VFI News About 50 Israeli Hostages Dead, Iran Trained 500 Hamas Terrorists Before They Attacked Israel

Dear readers, please join us as we offer our sincerest condolences to all who mourn the deaths of the Israeli hostages and we pray that the Lord will deliver justice for the losses you have experienced. We continue to pray for an end to the hostilities currently taking place in Israel and for the safe return of the surviving hostages. May the Lord our God bring peace and guide our leaders into making the best decisions for the welfare of all the innocent citizens residing in our country.

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.

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Israeli air strikes have killed approximately 50 Israeli hostages, Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obaida, wrote on the terrorist group's Telegram channel on Thursday, October 26. On Wednesday, Israeli media reported that the IDF revealed Abu Obaida's true identity as Hudhayfah Kahlot.

“Al-Qassam Brigades estimates that the number of Zionist prisoners killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Zionist bombing and massacres reached approximately 50 people,” the Telegram statement said.

The spokesperson did not give any further details and Israeli media have not been able to verify the numbers. Earlier this month, Hamas made a similar claim. One week after Hamas's deadly attack on southern Israel, the terrorist organization claimed that Israeli air strikes killed nine hostages, including four foreign nationals.

At the time, Hamas wrote on their Telegram channel that the captives were killed “because of the Zionist bombardment on the areas they were staying in.”

A subsequent Arabic report noted that those captives had been executed by Hamas. The report claimed that Hamas said the executions were revenge for Israeli bombings of Hamas military buildings. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, pray that You will avenge the death of the hostages who have been violently abducted by Hamas. We ask that You help their families learn the truth surrounding their deaths, that You comfort them, and that the terrorists will face the punishment they deserve. Please comfort all the people who are mourning their dead, heal the wounded, and protect and bring back the surviving hostages so they can return to their loved ones.”

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.

About 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists trained in Iran in the weeks leading up to the massacre of over 1,400 Israelis on October 7, American media reported.

According to intelligence sources, in the weeks preceding the massacre, hundreds of Hamas terrorists underwent special combat training in Iran. The training was held in September and was led by the Iranian Quds Force.

Several high-profile Palestinian and Iranian leaders reportedly attended the training drills, including the Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani.

The American newspaper also reported that according to American officials, there was no information that could link the specific training camp to the preparation for the massacre.

Iranian figures had previously warned Israel of a “shockwave by the resistance front if its atrocities do not stop in Gaza,” with deputy chief of the IRGC Ali Fadavi saying Iran could launch a missile at Haifa “without hesitation.” (INN / VFI News)

“The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.” - Psalm 94:21

In the past few days, IDF fighter jets struck 250 targets belonging to the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip. Among the targets that were struck were terrorist infrastructure, operational headquarters, terror tunnel shafts, and rocket launch pads placed in civilian areas from which missiles were launched at Israel.

In addition, the Navy struck a Hamas surface-to-air missile launch pad near Khan Yunis. The launch pad was situated next to a mosque and a preschool.

Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit declared that Hamas is continuing to prevent residents of the Gaza Strip from moving to a safe area on Thursday, October 26.

In a recorded conversation distributed by the IDF spokesperson between an officer and a resident of the Gaza Strip, the resident argues that he cannot move due to Hamas's blockades.

“All the roads are blocked,” he says, “people are walking, and they are just sent back home. They are shooting at people who want to leave.” (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that You ensure the safety of all innocent Gazan civilians who are currently in grave danger. We pray that they are either able to reach a secure haven or that they are allowed to remain in Gaza without additional risks. We pray for the quick elimination of the Hamas terrorist organization so that all citizens will be safe in Israel again and we ask that You free Gaza from Hamas.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the press following a meeting of the war cabinet at the IDF central headquarters. “All Hamas men are dead men walking, above ground, below it, in Gaza and abroad,” Netanyahu opened.

“Together with Defense Minister Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, the Chief of Staff, and the heads of the Defense Branches, we are working around the clock to reach the goals of the war, until victory, without political considerations,” he added.

“We eliminated thousands of terrorists, and that's only the beginning. We are preparing for a ground incursion. I will not specify how and how much, and what the considerations, most of which are not known to the public at all, are,” Netanyahu stated. “When we enter Gaza, we will take the full price from the Hamas-ISIS murders.”

