VFI News IDF Eliminates the Terrorist Who Drove Noa Argamani into Gaza as Iran Threatens a 'Doomsday War'

The IDF confirmed the elimination of the terrorist who drove Noa Argamani into Gaza on October 7 — justice reached him in a Nuseirat airstrike. Here's what happened.

The IDF and Shin Bet are systematically hunting down every terrorist involved in the October 7 massacre — and this week, two more were eliminated. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister is threatening a "doomsday war" while Belgium links Iran directly to coordinated attacks on Jewish targets across Europe. We're covering all of it through news, prayer, and biblical perspective on VFI News Midweek. Subscribe so you never miss a VFI News update — and share this with someone who needs to know what's happening in Israel right now.

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Moadim L'Simcha! As the Feast of Tabernacles continues through Saturday, October 3, all of us at Vision for Israel wish you a joyful Sukkot. May this season remind us that the Lord dwelt with His people in the wilderness and dwells with us still, and may His provision and protection continue to be over Israel and your home. Chag Sameach!

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The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed on Sunday, September 27, that Saher Nidal Latfi Saqr, the terrorist filmed riding the motorcycle that carried Noa Argamani into the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, was eliminated in an airstrike on the Nuseirat area of central Gaza on Saturday, September 26. The strike was carried out together with Gideonim Unit 33 of the police's Lahav 433 division. Saqr was a terrorist operative affiliated with global jihadist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, and he supplied weapons to Hamas during the war.

“Saqr infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7th Massacre and drove the motorcycle used to abduct Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or from the Nova music festival into the Gaza Strip,” the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement. Before the strike, Saqr had been advancing attacks on IDF troops and Israeli civilians with operatives from the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, “in systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement,” and he was eliminated in an aerial strike to remove the threat he posed. Argamani was abducted from the Nova festival alongside her boyfriend, Avinatan Or; after eight months in captivity, she was rescued during Operation Arnon and became a vocal advocate for the hostages’ release.

The IDF stressed that prior to the strike, measures were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance. Security forces under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat. Saqr’s elimination is the latest in a series announced by the IDF and Shin Bet as the defense establishment pursues those involved in the October 7 massacre and the abduction of Israelis. Following the massacre, a dedicated command center bringing together intelligence personnel from various units was established to locate the terrorists and act against them. (INN/VFI News)

“Dear Lord, we pray in Yeshua’s Name that You continue to guide our security forces as they pursue every terrorist who took part in the October 7 massacre. We thank You for the rescue of Noa Argamani and for protecting our soldiers in Gaza. We ask that You bring healing to Noa, Avinatan, and every family still carrying the wounds of that day. Please guard our troops on every front and grant them wisdom, precision, and strength in Your service.”

The IDF struck in the Gaza City area and eliminated Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Awad, a commander in Hamas’s military wing, over the weekend preceding the military’s announcement of the strike on Thursday, September 24. The military identified him as a commander who helped hold seven Israelis captive in a Gaza tunnel, planned new attacks, and worked to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities. He was eliminated in an aerial strike in order to remove the threat he posed.

“Throughout the war, the terrorist took part in holding the hostages Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, and Eitan Mor in an underground tunnel in the Gaza City area,” the IDF revealed. In the period before the strike, Awad planned and advanced terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians and operated to restore the terrorist organization’s capabilities. The IDF said this was done in systematic violation of the ceasefire.

The IDF stressed that prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance. “IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement,” the military said. They “will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat.” (INN/VFI News)

“Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” – Proverbs 11:21

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday, September 27, that Iran is fully prepared for renewed military confrontation with the United States, including what he described as a “doomsday war,” while maintaining that Tehran remains willing to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Washington. In a US television interview, Araghchi addressed President Donald Trump’s rejection of an Iranian seven-day proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring normal activity in the Persian Gulf. He said Tehran was prepared to reopen the strategic waterway in exchange for the release of frozen Iranian assets, the removal of restrictions on Iranian oil sales, and an end to the war.

Araghchi said the proposed arrangement would allow the United States to complete the requested measures within four or five days, followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day and the resumption of negotiations toward a final agreement on the seventh. Despite Trump’s public rejection, he said Iran was still awaiting an official American response through mediators. Asked whether he trusted the president, Araghchi replied, “Well, we trust ourselves. We are ready for diplomacy. We are ready for war at the same time.”

