VFI News 5 Killed, 6 Injured in Terrorist and Criminal Attacks against Israelis

Stay informed about the tragic events in Israel on August 22, 2023, as 5 individuals lost their lives and 6 others were injured in terrorist and criminal attacks. Get the latest news on these incidents, including details about the victims, reactions from global leaders, and efforts to bring justice. Stay updated on this unfolding situation and its impact on Israel and the Middle East.

#israel #middleeastnews #news

Silas (Shai) Nigerker, 60, and his son Aviad Nir, 28 from Ashdod were killed in a terrorist shooting near Huwara on Saturday afternoon, August 18, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. The shooting occurred at a carwash.

Bus driver Avi Elharar told Israeli media that he had chatted with Nigerker and Nir minutes before they were murdered. "Suddenly, I heard gunshots, and I ran like a rocket against the wind," he said. Elharar added that Nigerker had told him he was at the carwash getting the air conditioning in his car fixed.

Employees at the carwash allegedly alerted the terrorist to the presence of people speaking Hebrew who approached the victims on foot and shot them from close range before running away. Other reports said that Nigerker and Nir had spent hours in Huwara.

The IDF said it had launched a search after the terrorist, closing roads around the town and the nearby Tapuach Junction, with the search going as far as Nablus. At the same time, the Shin Bet arrested the carwash's owner and other Palestinians who had been in the area in an attempt to discover whether the terrorist was indeed tipped off.

The US State Department, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Yesha Council head Shlomo Neeman have already condemned the attack, whereas Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad quickly celebrated it: "We congratulate the heroic shooter in Huwara who is the result of our continued promise of resistance to protect our people, respond to the crimes of the occupation and defend Al-Aqsa mosque from the dangers of the Justification."

According to Palestinian reports, after the attack, Israelis threw stones at homes in the town and at Palestinian vehicles north of Huwara while shouting "Arab, Arab!" Fires were lit in the town as well. (JPost /VFI News)

“God, we pray for the family of the Israelis who lost their lives during this horrific terrorist attack. We ask that You comfort them and help them honor their loved ones while grieving. As we offer our heartfelt condolences to them, we pray that the terrorist will soon be arrested and receive just punishment for this heinous crime.”

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.

Preschool teacher Batsheva Nigri, 40, was shot to death in front of her six-year-old daughter on Monday, August 21, on Route 60 in Judea and Samaria after hitching a ride to her nearby home in Beit Hagai junction.

Nigri, a mother of three, grew up in Efrat. The driver Aryeh Gottlieb, 39, also of Beit Hagai is in serious condition from gunshot wounds and was transported to Soroka Medical Center. The child suffered from light shrapnel wounds.

Two terrorists drove in front of the victims' car, cutting it off while slowing down traffic at the intersection. They then shot at the victims from short range, spraying their vehicle with at least 20 bullets, and then continued driving.

Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, the armed wing of the Palestinian Authority's ruling Fatah faction, took credit for the attack, explaining in a statement that it was "a natural response to the crimes of the occupation." The group noted that this terrorist attack took place on the 54th anniversary of an attack on al-Aqsa by a Western tourist.

A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, also praised the attack and said it was a response to Israel's ongoing assaults on Palestinians.

Security forces do not yet know the identity of the terrorists or whether there was any connection between this Hebron attack and the weekend one in Huwara. (JPost /VFI News)

“God, we ask that You comfort the daughter of the woman who was murdered, and that she and her siblings will be able to survive and prosper through Your provisions. We pray that she will be able to heal physically and emotionally from the horrible reminders and memories that will undoubtedly haunt her after this abhorrent attack. We also pray for the swift recuperation of the driver and the quick apprehension of the terrorists responsible for this attack. Lastly, we pray that the terrorist organizations that took responsibility and praised the attack will face international backlash and that urgent measures be made to take them down.”

Two people were killed and another four were injured in separate incidents across Israel on Wednesday, August 16, at around 8 p.m. One of those killed was later revealed to be a 21-year-old IDF soldier. The soldier, who was a resident of Petah Tikva, was shot to death in his car in Jaljulia.

The 21-year-old was taken to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba in critical condition, but the medical staff there had to pronounce him dead, Jewish media reported. A 15-year-old was also slightly injured in the incident.

Furthermore, a 17-year-old was killed and another three people were injured in a violent incident and what is also suspected to be an assassination on Highway 65 near Gan Shmuel, according to Israeli media. Israel Police reported that the incident took place inside a vehicle and the details are being investigated.

The targets of the assassination are apparently a father and son, Avi and Yarin Biton, two criminals known to the police. The two had previously served prison sentences for their role in the "bloody wedding" in which a resident of Pardes Hanna was stabbed to death in 2016.

Police stated in both incidents that the attacks were criminal in nature rather than terror attacks. Police are currently looking for suspects behind both attacks. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask You to bring comfort to the loved ones of the young people who were killed. May the police forces find the culprits and prevent them from harming any more citizens. We pray for the quick recovery of all the injured and we pray that the attackers will receive justice.”

The Iron Dome was activated on Monday morning, August 21, and fired at an unmanned drone flying over Gaza, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

The aircraft did not cross into Israeli territory and from the moment it took off, IAF systems monitored the drone throughout the incident, the IDF stated a while later.