For the first time, Netanyahu mentioned his responsibility for the failures that led to the war: “Citizens of Israel, we will investigate what happened thoroughly. The failures will be checked thoroughly. Everyone will have to give answers. Myself included. But that will happen afterward. As Prime Minister, I am responsible for ensuring the state's future.”

Regarding compensation for Gaza envelope residents whose homes were destroyed by the terrorists, he stated: “We will not leave anyone behind financially; we will raise the villages from the dust, and we will rehabilitate the communities.” (INN / VFI News)

“God, we pray that You grant our leaders mental clarity, decisiveness, and compassion while they are facing our nation’s enemies. We hope that they make the right decisions that will lead to the best results for every innocent civilian, as well as for the future of our country.”

Speaker Mike Johnson called up a resolution supporting Israel in his first action as leader of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 25. “The first bill I'm going to bring to this floor in a little while will be in support of our dear friend Israel and we are overdue in getting that done,” Johnson said as he accepted the speakership.

The House backed the resolution by 412 to 10, with six members voting “present,” reflecting traditional strong support in Congress for the Jewish state. The resolution states that the House of Representatives “stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.”

The resolution also calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ brutal war against Israel, and “calls on Hamas to immediately cease these violent attacks and safely release all living hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages.”

The resolution also condemns Iran’s support for terrorist groups and proxies, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, urges full enforcement of United States sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran’s funding of terrorist groups, and “stands ready to assist Israel with emergency resupply and other security, diplomatic, and intelligence support.”

The Johnson-led House must soon address a measure that would have the force of law. President Joe Biden asked Congress last week to pass a $106 billion funding package including billions of dollars in assistance for Ukraine, Taiwan, and border security in addition to $14.3 billion for Israel. (JPost / VFI News)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” - Proverbs 17:17

Israel stopped issuing visas to UN officials Wednesday, October 25, a day after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared to say Hamas’s murderous October 7 assault on southern Israel was brought on by Israeli occupation.

The development came as Israeli officials continued to rail against the UN chief and demand his apology or resignation, with a senior lawmaker branding his words “truly insane” and adding that they were fanning the flames of antisemitism.

An Israeli official confirmed the new visa policy to Israeli media on condition of anonymity, after Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan gave additional details in an interview: “Due to his remarks we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives,” Erdan said.

“We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson.”

During a UN Security Council meeting Tuesday on the Israel-Hamas war, Guterres said, “It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation … Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing.” (TOI / VFI News)

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” - Proverbs 12:26

A physical confrontation occurred on Wednesday, October 25, between Druze and Muslim high schoolers in the village of Maghar in northern Israel. The incident began as an argument between several Druze and Muslim students, apparently concerning the security situation and support for Israel.

The majority of Maghar residents are Druze, most of whom are patriotic Israelis who serve in the IDF. The village also has an Arab-Muslim and an Arab-Christian minority.

Former Minister Ayoub Qara praised the Druze student, stating, “Cheers to the Druze who acted quickly to halt the expressions of joy and support for the abominable murder committed by Hamas-ISIS. I call on my brothers from the Druze community in any place you find expressions of support for Hamas-ISIS, act quickly with force to take down the internal enemy until security forces arrive.”

On a similar note, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps recently stated that Israel has the right to go after Hamas. More specifically, on Wednesday he suggested that asking Israel to reach a ceasefire with Hamas is “untenable”, adding that Israel has “a right” to “go after” Hamas.

Shapps noted that he agreed with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that it was “very important that we can deliver that [humanitarian] aid” to the Strip. “The difference is we understand that Israel was attacked in a very brutal way by Hamas terrorists, butchering men, women, and children ISIS-style,” he told British media. (INN / VFI News)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’ ” - Psalm 122:6

Thousands of Judea and Samaria Palestinians with work permits allowing them to work in Israel are staying home in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Israel has placed a complete closure on the Judea and Samaria checkpoints, blocking the entry of Palestinian workers. If prolonged, the closure may result in losses in the billions of shekels and spell disaster for an already ailing economy.

The Israeli military regularly imposes a ban on Palestinian workers’ entry to Israel after major attacks on Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria or following an attack inside Israel, but those closures typically don’t last long. In this case, though, many workers fear that the closure will last a long while.

Israel says security reasons are behind its decision not to allow Palestinian workers into the country. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, about 140,000 Judea and Samaria Palestinians worked in Israel in the first and second quarters of 2023. Most work in agriculture or construction. (JPost /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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