VFI News About 190 Fires Erupted During the Weekend; The IDF Started Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’

About 190 Fires Erupted During the Weekend; The IDF Started Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ . . .

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The extreme heat wave that struck Israel over the weekend sparked more than 190 wildfires across the country. Dozens of firefighting crews, aided by planes from the aerial firefighting squadron, worked continuously to control the various fire centers and prevent their spread.

Several significant fires were reported in the northern district. In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 17, a fire broke out in a forested area near the town of Rameh. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within a few hours, preventing major damage.

In the afternoon, another fire ignited in the Ramat Hashofet area. Dozens of firefighters, with full aerial support from the “Elad” squadron, worked in coordination with the Nature and Parks Authority, KKL-JNF, and additional reinforcements to gain control over the fire. No injuries or property damage were reported.

At the same time, a fire broke out in the Shfaram area, directly threatening the first row of homes in the town. As a result, 12 firefighting teams, supported by aircraft, were dispatched to the scene. The fire in Shfaram caused minor injuries to four people due to smoke inhalation and damaged several storage structures in the area.

Toward the evening, a fire was reported in the Ben Shemen Forest. Eleven firefighting teams were deployed to handle three separate fire fronts. Initial assessments suggest that some of the fires in Ben Shemen Forest may have been caused by deliberate arson. (INN/VFI News) 

“Dear God, we thank You for protecting us and our firefighting personnel from the intense fires. We are extremely grateful for the firefighters and pray that You keep them healthy and give them strength and courage. We pray that You keep protecting us, our loved ones, and the beautiful nature You have given us and that You prevent additional fires from erupting. We pray for the health of anyone who was injured during these fires and we ask that You help them recover fully as soon as possible. We also pray that You call all arsonists to repentance and bring them to justice. In Yeshua's Name we pray, amen.”

"Over the past 24 hours, the IDF has begun extensive strikes and deployed forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of the initial stages of Operation 'Gideon’s Chariots' and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza, to achieve all objectives of the war, including the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas," said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit in a statement, Friday evening, May 16. 

"IDF forces under the Southern Command will continue to operate to protect Israeli citizens and fulfill the war's objectives," it added. 

A senior defense official recently provided more details about "Operation Gideon’s Chariots," and stated that the goal will be "to defeat and subdue Hamas in Gaza and release all hostages." 

The source added that "A strong protective envelope will be provided to the forces maneuvering from land, air, and sea while using heavy equipment to neutralize explosive devices and destroy threatening structures." 

The source noted that the IDF intends to create a complete separation between Gazan civilians and Hamas terrorists. "A central component of the plan is the broad evacuation of the entire Gazan population from the fighting zones, including northern Gaza, to areas in southern Gaza, while creating a separation between them and Hamas terrorists - in order to allow the IDF operational freedom of action." (INN/VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we pray that You take over the war with Hamas and help our military reach its objectives according to Your Will. We pray that You prevent Hamas terrorists from harming more people and using civilians as human shields. We pray in Yeshua's Name that all innocent civilians will soon be able to enjoy peace and joy in the land. Thank You for everything You are doing for us. We praise You for You are good, holy, just and merciful.”

A slight improvement was recorded Friday, May 16, in the condition of the newborn baby delivered following the deadly shooting attack in Samaria earlier last week. 

The infant, who is in the neonatal intensive care unit at Schneider Medical Center, was listed in serious but stable condition. The baby was delivered in emergency circumstances after the mother, Tze’ela Gez, may her memory be blessed, was critically wounded in the attack and later succumbed to her injuries. 

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, the IDF located and arrested several suspects who were connected to the attack. During the arrest of one of the suspects, a terrorist was identified running toward the forces holding a backpack that was suspected of being rigged with explosives, while shouting “Allahu akbar”. 

The soldiers shot and killed the person in response. There were no injuries reported among Israeli troops. The investigation into the terror attack is ongoing and is being conducted by the Shin Bet and the Samaria District Police. (INN/VFI News) 

“Dear Lord, we pray for the infant and the family of Tze’ela Gez. We pray for the infant's health and his reunion with his father and siblings. We pray in Yeshua's Name that You prevent such tragedies and terror attacks. May You always protect the ones who love You, guide their steps and not let the enemy harm them.”

Just hours after US President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East visit, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, May 17, launched a tirade against America and Israel, charging that Trump is a liar and calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

"Trump said he wants to use power for peace. He's lying," wrote Khamenei on X, adding, "Some of the remarks made during the US President’s trip to the region aren’t even worth a response at all. The level of those remarks is so low that they are a source of shame for the American nation." 

Washington has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since the 1980s. The ayatollah called the Jewish state—America’s key ally in the Middle East — a "cancerous tumor" that must be uprooted. According to the Trump administration, Khamenei’s regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of antisemitism.