The drone did not pose an immediate threat to civilians in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, and therefore no alerts were activated.

Israel's Iron Dome was activated near the Gaza border on Sunday morning as well, in response to a drone heading toward Israel from Gaza, according to the IDF.

Israel's Air Force followed its route and used the Iron Dome to intercept the drone, which according to the IDF also did not pose a threat to Israeli citizens near the Gaza border and therefore did not trigger any national alerts. (JPost / VFI News)

“When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” - Proverbs 10:25

Experience a life-changing celebration at the Feast of Tabernacles 2023 in Brighton, England! As nations gather to commemorate God's faithfulness to the Jewish people and the promise of His presence with us, anticipate powerful worship, enlightening insights about Israel and the Middle East, and transformative fellowship. Get ready for a Feast to remember, as we mark 75 years of Israel's Independence. Register now for this unforgettable event on 14 October 2023. Be part of history, with impactful talks by Pastor Derek Walker, Simon Barrett, and Barry Segal. Enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, and choose from a variety of nearby hotels. The nearest train stations are just minutes away. Don't miss this opportunity for God to move mightily in our midst. Ready... Set... REGISTER today!

A Russian team visiting Iran to gain expertise in drone manufacturing had to shelter in their hotel after an Israeli strike targeted a weapons factory in Isfahan in January, American media reported on Thursday, August 17.

The team was part of efforts to establish a drone production facility in Russia with the help of Iran, which would produce a variant of the Iranian Shahed-136 drone known as the Geran 2.

The new facility, located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan about 900 km east of Moscow, is intended to produce drones on a larger scale than Iran, but so far is at least a month behind schedule and is seemingly still unable to produce full drones.

American media obtained documents revealing information about the Alabuga facility from an individual involved in the efforts at the site who is opposed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. “This was the only thing I could do to at least stop and maybe create some obstacles to the implementation of this project,” said the anonymous individual.

According to the report, hundreds of Russian employees and students have been sent to Iran to receive relevant training. While one of those groups was visiting Isfahan in January, the drone strike which Iran blamed on Israel targeted a weapons factory in the city.

While Iran's Defense Ministry claimed the strike was unsuccessful, video from the scene showed a large explosion hitting the roof of the facility, which is believed to have been linked to the production of drones and missiles. (JPost / VFI News)

“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked.” - Proverbs 3:25

Argentina has never had a Jewish president. But that concept could move a step closer to reality after a general election in October 2023.

That’s because on Sunday, August 13, the leading vote-getter in national primary elections was Javier Milei, who said in an interview with Spanish media last month that he is considering conversion to Judaism. One of the obstacles getting in the way: observing Shabbat.

“If I’m president and it’s Shabbat, what do I do? Am I going to disconnect from the country from Friday to Saturday? There are some issues that would make [the religion] incompatible. The rabbi who helps me study says that I should read the Torah from the point of view of economic analysis,” he said.

Milei has visited the Buenos Aires Holocaust Museum and last July traveled to New York, where he visited the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the influential former spiritual leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

However, he had voted against a bill that would make July 18, the date of the 1994 AMIA Jewish center bombing, a national day of mourning. After sharp criticism, Milei tried to change his vote, but his request was denied.

Milei is staunchly pro-Israel and has said that his “two great allies are the United States and Israel.” If elected, he has vowed to move the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (INN /VFI News)

“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” - Acts 19:20

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) wrote a letter to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion asking him to publicly condemn anti-Christian attacks by Jewish extremists in the city.

The CEO of the ADL's Israel branch, Carole Nuriel, wrote: "I turn to you in this letter to share with you the league's worry regarding the continuous attacks against Christians in Jerusalem at the hands of a small group of Jews and to ask you to make your voice heard about these actions."

According to her: "As a Jewish leader, it is important that you condemn this anti-Christian phenomenon, just as we expect other leaders to condemn antisemitism wherever it may be."

She added, "In meetings I held in recent weeks with senior Christian community leaders from various denominations, I heard reports that attacks against community members have become a nearly daily matter."

"I call on you, as Mayor of Jerusalem, to make your voice heard publicly against these attacks and to make clear that there is no room in the holy city for anti-Christian hate," she concluded. (INN / VFI News)

The shekel continued to slide against the US dollar on Tuesday, August 15, trading at NIS 3.763, its lowest rate since March 2020.

At one point, the shekel reached NIS 3.77 per dollar, before recovering slightly. The closing exchange rate was still a one percent rise over Monday’s rate.

The Israeli currency also slid against the euro, which traded at NIS 4.1144, a rise of 0.915% over the day before.

Monday saw the shekel fall against the dollar but then slow its descent after Fitch Ratings affirmed Israel’s A+ credit rating with a stable outlook, as it did in March but continued to warn of fallout if the government advances additional parts of its overhaul of the judiciary.

Analysts linked the recent fall in the shekel’s value to political turmoil over the judicial overhaul, an overall strengthening of the dollar against a number of foreign currencies, and that August is peak vacation season that sees many Israelis purchasing foreign currencies as they make trips abroad.

The shekel’s woes came as the Central Bureau of Statistics released figures showing the consumer price index rose by 0.3% in July, with the annual inflation rate dropping significantly from 4.2% in July to just 3.3%. (TOI / VFI News)

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

Want to see more from VFI? Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionforisrael and hit “like” if you like us!