Ten IDF Soldiers Killed, Hamas Shejaia Headquarters Destroyed

Ten IDF Soldiers Killed, Hamas Shejaia Headquarters Destroyed | VFI News #hamas #israelnews #gaza

IDF Takes Over, Destroys Hamas's Shejaia Headquarters

IDF Uncovers Largest-Ever Hamas Attack Tunnel, Raids Hamas Leaders’ Vacation Homes

Freed Hamas Hostages Warn of ‘Colossal Danger’ in Gaza Tunnels as They Push for Ceasefire

20% of Hezbollah Rockets Have Fallen in Lebanon Since October 7

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US, UK Forces Down 15 Drones over Red Sea as Houthis Vow to Keep up Attacks on Israel

Senior US Official: Sinwar's Days Are Numbered

WSJ Poll: Majority of Americans Back Israel in War with Hamas

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The IDF took over and destroyed the headquarters of the Hamas’ Shejaia Battalion in Gaza City, while also advancing further into the heart of Khan Yunis, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said on Friday morning, December 15. 

The forces of the 188th Brigade, in coordination with armored, engineering, and infantry forces and the Air Force, carried out the operation to take over the Shejaia Battalion’s headquarters. 

On Tuesday, ten IDF soldiers, including several senior officers, were killed and six were wounded in an ambush in Shejaia. During the operation, the IDF eliminated terrorists and destroyed a tunnel shaft where a terrorist was hiding and trying to throw explosives at Israeli forces. 

The headquarters itself was destroyed by airstrikes, tank fire, and the IDF’s engineering forces. Additionally, during the operation, soldiers from the 414th Field Intelligence Battalion made use of the “Maoz” (Spike Firefly) kamikaze drone, specially designed for urban combat, for the first time to expose and strike a terrorist cell in the area.  

The IDF’s Oz Brigade and the 7th Brigade also continued operations in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, raiding terrorist infrastructure, destroying weapons warehouses, eliminating many terrorists, and locating the entrances to tunnels used by Hamas. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we pray for the families of all the brave soldiers who lost their lives. We ask that You comfort them and allow them to cherish all the precious memories of their loved ones. We also pray for the swift recovery of the wounded soldiers and pray for their complete healing. We ask that You bring a quick ending to this war in Yeshua’s name.”

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.

The IDF on Sunday, December 17, revealed the largest-ever Hamas attack tunnel discovered by the military, in the northern Gaza Strip, close to the Erez border crossing with Israel. 

The tunnel, around four kilometers (2.5 miles) was uncovered by the IDF, goes down some 50 meters (165 feet) underground in some areas, and appears to be wide enough for vehicles to pass through. It did not enter Israeli territory. 

According to the IDF, the tunnel has several branches and junctions, along with plumbing, electricity, and communication lines. In some parts of the tunnel, troops found blast doors, which the IDF said were intended to prevent Israeli troops from entering. 

“Its width indicates that it was intended to have been used for vehicle-borne raids against civilians in the Gaza border communities,” said the commander of the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade, Col. Haim Cohen, in a video statement.

Further, soldiers with the Israel Defense Forces’ 7th Armored Brigade raided the vacation homes of several key senior Hamas commanders in southern Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar, and uncovered a secret tunnel hidden under a baby crib in the northern strip, officials said also on Sunday. 

Additionally, IDF troops successfully struck dozens of Hamas’ missile launch sites and observation posts, took out an outpost that belonged to Hamas’ Deir al-Balah battalion, and recovered intelligence materials, the Israeli military said. Israeli soldiers also conducted a raid at the home of a member of Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces, seizing weapons and equipment, the IDF added. (TOI / VFI News)

“Lord, we ask that You would continue to help our troops uncover tunnels and other facilities that are intended to harm Israel. We pray that the plans of the enemy will be exposed and stopped before they can wreak havoc on the people of Israel.”

Former Hamas hostages have warned the Israeli army of the “colossal danger” hidden in Gaza’s 300-mile-long tunnel system — as they called for a new ceasefire deal to free the remaining captives. 

Several of the more than 100 hostages who were freed last month met with Israeli officials Saturday night, December 16, to discuss what they went through in Gaza, Israeli media report. 

One former hostage, who was not publicly named, told Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and fellow war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz that their weeks in captivity were spent in fear that they could die any day. “There’s no time. Every passing day is terrifying,” the Israeli said. “You have no idea what kind of monsters we are dealing with.” 

The former hostage claimed that Hamas told them that the IDF would employ the infamous “Hannibal Directive” on civilians, a revoked protocol that once allegedly called on troops to prioritize taking out terrorists even if it meant killing a kidnapped soldier. 

“We were scared when the [IDF] bombings were close,” the ex-hostage said. “They were so close that we begged them to take us into the tunnels [for safety], and at one stage they did.” 

The person added that Israeli soldiers should avoid the tunnels at all cost, as Hamas will not hesitate to hide behind its hostages. “Don’t go into the tunnels,” the freed hostage warned. “They are moving around in there in vast numbers. It’s a colossal danger to soldiers and to hostages.” (NYP / VFI News)

“I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me.” - Judges 11:27

The IDF revealed that about twenty percent of all rockets fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organization at Israel since the Hamas massacre of October 7 have fallen short and landed inside Lebanon. 

