VFI News Hamas Moves Hostages Above Ground as IDF Prepares Gaza City Push

Hamas Moves Hostages Above Ground as IDF Prepares Gaza City Push . . .

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Israel is on edge as Hamas moves hostages above ground in Gaza City, forcing the IDF to weigh every step of its upcoming ground offensive. Israeli intelligence reports that Hamas is using homes and tents to shield captives and complicate military operations, a tactic described as a “legitimacy ambush” meant to slow the advance and increase international pressure. The IDF is striking high-rise buildings used as command posts, targeting Hamas infrastructure while urging civilians to evacuate designated combat zones. Tension is rising after a deadly terror attack at Jerusalem’s Ramot Junction left seven dead, sparking Operation Jerusalem Shield, with dozens of suspects arrested and weapons seized across Judea and Samaria. Families of hostages continue to demand a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, warning that every delay puts lives at risk. This week also brought shocking new data showing 73% of Jewish college faculty in the U.S. have witnessed antisemitism, as well as Israel’s unveiling of a massive online archaeology database and a remarkable recovery story of a wounded IDF soldier walking again thanks to cutting-edge exoskeleton technology. Stay informed on Israel, Gaza, Hamas, and the latest Middle East updates.

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Israeli assessments indicate that Hamas has shifted some hostages into homes and tented areas above ground in Gaza City as the Israel Defense Forces intensify pressure around the metropolis. The move appears designed to complicate urban maneuvering, slow evacuation corridors, and raise the risk to noncombatants should the army press a deeper incursion. Briefings describe this as part of a broader “legitimacy ambush,” leveraging civilian proximity to deter operations and amplify international scrutiny at a crucial moment in the campaign.

The redeployments reportedly coincide with intensified strikes and shaping actions aimed at degrading Hamas positions ahead of an expected ground phase. Placing hostages amid dense residential zones could leave commanders weighing every advance against potential harm to captives and bystanders. It also signals that Hamas is preparing to fight within populated districts while attempting to maximize political fallout from any collateral damage.

The IDF has continued to urge civilians to move out of designated combat areas and has reiterated that responsibility for the hostages’ welfare lies with the captor organization. For families, the reports heighten anxiety about the remaining captives’ safety as Gaza City braces for further escalation and negotiations remain fragile.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Lord, protect the hostages and rescue them from harm. Grant wisdom to decision-makers and commanders as they weigh life-and-death choices, and shield the innocent in every neighborhood. We ask You to make a way where there seems to be no way, bringing deliverance, clarity, and mercy to all who wait in hope.”

The Israel Defense Forces broadened strikes against additional high-rise structures in Gaza City, following evacuation advisories to residents in the Gaza Port area and the southern al-Rimal neighborhood. Military officials say these towers were used for observation, command posts, and other hostile functions embedded within civilian zones. The campaign aims to disrupt battlefield awareness and degrade the enemy’s ability to coordinate fire as the IDF shapes the arena for further ground action.

Footage from the area showed heavy plumes of smoke rising over multiple districts while sirens sounded and residents fled. The military framed the strikes as part of a systematic effort to dismantle Hamas’s urban infrastructure, emphasizing that warnings preceded the operations to allow civilians to leave designated buildings. With pressure building inside and around Gaza City, residents have moved through corridors where possible, even as sporadic clashes and explosions continue.

These actions come amid heightened diplomatic and regional tensions, with actors weighing the costs and consequences of an intensified battle in the most congested theaters. The days ahead are expected to bring continued aerial activity and renewed calls for humanitarian mitigation measures, as the IDF seeks to erode command hubs without entangling civilians.

(JPost/VFI News)

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” – Psalm 20:1

On Monday, September 8, 2025, two terrorists opened fire at the Ramot Junction in Jerusalem, murdering seven people and wounding others before being neutralized by an armed IDF soldier on leave and a civilian yeshiva student. Witnesses described bursts of automatic fire targeted at a bus in traffic and a nearby hitchhiking stop, with shattered glass and chaos strewn across the roadway as medics rushed in to triage the wounded.

Authorities quickly sealed off access roads as large police and emergency teams converged on the scene. The attackers, believed to have come from a village near Ramallah, reportedly used a locally manufactured Carlo-type submachine gun produced in Judea and Samaria. In the hours after the assault, the IDF encircled neighboring villages and launched a broad search for potential accomplices while investigators worked to identify the shooters and reconstruct the attack timeline.

Hospitals received multiple victims in serious and moderate condition, while volunteers and first responders offered lifesaving care and comfort amid grief and shock. The city braced for additional security measures as families began to mourn loved ones lost in the sudden eruption of violence.

(INN/VFI News)

“Abba, Father, comfort those who mourn and heal the wounded in body, soul and spirit. Surround Jerusalem with Your peace, frustrate every plot of those who seek to harm the innocent, and strengthen those who protect the gates of the city. Let hope rise even in the shadow of tragedy.”

Security forces launched Operation Jerusalem Shield across the Binyamin sector and beyond, tightening a ring around villages linked to the recent deadly attack in Jerusalem. Troops detained dozens of wanted suspects tied to terror activity, mapped the homes of involved operatives, and expanded searches to hundreds of sites across Judea and Samaria. Along the way, forces located and seized improvised weapons, firearm components, cartridges, and military equipment, as well as ISIS flags and terror funds.

