VFI News Only 51 Hostages Are Still Alive According to Analysts; Iran Continues Its Threats

Only 51 Hostages Are Still Alive According to Analysts; Iran Continues Its Threats . . .

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Currently, Hamas is holding 51 Israeli hostages alive, according to Israeli analysts. The remaining Israeli hostages are dead, although it has not been officially announced that they are all dead, as reported on Sunday, November 3, by Israeli media.  

About two months ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a briefing before the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that half of the hostages are alive.  

The data on which Netanyahu relied was compiled based on information accumulated through various channels since October 7, some of which are public and some are based in military intelligence. 

This means that 50 of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza are dead, although so far only 37 hostages have been officially declared dead, with their bodies held by Hamas.  

It was also reported that this gap is explained in Israel by the fact that declaring death requires absolute evidence, based on which medical and rabbinical authorities can declare a person’s death. 

Such evidence does not exist at the scientific or religious level required for a formal declaration of death, but it seems that Israel has enough information to assess that additional hostages are dead already. (INN / VFI News)

“Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for the hostages who are still alive, that You protect them and their physical health, and that You strengthen them so they can persevere through the unimaginable adversities they are going through daily. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You will be their refuge and comforter. We also pray for the families of the hostages who are dead, that You comfort them as well, and take care of them during the devastating period of grief they are going through.”

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.

In defiance of US warnings against retaliatory strikes on Israel after its attacks on Iran last week, Iran is signaling plans for a complex response with more advanced weaponry, Iranian and Arab officials with knowledge of the strategy told American media on Sunday, November 3.  

Iran has informed Arab diplomats that its conventional military will be involved in the response because four soldiers and a civilian were lost in Israel’s attack, according to Iranian and Arab officials.  

An Egyptian official reported that Iran privately warned of a “strong and complex” response.  “Our military lost people, so they need to respond,” said an Iranian official quoted by the American news outlet. 

He suggested that Iran might use Iraqi territory in its response and is likely to target Israeli military facilities “but much more aggressively than last time.”  

Iran does not intend to limit its response to missiles and drones, as in previous confrontations. Any missiles used in this operation would be equipped with more powerful warheads, said Iranian and Arab officials.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei wrote on X/Twitter on Saturday: “Today, the Zionist regime is committing the most atrocious crimes in West Asia… The United States of America and the Zionist regime will definitely receive a crushing response for what they do against #Iran and the #Resistance Front.” (INN /VFI News) 

“Lord, we pray for protection from Iran and all its proxies. We pray that their plans will fail and that they will not be able to harm our civilians, soldiers, and infrastructure. In Yeshua’s name, we pray for a miracle, for all the enemies to realize the futility of their plans, and stop their vile actions. May peace return to the Middle East and may we all live in Your truth for the rest of our days, truly loving You above all and our neighbor as ourselves.”

Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, said on Wednesday, October 30, that the war against Israel will continue. In a pre-recorded speech, his first since being named to head the terror group, Qassem said he will continue in the footsteps of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah. 

During his speech rockets targeted the Galilee after barrages that began early in the morning and continued throughout the day. 

“I thank Hezbollah for giving me this responsibility, which is a heavy load and a sign of trust. The blood of our leader will remain and strengthen our resolve to continue on this path,” he said. 

He added that Hezbollah was not asking for a cease-fire, but “If the enemy wants to stop, we will accept terms that are suitable to us. Any solution will be through negotiations.” 

Meanwhile, Israeli naval commandos captured a Hezbollah official in a raid in northern Lebanon late Friday, the military confirmed on Saturday night.  

Lebanese media reported that Israeli special forces arrived from the sea and raided a chalet on the coast of Batroun, south of Tripoli, and took one person with them before leaving the area in speedboats. He was taken to Israel to be questioned by the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504 — which specializes in HUMINT, or human intelligence — on Hezbollah’s naval operations. (YNet/ VFI News)

“For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake you lead me and guide me;” - Psalm 31:3

Gazan terrorist organizations on Sunday evening, November 3, detonated an explosive device on a humanitarian convoy, causing damage to a nearby hospital and injuring six people, said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.  

In a statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that “in coordination with COGAT, a humanitarian convoy enabled the evacuation of patients and staff from the Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals to other hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip. The convoy also provided humanitarian aid to these hospitals, including food, water, fuel, and medical equipment, to maintain their essential operations.” 

As a result of the explosion, the convoy was hit by shrapnel. No injuries were reported among the convoy’s personnel. 

“Following the incident, the COGAT Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) reached out to the heads of the WHO and clarified this was an explosive device planted by the terrorist organizations in Gaza,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.  

Additionally, following an assessment by COGAT with hospital officials, six children in the hospital were injured by the explosion. Damage was also caused to the roof and courtyard of the hospital. (INN / VFI News) 

“Dear God, we pray for the six people who were injured by the terrorist attack yesterday. We pray that You heal them and give them strength. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You dismantle Hamas once and for all, that the acts of all terror organizations be stopped, and that the innocent Gazan civilians will be protected.”