Questioned about reports that Trump could resume military strikes against Iran following the US midterm elections, Araghchi declared, “We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed. And I repeat, we stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war.” He claimed Iran had adjusted its military approach following previous confrontations, saying, “We have learned our lesson from the two previous wars, and we have corrected our tactics.” On Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, far above civilian needs, he insisted the material was intended exclusively for peaceful purposes and said Tehran preferred to postpone discussion of its nuclear program until later stages of negotiations. (INN/VFI News)

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” – Psalm 27:3

A top Belgian security official has said an Iranian-led effort was behind a series of attacks targeting Jews in the country earlier in 2026. Speaking to Belgium’s public broadcaster on Thursday, September 24, Gert Vercauteren, head of the country’s Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis, said those behind a bomb attack on a synagogue in Liège and the torching of a car in Antwerp “certainly followed Iran’s call to strike Jewish and Israeli interests everywhere in the world.” No one was hurt in either attack.

Vercauteren said the attacks were part of a coordinated effort, not isolated cases, and that an individual later arrested in Turkey was leading the coordination of attacks in Europe. “There have been other interventions, and that is why, for now, we have not seen any more attacks inspired by Iran,” he said. Iran is believed to have boosted efforts to harm Jewish and Israeli targets around the world since Jerusalem and Washington launched their war against Tehran in late February 2026, leading to increased security for locations tied to Jews and Israel.

The blast at Liège’s Great Synagogue in March 2026 shattered windows and damaged the main door, and the Belgian government condemned it as a “despicable antisemitic act.” Several people were later detained, though no charges have been filed, and two teenagers were arrested later in March for the suspected antisemitic torching of the car in Antwerp. In several cases, claim-of-responsibility videos circulated on social media, shared by groups identified as pro-Iranian. (TOI/VFI News)

“Heavenly Father, we pray in Yeshua’s Name that You watch over the Jewish communities of Belgium and all of Europe as Iran’s proxies seek to harm them. We thank You for the security services who uncovered this network and for the fact that no one was hurt in these attacks. We ask that You expose every plot before it can be carried out and give wisdom to those who guard synagogues, schools, and Jewish neighborhoods. Please turn the hearts of those who plan such violence, and grant Your people peace and safety in the countries they live.”

Join us on a captivating journey as we delve into the rich history and spiritual depth of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Explore the customs, traditions, and the enduring message behind this ancient Jewish holiday. Uncover the meaning of the Sukkah, the festive decorations, and the prophetic significance of Sukkot in the modern world. Dive into this engaging exploration of faith and tradition as we celebrate the season of Sukkot together.

Israel on Sunday, September 27, gave Dutch diplomats serving in Ramallah seven days to return their Israeli-issued diplomatic credentials, retaliating after a Dutch ban on goods from Israeli businesses in Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights went into effect. Their diplomatic privileges granted by Israel will expire at the end of that period, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on X. “If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians,” Sa’ar wrote, “it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory, rather than from the territory of the State of Israel.”

“Israel will not ignore measures intended to harm it,” Sa’ar continued. “Any country that acts in a hostile and unilateral manner against Israel will lose influence and relevance in the region.” He also accused the Dutch government of failing to seriously address “growing antisemitism and incitement” in the country, and said its “anti-Israel policies” were fueling the phenomenon. An Israeli official called the announcement “a dramatic step.”

The move will not force the closure of the Dutch mission, but it will strip the diplomats of their ability to move freely through Judea and Samaria and will potentially expose them to prosecution if they meet Palestinians involved with terrorism. The diplomatic move came days after the Netherlands began enforcing its new restrictions on goods from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, which took effect on Tuesday, September 22. Passengers who arrived in Amsterdam on an El Al flight from Tel Aviv reported that Dutch customs officials searched their luggage for products originating in those communities or the Golan Heights. (TOI/VFI News)

Ireland’s national soccer team bowed their heads as Israel’s anthem was played ahead of their UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Nations League match in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, September 27, and the players refused to shake hands or exchange pennants with their Israeli opponents, with Ireland winning 3-0 at the near-empty stadium. Israel’s delegation explained earlier that day that the Irish team had informed UEFA that its members would not shake hands, and that UEFA accepted this. Irish captain Dara O’Shea came to the pre-match talk with his hands clasped behind his back, shaking hands with the officials but not with Israel captain Manor Solomon.

