VFI News Hamas Reportedly Used U.N. Infrastructure to Hide Hostages; Gazans Accuse Hamas of Stealing Humanitarian Aid

What does a Trump presidency mean for Israel? With Donald J. Trump sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, major changes are already unfolding that could reshape U.S.-Israel relations.

From the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza to policy shifts on weapons transfers, sanctions, and terrorism designations, Trump’s early actions are making waves. How will these decisions impact Israel’s fight against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran? Will the ceasefire in Gaza hold, or is a new conflict on the horizon?

Dive into the key developments, including the release of Palestinian prisoners, IDF leadership changes, and Trump’s bold promises to support Israel during this critical time.

Don’t miss this detailed analysis of what’s next for Israel under Trump’s presidency.

#trumpinauguration #israelnews #ceasefire

Outrage is intensifying after Israeli hostages recently freed from Gaza revealed they were held in U.N. facilities during their captivity, with critics calling UNRWA a “front for Hamas” that must be “disbanded” immediately.  

The three Israeli women — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher — who were released on January 19, and endured nearly a year and a half of harrowing captivity, described being detained in United Nations facilities, including tent camps and humanitarian zones administered by the UNRWA, Israeli media reported. 

Additionally, reports indicate they were held at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The former hostages are now undergoing rehabilitation, following severe conditions that included long periods in underground confinement without sunlight. 

One woman recounted being subjected to a medical procedure without anesthesia, underscoring the inhumane treatment they faced. 

Critics took to social media to express outrage in response to the revelations. “We need to confirm @EliseStefanik as UN Ambassador ASAP and hold the UN accountable for this. It’s despicable that the @UN has still not condemned Hamas terrorists for holding three women hostage in UN shelters for civilians in Gaza,” wrote Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. 

“How we do know it was UNRWA? Because UNRWA told us. They boasted about it: ‘UNRWA runs all UN shelters,’” wrote Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch. (BB / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing the three hostages home and mediating the release of all of them shortly. We pray that You heal them from the emotional and physical wounds they have endured. We also pray that UNRWA will be held responsible for their part in allowing terrorists use their facilities. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You destroy the wickedness in this world and restore the hostages’ lives so they can live without the harrowing memories of what they have been through.”

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.

Despite over 2,400 aid trucks having entered the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on Sunday, January 19, Gaza residents say the aid is not reaching them and are accusing Hamas of diverting it and selling it, according to Thursday reports.  

“We don’t see any aid or goods at reasonable prices. Why?” lamented one resident, according to Israeli media.  Another said, “Hamas steals the aid and sells it to merchants, who then set exorbitant prices at the expense of our entire people.”  

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 897 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday alone, following 630 on Sunday and 915 on Monday. 

The ceasefire agreement mandates the daily entry of at least 600 aid trucks, including 50 carrying fuel, with half destined for northern Gaza. (NYP / VFI News)

“Dear Lord, we pray for all the Gazan civilians who have been severely afflicted during the war. We ask in Yeshua’s name that You take care of all their physical and mental needs and help them live in peace and dignity, without being exploited by the terrorists. Please, do not let them perish, but save their lives as well as their souls.”

President Trump re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) on Wednesday, January 22, four years after his first administration made an identical move. 

In an executive order signed on Wednesday, Trump said that the terrorist group “threaten[s] the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade.”  

“Supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), which arms and trains terrorist organizations worldwide, the Houthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times since 2023, endangering American men and women in uniform,” the order noted.  

Trump also documented the “numerous” attacks that the terrorist group has conducted over the years, including “multiple attacks on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia, the deadly January 2022 attacks on the United Arab Emirates, and more than 300 projectiles fired at Israel since October 2023.” (FN / VFI News) 

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

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, January 20, revoked the Biden administration’s Executive Order which applied sanctions on Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.

The rescinded orders were part of a mass reversal of Biden-era policies that Trump signed in the hours following his inauguration.

Last February, then-President Joe Biden signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to deal with the “threat posed by the situation in [Judea and Samaria], including in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction,” imposing sanctions on those who were considered to be involved in such actions.

Last week, days before the end of his term, Biden extended the order declaring a state of emergency in Judea and Samaria by another year, allowing for sanctions to be imposed on residents of the area.

Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had also stated during his confirmation hearing last week that the incoming administration plans to end the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. (INN / VFI News)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:32

Holocaust survivors in Israel live off very small stipends, and the cost of living in Israel can be a heavy burden on them. In special events that we organized for the survivors, they were able to choose from thousands of clothing items and received money vouchers to help them with their needs.

Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) will chair a key subcommittee on Middle East affairs, ascending to the role after campaigning as a resolute defender of Israel, American media has reported.  

The freshman senator will take up the gavel for the influential Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, according to sources familiar with the matter, which will be announced later by the full committee’s chairman James Risch (R-Idaho).  

“I am honored to chair a subcommittee on such critical issues,” McCormick told the American news outlet. “I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, expand the Abraham Accords, grow U.S.-India cooperation, and delve deeply into regional energy, economic, and security issues.” 

“I look forward to working with President Trump and my colleagues to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran, stamp down the terror threat, and realize his vision for a more peaceful Middle East,” he said.

The panel, which was headed up by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during the last Trump administration, oversees U.S. policy in the region, as well as its posture toward international organizations like the United Nations. Specifically, it focuses on “terrorism and non-proliferation,” “crime and illicit narcotics,” “US foreign assistance programs” and “the promotion of US trade and exports.” (NYP/VFI News)  

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” - Romans 13:1-2

Two Iranian cargo ships may be seeking to move key chemicals for missile propellants from China, British media reported on Wednesday, January 22.

The vessels could depart from China in the next few weeks, it said. The report is based on “intelligence from security officials in two Western countries.” This information appears to serve as a clear warning to Iran and China about these vessels.

According to the report, “The Iranian-flagged ships – the Golbon and the Jairan – are expected to carry more than 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate, which is used to make ammonium perchlorate, the main ingredient for solid propellant for missiles.”

Iran has suffered some setbacks in manufacturing missile propellants in the last year. An American news outlet reported in October that Israel had struck 12 “planetary mixers,” which British media said were “used to produce solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles.” (JPost/VFI News)

“Dear God, we pray that Iran is deterred from acquiring more military weapons and materials that can be used for destructive purposes. Please, protect us and all innocent civilians from the state’s malicious plans and keep us safe amidst the chaos. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You keep Your loving Hand above the Middle East and ensure the security of the vulnerable and the defenseless.”

Hundreds of Palestinians are reportedly making pilgrimages to the neighborhood in Rafah where Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in October, turning the ruined building where he died into an impromptu shrine. The owners of the property say they might turn it into an actual shrine or museum. 

Sinwar was killed on October 16, 2024, while reportedly attempting to sneak out of Rafah with a few bodyguards and bags of cash. He had the misfortune of blundering into an Israeli military patrol that engaged his retinue without realizing who he was.  

Hamas has mythologized the death of its leader into a courageous act of “resistance” and defiance – and it is a mythology many Palestinians seem eager to buy into.  

Media reported on Wednesday, January 22, that “hundreds of visitors” have flocked to the neighborhood of Tel Al Sultan where Sinwar died and clambered over the rubble of the building where he was killed, treating the ruined house as a “symbol of honor and defiance.”  

Some residents have even spoken of renaming the area “Tel Al Sinwar” in tribute to the Hamas leader, while the owners of the ruined building are thinking of building a Sinwar museum. (BB/VFI News)

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.” - 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Twenty-one percent of U.S. voters support the Hamas terrorist group over Israel, according to a Harvard/Harris poll conducted as the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.  

One-quarter of U.S. Democrats supported Hamas, according to the survey released over the weekend. For Republicans, 19% backed the terror group, and for independent voters, the number was 20%, the survey said.  

Support for the terrorists was highest among 25- to 34-year-olds, at 32%. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 21% backed Hamas; in the 35-44 age group, 29%; in the 45-54 age group, 23%; in the 55-64 age group, 17%; and among those over 65, 10%.  

Eighty-two percent of respondents backed the ceasefire deal. Democrats were most in favor of the agreement, at 87%, followed by Republicans, 81%, and independents, 78%. Older voters were more supportive, with 64% of 18- to 24-year-olds in favor, versus 88% of those 65 and above.  

Among all voters, 57% believed Hamas agreed to the hostage deal because of the incoming Trump administration, and 43% credited the Biden administration. (TOI /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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