“Since October 7th, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets and missiles from Lebanon toward Israel. In one barrage of rocket fire this week, eight rockets fired by Hezbollah fell inside Lebanese territory.” 

“Overall, approximately one in five rockets fired by Hezbollah since October 7th toward Israel have fallen inside Lebanese territory. Hezbollah’s rocket attacks harm Israeli and Lebanese civilians alike,” the IDF stated. 

“By continuing to operate and fire projectiles and UAVs from southern Lebanon at Israel, Hezbollah is violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The IDF will continue to defend Israel’s northern border from any threat,” the military statement concluded. 

On November 19, almost a month ago, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that “since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 1,000 munitions at Israeli targets but suffers far more significant harm.” (INN / VFI News)

“Lord, we pray that You protect all of our borders and that You inspire our troops to not lose hope amid the war but shield us from the enemies. We pray for an end to all hostilities so that our citizens can rebuild their lives in peace, without fearing for their livelihoods. We pray that You will restore everything that was lost and guide us to a peaceful, prosperous era.”

Amidst the recent turmoil, Vision for Israel stands strong, delivering aid and relief to those affected by the attacks. Your support fuels hope and healing in these challenging times. Vision for Israel is fighting for life.

A senior Houthi official has vowed that the Yemeni rebels will continue operations against Israel, as repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group have disrupted international shipping through a key Red Sea waterway. 

“The Houthis will not abandon the Palestinian cause, regardless of any US, Israeli, or Western threats,” Houthi politburo member Ali al-Qahoum said in an Arab channel according to British media, while warning any hostile move against Yemen would have dire consequences. 

Houthis said they fired a barrage of drones Saturday, December 16, toward the port city of Eilat in southern Israel. US Navy forces said they shot down 14 drones over the Red Sea Saturday morning. Egypt’s state-run media also reported that Egyptian air defense had shot down a “flying object” off the Egyptian resort town of Dahab. 

A British destroyer also brought down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea, UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps said. The overnight action was the first time the Royal Navy has shot down an aerial target in conflict since the 1991 Gulf War. 

Shapps said attacks on commercial ships in the global trade artery by Yemen’s Houthi rebels “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.” “The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade,” he said in a statement. (TOI / VFI News)

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” - Psalm 27:4

A senior US official told reporters in a briefing on Thursday, December 14, that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s days “are numbered”. 

While Israeli leaders have voiced such threats against the terror leader and have referred to him as “a dead man walking,” it appeared to be the first time that a senior US official has spoken publicly about Sinwar in such a manner. 

“He has American blood on his hands and he is holding American hostages. I think it’s safe to say it doesn’t matter how long it takes… justice will be served,” the official said. 

Thirty-eight Americans were killed during Hamas’s terror onslaught on October 7, and eight US citizens and permanent residents are among the roughly 135 hostages being held in Gaza.

The IDF on Thursday distributed flyers in Gaza, promising a financial reward of $400,000 for information leading to the location of Sinwar, and $300,000 for help in locating his brother Mahmoud. (INN / VFI News)

“Lord, we ask that all terrorists wreaking havoc in Israel be apprehended immediately by our military forces. We pray that the terrorist organizations that have orchestrated so many attacks against innocent civilians will soon be dismantled and that their leaders will no longer be able to harm anyone. We offer our sincerest condolences to everyone who has been affected by the Hamas massacre and we pray that peace will prevail in Israel.”

A majority of Americans support Israel in its war against the Hamas terrorist organization, according to a new survey published Monday, December 11, by the Wall Street Journal. 

According to the poll, 55% of Americans believe that Israel is responding with the appropriate level of military force needed to defend itself following the October 7 massacre, while 25% believe that Israel is using disproportionate force. 

42% of voters said that they sympathize more with Israel than with the Palestinian Arabs, compared to just 12% who sympathize more with the Palestinian Arabs. 

Support for Israel was significantly lower among Democrats. Just 17% of Democratic voters said that they sympathize more with Israel, while nearly 25% sympathize more with the Palestinian Arabs. About half of Democratic voters said that they are equally sympathetic to both sides. 

The survey found that foreign policy ranks low on American voters’ lists of top concerns going into next year’s presidential elections and that the war between Israel and Hamas is the top issue of only a small percentage of voters, most of whom are more concerned by issues which directly affect the US such as the economy and immigration. (INN / VFI News)

“If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” - Proverbs 9:12

Mexican immigration authorities detained a group of five Middle Eastern migrants who were trying to reach the U.S. border. Two of those migrants were reportedly listed on an FBI watchlist. 

The arrests took place about two weeks ago, along the highway that connects the Mexican cities of Tecate and Tijuana, a statement from Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) revealed. 

Agents found the migrants at a checkpoint along that highway where Mexican authorities spotted a vehicle with Mexican license plates being driven by a Haitian man. 

The vehicle contained five Middle-Eastern men who Mexican authorities claimed had the intention of illegally crossing into the U.S. Mexican officials reported that the five Middle-Eastern men were from Iran and that two of them were on an FBI watchlist. 

Mexican officials did not reveal details about the FBI’s interest in the two Iranian men. Agents with the INM responded to the location and took the five migrants to a detention center in Tijuana. It remains unclear whether Mexican authorities will deport the five men. (BB / VFI News)

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