VFI News Fri, May 12 — Palestinian Forces Fire Hundreds of Rockets against Israel | VFI News

In the midst of an escalating Middle East conflict, Israel finds itself facing a relentless barrage of Gaza rockets launched by Iranian-backed groups. The tension between Israel and Iran intensifies as the conflict unfolds, with both nations vying for control in the region.

Witness the harrowing reality as Israel battles against the relentless onslaught of Gaza rockets, revealing the deep-rooted complexities of the Middle East conflict. Stay informed on the latest developments as Israel, Iran, and the Gaza Strip become entangled in a high-stakes struggle for dominance in this volatile region.

#israel #israelnews #iran

A group consisting of various Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s rocket attacks against Israel. At least 270 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on Wednesday, May 10.

The group, called the Joint Room of the Palestinian Resistance Factions, said the rockets fired at Israel came in response to the assassination of three senior PIJ officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. Another 10 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the airstrikes.

“With the help and power of God Almighty, the Joint Room of the Palestinian Resistance Factions announces the implementation of Operation Revenge of the Free, which consisted of directing a large missile strike with hundreds of missiles on the enemy’s sites, settlements and targets,” the group said in a statement hours after the first rockets were fired into Israel.

The group warned that “targeting civilian homes, assaulting our people, and assassinating our men and heroes is a red line that will be confronted with all force.”

Sources in the Gaza Strip said the rocket attacks were carried out in coordination between Hamas and PIJ. According to the sources, Hamas did not want to claim responsibility alone for the attacks but preferred to do so through the group representing several factions. “Hamas wants to make it appear as if the decision to fire the rockets was taken by a number of factions, and not one group,” the sources said.

The Israeli Air Force's David's Sling missile system successfully shot down a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel's Gush Dan region for the first time since its introduction to the IDF's arsenal, according to Israeli reports. (JPost / VFI News)

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” - Psalm 91:5

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.

Islamic Jihad has reached out through neutral third parties to seek a possible ceasefire on Wednesday evening, Israeli media confirmed from defense sources late Wednesday, May 10. The ceasefire is expected to go into effect at 9:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday night.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen confirmed that a ceasefire proposal was sent by Egypt and is under consideration by the defense establishment.

Previously, there were unconfirmed reports in Arab media that Egypt, Qatar, and the UN were making progress with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, as well as with Islamic Jihad's remaining senior officials.

Palestinian sources told various Egyptian media that a ceasefire is likely to come into effect by Wednesday evening after an agreement was reached between PIJ and Israel following mediation by Cairo.

An Israeli source further told media that Islamic Jihad pushed on the Egyptians to conclude ceasefire negotiations after failing to record an achievement from the recent round of rocket barrages aimed at southern and central Israel. (JPost/VFI News)

“God, we ask for the cessation of hostilities throughout Israel and the protection of our people. We pray that there are no injured civilians and that everyone will be able to continue their lives as usual, without any psychological or physical damage.”

The IDF overnight Monday, May 8, announced the beginning of Operation Shield and Arrow, as part of which the IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) targeted the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization’s Northern Gaza Division Commanding Officer; a senior operative and coordinator of terrorism in Judea and Samaria from Gaza; and the Secretary of the Military Council.

One of the terrorists who were eliminated is Khalil Bahitini, responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel in the past month. Bahitini was the senior operational officer of Islamic Jihad, the commander of the Northern Gaza Division, and had direct and active contact with senior members of the Islamic Jihad’s Political Bureau.

The second senior Islamic Jihad terrorist to be eliminated was Tarek Az Aldin, who directed Islamic Jihad operations in Judea and Samaria from Gaza. Recently, he was planning and directing multiple attacks against Israeli civilians.

Also eliminated was Jahed Ahnam, Secretary of Cooperation for the terrorist organization in Gaza. Ahnam, 62, resided in Rafiah, was one of the most senior members of the organization. In his last position, he was entrusted with coordinating weapons and money transfers between the Hamas terrorist organization and the Islamic Jihad.

Furthermore, the IDF targeted additional terrorist targets belonging to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command instructed residents of the communities near the border with the Gaza Strip to remain in the vicinity of shelters until further notice. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we thank You for always assisting our defense forces in protecting Israeli citizens. We are immensely grateful that they captured and eliminated dangerous terrorists that have wreaked havoc in Israel so that similar tragedies will not be repeated.”

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Israel Katz on Tuesday, May 9, issued a warning to the Hamas terrorist organization against joining in the firing on Israel following the elimination of senior members of the Islamic Jihad.

"There is a clear message here to Hamas - if you join in the violence and the firing, [Yahya] Sinwar and [Mohammed] Deif, they will be the first targets we will work to eliminate," Katz told Israeli media.

"[Monday night’s elimination of Islamic Jihad leaders] was an exceptional action carried out by the defense establishment and the IDF with the backing of the Shin Bet."

"The decision was made a week ago immediately after the rocket fire on Sderot. The target was completely clear and the defense establishment gathered the intelligence material and prepared for an operation," he continued.

Katz added that "Our policy is very clear: we will not put up with harming Israeli citizens and we will not allow threats against them. If they try to harm us, they will be harmed much more severely."

Likud MK Boaz Bismuth also told Israeli media that the elimination of the three terrorists is not a new policy but something the IDF has done in the past.

“For terrorist organizations there, they don't need any excuse in order to try and kill us and to erase us from the Middle East and of course from our country, from our beloved Israel, so the timing, it’s not we who choose it. It's their ideology that chooses the timing.” (INN / VFI News)

“The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— He does not give them over to the desire of their foes.” - Psalm 41:2

For over 20 years, Vision for Israel has been providing backpacks filled with essential school supplies to underprivileged children in Israel. With a goal of providing 2,000 children with backpacks this year, your donation of $45 can make a significant impact in ensuring that no child is left behind in their education journey. Join us in making a difference and helping build a brighter future for Israel by supporting our Back-to-School Project today.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a press conference Tuesday evening, May 9, together with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar at the end of the cabinet meeting that dealt with Operation Shield and Arrow.