Khamenei also aimed at the Sunni Arab countries that are allied with the U.S. in the Mideast, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. "This failed model, where Arab states are told they can’t survive ten days without US support, is being imposed again. But it will collapse, and America will leave this region."

Khamenei also accused America of using its resources to attack the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. "The US has used its power to massacre in Gaza, to stoke war wherever possible, and to arm its mercenaries," said Khamenei. (FN/VFI News) 

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” - Romans 8:7

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On Friday afternoon, May 16, the IDF struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to the Houthis in the Hudaydah and Salif Ports in Yemen.

According to the IDF, "These ports are used to transfer weapons and are a further example of the Houthi terrorist regime's systematic and cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure in order to advance terrorist activities."

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said, "The strikes were conducted after numerous advanced warnings issued by the IDF to the population in the area in order to mitigate the risk of harm to civilian population in the areas of these sites. Any hostile activity in these ports will continue to be prevented."

"The IDF is determined to continue to operate against threats posed to Israeli civilians, at any distance required."

It further noted that, over the past year and a half, the Houthi terrorist regime has been operating under Iranian direction and funding to harm the State of Israel and its allies, undermining regional stability and disrupting global freedom of navigation.

Senior Houthi official Nasr al-Din Amer declared, "We are in an open battle against Israel and we will not stop our attacks nor lift the siege on the Gulf of Eilat, and we will not cease our efforts to continue the aerial siege on Israeli airports. We will expand our military activity alongside the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza and its continued attacks against the ports of Yemen." (INN/VFI News)  

“Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.” - Deuteronomy 33:29

The Trump administration is in serious discussions regarding a plan to permanently relocate up to one million Gazans from the Gaza Strip to Libya, American media reported on Friday, May 16, citing five individuals with knowledge of the effort.

The proposal, if enacted, could involve the release of billions of dollars in US funds frozen for over a decade to Libya, the report stated.

Sources indicate that the administration has engaged in discussions with Libya's leadership regarding the resettlement plan. While no final agreement has been reached, Israel has reportedly been kept informed of these ongoing discussions.

Hamas stated it was unaware of any such discussions. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, firmly rejected the notion of relocation. "Palestinians are very rooted in their homeland, very strongly committed to the homeland and they are ready to fight up to the end and to sacrifice anything to defend their land, their homeland, their families, and the future of their children," Naim asserted, according to the American news outlet.

The news agency noted that the proposed relocation faces significant challenges, primarily due to Libya's deep instability. The North African nation has been embroiled in civil conflict for nearly 14 years since the ouster of Muammar Qaddafi, with two rival governments actively vying for control.

The report also cited that the logistics of moving and housing up to one million people – a figure equivalent to approximately 46 million people relocating within the United States relative to its population – would be immense and costly.  (INN/VFI News) 

In a secret and complex operation, the Mossad and the Strategic Intelligence Service have recovered the official Syrian archive on Eli Cohen, a Mossad agent who was publicly executed at Marjeh Square in Damascus on May 18th, 1965.

The operation was conducted adjacent to the 60th anniversary of Cohen's execution and is seen as one of the most sensitive operations to have been conducted in recent years. The objects were recovered after decades of being held by Syrian security forces under strict secrecy.

In a meeting on Sunday, May 18, attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea, original items from the archive were presented to Eli's widow, Nadia Cohen. Among the items was Cohen's original will, written hours before his death, as well as personal belongings that were seized from his home following his arrest.

The archive included 2,500 items, including documents, recordings, photos, personal letters, and journals. Many of the items were revealed to the public for the first time and constitute a detailed account of Cohen's activities and his interrogation by Syrian intelligence.

Among the items are the keys to Cohen's apartment in Damascus, forged identification documents which he used, and many photos from the time of his intelligence activities, including documentation of him with senior Syrian military and government officials. Journals that were taken from his home include documentation of his Mossad tasks, including surveillance and the collection of intelligence on Syrian military bases. (INN/VFI News)

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories accepted around $20,000 in payment from pro-Hamas groups to fund her trips to Australia and New Zealand in late 2023, UN Watch reported on Wednesday, May 14.

Francesca Albanese’s mandate was renewed last month despite extensive opposition from the US, Israel, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Hungary. When asked about her trip to Australia in November 2023, Albanese said it was funded by the UN. 

In July, she said she had nothing to hide and welcomed an inquiry into the matter. However, the UN Watch NGO revealed that her trip was funded by several groups, including the Australian Friends of Palestine Association (AFPA), Free Palestine Melbourne, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), and Palestinian Christians in Australia.

AFPA publicly announced on its website that it paid for Albanese’s visit to Australia. The group has expressed pro-Hamas views in the past. UN Watch reported that it posted a video in which a woman reads the will of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, chief orchestrator of the October 7 massacre, describing it as “moving” and “like poetry in Arabic.” The will includes calls to honor the blood of martyrs and a commitment to armed struggle. (JPost/VFI News) 

Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers. - Psalm 1:1

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

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