant IEDs near the border, he said. Patrols by soldiers, drones and reconnaissance are being employed to prevent attacks, he added.

In response to the explosive devices, Israel carried out a wave of strikes that hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus, killing several military personnel. (JPost / VFI News)

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. - Psalm 91:5

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that all options are still on the table to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post Friday.

Speaking with the Post before his departure from Israel, Pompeo said that while the Trump administration has relied heavily on sanctions to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions, all options remain on the table.

“The administration has been clear on that for its entire four years. There is no reason that would change today or tomorrow.”

Pompeo said the US sanctions regime against Tehran had been “pretty successful” thus far, even as he acknowledged that they had been unable to completely block Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.

The Secretary of State also said the administration’s recent actions in support of Israel’s control over Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria would likely continue. (INN / VFI News)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11

Israel has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.

The two countries, which remain technically at war, opened negotiations on the border dispute under US and UN auspices last month to clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration.

"Lebanon has changed its stance on its maritime border with Israel seven times," Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz tweeted late Thursday.

"Its current position contradicts not only its previous one but also Lebanon's stance on its maritime border with Syria, which takes into account Lebanese islands close to the border," Steinitz said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had set out his country's position on the maritime border, which he said should be "based on the line that departs on land from the point of Ras Naqoura". (INN / VFI News)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6

“God, we ask that you continue to foster peace among the region.”

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The Hamas tunnel that stretched several meters into Israel and was discovered by the IDF last month near Kissufim forest was the deepest tunnel ever dug.

While the military is not certain as to what its purpose was, it believes that it was intended to test the underground barrier or to be used for a cross-border raid by the terror group though not necessarily to abduct Israeli troops or civilians.

It was only dug recently and was not one of 20 terror tunnels used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad and destroyed by the IDF since the end of the last war between Israel and Gaza in 2014.

The tunnel which began in the Gazan city of Khan Younis was found after being notified by the new underground barrier system and by the noise of excavations which were heard by female soldiers in the Gaza Division, who are tasked with identifying such sounds. (JPost / VFI News)

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. - Luke 12:2

“God, we ask that you continue to protect your children from those who would do them harm.”

Israel could be facing a third lockdown as early as Hanukkah, according to Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy.

“I do not know if there will be a Hanukkah closure,” he said during a briefing on Thursday, noting that the increase in morbidity may lead from a cessation of restrictions to a full-fledged closure. “If there is a sweeping illness like on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, we will have to take broad steps. I can’t say if it will be on Hanukkah, but it could certainly happen if the increase in morbidity continues.”

His words were echoed by Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch, who spoke Thursday evening to N12. In his interview, he warned that there is great concern that a third lockdown is on its way. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless the people of Israel—that you protect and guide them through this difficult time, and that you bring them healing.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued an ultimatum to French Muslim leaders, as part of his bid to clamp down on radical Islam following a string of terrorist attacks.

On Wednesday, Macron issued a “charter of republican values,” giving the French Council of the Muslim Faith 15 days to sign on to the document.

The charter establishes a national council of imams, which would be empowered to accredit religious Muslim leaders, or, conversely to strip leaders of accreditation.

In addition, the charter defines Islam in France as a religion and not a political movement, and bars “foreign interference” in Muslim groups.

Macron has promoted French secularism, following a string of terrorist attacks by Islamists in France, including the beheading of a teacher over cartoons of Muhammad shown to a class last month. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you watch over the French people, and protect them from violence and extremism.”

Israeli-Serbian basketball player Deni Avdija was selected by the Washington Wizards, 9th overall in the NBA draft on Wednesday night, making him the first Israeli to be drafted in the top ten in NBA history.

"Israel is a small country and I am proud to represent it, it's something amazing. I'm excited and looking forward to taking my game to the next level and seeing what happens,” said Avdija after the draft.

He added, "I love my family, friends and fans. I will make you proud."

Avdija, 19, has played for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague.

Avdija, the son of basketball player Zufer Avdija, joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013 and excelled as a youth player. He debuted for their senior team in 2017, at age 16, becoming the youngest in club history. Two years later, he became the youngest player to ever win the Israeli League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and led his team to the Israeli League championship. (INN / VFI News)

This week, Israel announced that Eytan Stibbe will become the country’s second Israeli in space, joining a mission to the International Space Station at the end of 2021.

Eytan Stibbe is a 62-year-old former IAF fighter pilot, and he will be conducting a large number of scientific experiments while onboard the International Space Station.

The Ramon Foundation is coordinating the program for the mission, together with the Space Systems Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Foundation was founded in memory of Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut in space who was killed in 2003 when the space shuttle carrying him and his fellow astronauts back to Earth broke apart; and of his son Assaf, who was killed in an army training accident.

Arutz Sheva spoke with Inbal Kreiss, director of innovation at the Space Systems Division of IAI, to hear more about this momentous mission. (INN / VFI News)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. - Revelation 21:1