"This morning, the State of Israel carried out a decisive and justified action. In Operation Shield and Arrow, the IDF eliminated the senior leaders of the Islamic Jihad in Gaza. They are responsible for launching the rockets last week and directing many terrorist operations in Judea and Samaria," Netanyahu began.

He added, "In addition to this, we attacked the central terrorist infrastructure of Islamic Jihad in Gaza. I am speaking first and foremost about the destruction of weapons factories, ammunition, and rockets. Already a week ago, against the background of the missile attack on the Gaza periphery communities, I, together with the Minister of Defense, ordered our forces to strike the leaders of the terrorists who were responsible for the shooting."

"I understand very well the desire to immediately harm those who harm us, it is understandable and natural. But it has already been said that 'For by wise counsel shall you make war.' And this is how we act, we will always act against those who seek to take our lives, and we do it on our own terms - at a time and place of our choosing."

"Countermeasures became possible after a brilliant intelligence effort. We reached them at the same time in their hiding places. We make every effort to avoid harming the uninvolved. This is precisely the difference between us and our enemy, they seek to harm the innocent first on purpose, while we do everything to prevent this."

"While we deplore any harm to civilians, they celebrate any harm to small children, women, and men who have no part in the war effort. Our principle is clear, whoever harms us, we harm him." Netanyahu said. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we pray that terrorists will be stopped from committing further attacks against Israel. We pray that our defense forces will utilize plans of action, and we are thankful for their alertness and ability to protect our citizens. Most of all we pray that you will protect innocent lives on both sides and bring the evil ones to justice.”

Iran and allied proxy groups have been smuggling weapons into Syria concealed within aid shipments sent in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake earlier this year, American media reported Sunday, May 7.

The media outlet cited a classified US intelligence assessment that was shared on the online messaging platform Discord, where other sensitive American government documents have recently circulated. A suspect accused of leaking the files was charged last month.

According to the report, many of the weapons — among them small arms, ammunition, and drones — were brought in convoys from Iraq organized by Iran-backed militias there along with the Quds Force, the unit in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tasked with overseas operations.

The intelligence file indicated that Iran moved to swiftly exploit the February 7 earthquake, which killed tens of thousands in Syria and neighboring Turkey, as a day later an unspecified Iraqi militia group “allegedly orchestrated the transfer of rifles, ammunition and 30 [drones] hidden in aid convoys to support future attacks on US forces in Syria.”

It added that days later, a Quds Force officer told another Iraqi paramilitary to hide weapons “within legitimate earthquake aid.” Another Iranian officer was quoted saying that he had a list of “hundreds” of transport vehicles that crossed into Syria from Iraq since the earthquake. (TOI / VFI News)

“The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.” - Proverbs 21:10

A Jordanian parliamentarian arrested by Israeli authorities last month for attempting to smuggle over 200 firearms into the West Bank was released on Sunday, May 7, to face trial back home.

The Shin Bet security agency said MP Imad al-Adwan, detained at the Allenby Bridge border crossing on April 22, was handed over to Jordanian authorities for “further investigation and prosecution.” Al-Adwan was caught with 194 handguns and 12 assault rifles at the Allenby crossing as he was heading into the West Bank by car.

According to the Shin Bet investigation, al-Adwan had smuggled various types of contraband into the West Bank 12 times starting in February 2022. The illegal goods included birds, electronic cigarettes, and gold. This year, al-Adwan smuggled firearms into Israel several times before being caught in April.

Al-Adwan was released to Jordanian authorities on Sunday despite Israel and Jordan not having an extradition agreement. His parliamentary immunity was lifted, according to Jordanian media, enabling him to stand trial.

Jordanian authorities also detained several suspects in Jordan who were involved in the smuggling, the Shin Bet said.

Israel tried to avoid placing responsibility for the alleged smuggling attempt directly on Amman. “I don’t think that the episode is connected to Jordan in general, but to an irresponsible criminal act. I don’t want to assign guilt to the entire government or the entire parliament” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen last month in an interview (TOI / VFI News)

The man accused of killing eight people and wounding several others in a mass shooting at a suburban Dallas shopping mall researched when it was busiest and posted photos on social media in mid-April of a store near where he ultimately started his attack.

The posts by Mauricio Garcia on a Russian social networking site suggest the 33-year-old had been planning the attack for weeks before he stepped out of a silver sedan and opened fire Saturday, May 6.

Among the dead were two elementary school-age sisters, a couple and their 3-year-old son, and a security guard.

Garcia’s online activity also betrayed a fascination with white supremacy and mass shootings, which he described as a sport. Photos he posted showed large Nazi tattoos on his arm and torso, including a swastika and the SS lightning bolt logo of Hitler’s paramilitary forces.

Other posts indicated Garcia had researched when the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, one of the Dallas area’s most diverse suburbs, would be the busiest — Saturday afternoons, the time he carried out the massacre, which ended when police shot and killed him.

The online activity contributed to an emerging picture of the gunman Monday. He was discharged from the Army in 2008 because of mental health issues and apparently had been working as a security guard, according to neighbors and an Army official. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we pray for the swift recovery of the injured, as well as for the families of the Texas shooting victims, to whom we offer our heartfelt condolences. It is an unimaginable tragedy that requires immediate reparations to ensure such horrifying acts will never be permitted again. Let us hope that the victims will never be forgotten and that their memories will forever be honored.”

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!