Parallel enforcement by the Civil Administration targeted illegal construction in known hotbeds of activity, with additional brigades operating in the Sanur Valley, Qabatiya, the Jenin sector, and villages near Mahmosh. Several terrorists were eliminated in exchanges of fire, others arrested, and multiple residences tied to operatives were demolished following security reviews. The seized materiel and detainees were transferred for further investigation by the police and the Shin Bet.

Commanders described the multi-day push as a focused effort to cut off staging grounds and logistics that enable attacks inside Israel. Roadblocks, encirclements, and sweeping checks choked movement for armed cells while minimizing disruption for everyday residents as much as possible amid the heightened alert.

(INN/VFI News)

“God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we ask for Your protection over our soldiers and first responders. Guard them from ambush and deception, and let their actions prevent future bloodshed. Grant peace to communities in Judea and Samaria, and soften hearts so that violence gives way to safety and reconciliation.”

Discover the significance of Israel in the context of prophetic convergence. Learn about Israel's contributions to technology, innovation, and global relations, and explore biblical insights on the unity of Jew and Gentile. Join us on a journey to understand Israel's role in history and its continued influence on the world stage.

Families rallied in Tel Aviv and across the country on Saturday, September 13, 2025, urging leaders to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement and warning that a targeted strike in Doha days earlier had derailed fragile negotiations. Speakers in Hostages Square described fear for the 48 captives believed to remain in Gaza and accused the government of hesitating at critical moments. Emotional appeals pressed for an immediate path forward, insisting that every day without a deal increases the peril to those still in captivity.

Former captives and relatives emphasized the moral duty to bring home the living and the fallen, recounting interrupted deals and missed opportunities that compounded anguish. From the stage, family members questioned official priorities and asked how anyone could accept the risk of receiving coffins instead of reunions. Their message echoed through large crowds: end the standoff, salvage talks, and avoid steps that could further endanger the captives.

Officials continued preparations for intensified military action around Gaza City even as demonstrators warned that expanded operations could heighten risks for those held in densely populated districts. The night ended with vows to keep public pressure high until a workable agreement is reached.

(TOI/VFI News)

A new survey of Jewish college employees reports that more than seven in ten respondents observed antisemitic statements or actions from fellow faculty, administrators, or staff. Conducted in partnership with the Academic Engagement Network, the study gathered responses from over two hundred current or former Jewish employees at U.S. institutions. Many described patterns of exclusion and intimidation tied to perceived or explicit support for Israel, with some noting departmental climates openly hostile to Zionist identity.

Respondents also cited the presence of Faculty for Justice in Palestine chapters on their campuses, describing anti-Israel programming, protests, and divestment campaigns. Several accounts detailed professional and social repercussions for Jewish faculty, including pressure to remain silent during contentious debates and fear of retaliation when reporting incidents. The findings add to a broader picture of rising hostility in academic settings and the urgent need for safeguards.

The report’s authors argue that university leaders must enforce existing codes of conduct and ensure that faculty and students can participate in campus life without harassment. The data points to a widening gap between institutional policies and on-the-ground realities, underscoring the importance of clear standards, transparent processes, and accountability for violations.

(NYP/VFI News)

“‘No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.’” – Isaiah 54:17

Israel has launched a comprehensive online repository that brings together millions of records related to the land’s ancient past. The platform features detailed entries on sites and artifacts, accompanied by photographs, excavation reports, and thousands of 3D models, all accessible for search and study. Experts describe it as one of the world’s largest archaeology databases, designed to serve both scholars and enthusiasts by centralizing materials once scattered across archives and institutions.

The initial release already features more than 3.9 million records and nearly a million artifacts, supported by over 1.2 million images and upwards of 15,000 three-dimensional models. With smart filters, users can explore periods, locations, and artifact types, opening discoveries to a global audience and classrooms far beyond Israel’s borders. The project marks a milestone in public access to the country’s cultural heritage and offers a foundation for new research collaborations.

Curators say the resource will continue to grow as additional collections are digitized and uploaded, preserving fragile archives while inviting fresh questions about the past. For many Israelis and lovers of the Bible, the database is more than a technical feat—it is a living window into the stones and stories that have shaped a people.

(TOI/VFI News)

“For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.” – Psalm 102:14

A wounded IDF soldier is back on his feet with the help of a next-generation exoskeleton system, highlighting the relentless innovation of Israel’s medical community in wartime. Specialists at Sheba Medical Center tailored a rehabilitation regimen that pairs advanced robotics with intensive physical therapy, enabling the patient to relearn gait, balance, and endurance after devastating injuries sustained in combat.

Clinicians involved in the case noted that progress came in incremental milestones—first supported standing, then slow steps, and eventually controlled walking with the device. The approach reflects years of investment in trauma care, neuro-rehabilitation, and assistive technologies that have transformed outcomes for many wounded soldiers and civilians alike. For the patient and family, the breakthrough represents renewed independence and hope following months of uncertainty.

The success story underscores the broader push within Israeli hospitals to innovate under pressure, using data-driven protocols and cross-disciplinary teams to return patients to meaningful lives. Beyond the individual victory, the case hints at future applications of wearable robotics for stroke survivors, spinal injuries, and others who face long roads to recovery.

(JPost/VFI News)

“‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 30:17

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

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