Over the last few years, we donated several ambulances and medi-cycles to MDA (Magen David Adom). And so far, over 30,000 emergency responses have occurred with these vehicles. Saving lives and saving people is what it is all about. Watch as Vision for Israel added two vehicles to the list of donations: a bloodmobile and a mobile intensive care ambulance. Thanks to you, our generous faith-led donors, 30,000 people have been able to receive medical assistance.

The United States said on Friday, November 1, that it will deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft, ballistic missile defense destroyers, and Navy destroyers to the Middle East, in a readjustment of military assets as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to leave the region.  

The Pentagon said in a statement that deployments would take place in the coming months and demonstrated the flexibility of the US military movements around the world. US Central Command (CENTCOM) already announced on Saturday that the B-52 bombers from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing have arrived in the Middle East.

“Should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people,” Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder also said in a statement.  

However, the Biden administration is concurrently putting maximum pressure on Israel, threatening to suspend military aid if Israel does not fully implement its demands before November 13, American media reported.  

The threat follows an October 13 letter sent by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to their Israeli counterparts, warning that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not significantly improve within 30 days, it would affect the weapons the US supplies to Israel. (JPost/VFI News)

“Lord we ask that You will prevent a full-scale war from breaking out in the Middle East. We pray that our alliance with the US will be strong and that Israel will not be blamed for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We ask that You provide the innocent Gazans with the supplies they need and that the terror organizations will not be able to touch what is meant for the civilian population.”

The FBI and Pittsburgh police arrested two Pittsburgh-area residents Wednesday, October 30, on hate-crime charges for allegedly damaging or defacing Jewish buildings in July.  

Shockingly, one of those individuals, Mohamad Hamad, self-identified as a “Hamas operative,” purchased and tested explosive materials for a future fireball, and was a Pennsylvania Air National Guard member stationed near Pittsburgh International Airport, according to the criminal complaint. 

The US and Lebanese dual citizen also donated to Squad Democrats who have called Israel’s year-long war in Gaza a genocide and pushed for a US arms embargo on the Jewish state as it fights Iran and its terrorist proxies.  

Talya Lubit, charged as Hamad’s Jewish accomplice in spraying pro-Hamas graffiti on a synagogue and Jewish community center, called Jews “enemies,” advocated the county council pass a controversial cease-fire resolution against Israel and joined a letter defending Pittsburgh’s very own anti-Israel Dem. Rep. Summer Lee, who last month blamed Israel for the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on its first anniversary. (NYP/VFI News)

Adding to the great successes Israel has had in the Olympic Games, Israeli believer Haniel Schucman just won a gold medal in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece.  

During the playing of the Israeli national anthem, “HaTikvah,” Schucman gave glory to Yeshua, with “Yeshua” emblazoned across the back of his kimono as he accepted his prize.  

Schucman (20) from Mevasseret Zion, competed against 3,000 contestants from 60 countries to win the gold.  

“I am full of gratitude to God for this day! This is such a special and important day for me, but the thing that is more important to me than any podium achievement or medal in the world is to glorify the name of Yeshua and carry the name of God in honor!”  

Schucman took the top spot in his weight category (up to 77 kg) after beating two Canadian contestants – first in the semi-finals and then in the final. He was aware that in addition to representing Yeshua on the podium, he was also representing Israel. (CHN /VFI News)  

“So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32

Over 150 runners in the NYC Marathon on Sunday, November 3, dedicated their race to the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, by wearing shirts bearing the faces of hostages Naama Levy, Doron Steinbacher, Evyatar David, Ohad Yahalomi, and Edan Alexander—accomplished athletes who had previously completed marathons and triathlons themselves.  

These runners dedicated their 26.2-mile journey to the hostages as hundreds cheered them on. Near the finish line at Columbus Circle, the NY Hostages Families Forum and numerous supporters rallied behind the participants while waving Israeli flags adorned with yellow ribbons.  

Yamit Ashkenazi, sister of hostage Doron Steinbrecher, said, “Our Doron loves to run. Every Saturday morning she would run across the Kibbutz. On that tragic day, she wasn’t able to run and ever since she’s been held hostage. It warms our hearts that people will be running today with Doron’s picture and to know that she’s in so many people’s hearts. To know they are running for her because she can’t run for over a year now.” 

Yoni Levy, father of hostage Naama Levy, stated, “When I see Naama’s picture in the huge marathon, I feel her absence so deeply and how it hurts that she’s not here. Naama participated in triathlons and races with deep passion and courage and if she would have known people would be running for her, she’d be excited and thankful for the support and for people fighting to bring her home.” (INN / VFI News)

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” - Romans 12:15-16a

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

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