The Irish players wore black armbands, as promised, in what their delegation claimed was a mark of respect for “all lives lost” in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The game, in which Israel were the nominal hosts, had been in doubt in the days before the match until Ireland’s players voted overwhelmingly to fulfill the fixture, despite pressure from back home to boycott the match. Only one player, backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, pulled out, and the Irish federation reserved no tickets for fans, while Ireland’s public broadcaster featured no studio panel, no analysis, and sold no advertising around its coverage.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Ireland before the match of being “on the wrong side of history,” recalling in a post on X that the Irish team of 1939 gave the Nazi salute ahead of a match against Germany in Bremen. “Ireland’s unique talent for finding itself on the wrong side of history remains intact,” he wrote. Solomon said after the game that the Irish players’ conduct did not interest him: “We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis.” Israel plays Kosovo on Thursday, October 1, and faces Ireland again in the return fixture on Sunday, October 4. (TOI/VFI News)

“Our Father in Heaven, we pray in Yeshua’s Name that You strengthen our national team as they face hostility on the field and stand tall as Israelis. We thank You for the pride and resolve they showed under pressure, and we ask that You give them focus and skill in the matches ahead. We pray that You would open the eyes of the Irish people and their leaders to the truth about Israel and soften hearts hardened by false narratives. Let every stadium where our anthem is played become a witness to Your faithfulness to Your people.”

When prompted with “how” questions that encourage step-by-step reasoning, 68 percent of children as young as second grade were able to devise plausible solutions to surprisingly sophisticated science questions, Israeli and Greek researchers have found. The peer-reviewed research, led by Prof. Michal Haskel-Ittah of the Weizmann Institute of Science’s Science Teaching Department, PhD student Yael Shtechman, and Prof. Marida Ergazaki of the University of Patras in Greece, showed that seven-year-olds could come up with detailed scientific explanations for biological phenomena if they were asked questions that fostered thinking about sequential physical processes. In contrast, traditional “why” questions often led children to focus on something’s function rather than developing deeper analytical thinking.

For example, when asked “how” a blowfish inflates, 68 percent of the study’s 50 children in second through sixth grade explained the process using a logical chain of cause, process, and effect. When they were asked “why” a blowfish inflates, the children offered simpler answers, such as to keep predators away. A majority of the children, including second graders, could produce explanations of the underlying factors and relationships behind biological phenomena, Haskel-Ittah said. “They didn’t always have the biological facts right, but the structure of their mechanistic thinking was there.”

By shifting the focus to how things work, the study, published in The Journal of the Learning Sciences, can offer a teaching strategy to help students improve their cause-and-effect thinking. “If kids are only praised for getting the answer right, they’ll learn to repeat what they’ve memorized,” Haskel-Ittah added. Drawing attention to how children arrived at an answer, even when it is not scientifically accurate, encourages good thinking processes, she said. (TOI/VFI News)

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

The Israel Allies Foundation has announced its 2026 list of Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies, naming the late Joni Lamb, co-founder and former president of the Daystar Television Network, as the top Christian ally of Israel for the year. The annual list, released in conjunction with the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) recognizes pastors, ministry leaders, and advocates for their public support for Israel, humanitarian efforts, and spiritual solidarity with the Jewish state. Lamb, who was named to the list posthumously following her passing in May 2026, used Daystar’s global platform and the Daystar House of Hope Israel initiative to provide aid to Holocaust survivors and mobilize prayer and practical support for Israel; in 2024 she received the Israel Allies Award for her support of Israel after the October 7 massacre.

Paula White-Cain, who leads the White House Faith Office and serves as a longtime spiritual advisor to US President Donald Trump, was ranked second. The foundation said White-Cain has emphasized Jerusalem’s significance in the Judeo-Christian faith and mobilized tens of thousands of faith leaders through the National Faith Advisory Board; she is the only person ranked first more than once since the list was launched. “In a time when support for Israel is often tested, these Christian leaders have chosen clarity, courage, and conviction,” said Josh Reinstein, president of the Israel Allies Foundation. “They lead not just in words alone, but by faithful action. Their example strengthens the bridge between our communities and advances the cause of faith-based diplomacy.”

The complete 2026 list includes pastors, broadcasters, organizational leaders, and other public figures from around the world whose activities have helped strengthen ties between Christian communities and the State of Israel. Among those on the 2026 list are Pastor Larry Huch, political commentator Scott Jennings, Erika Kirk, and soccer star Lionel Messi. The list was published on Friday, September 25, the day Sukkot began at sundown. (INN/VFI News)

“Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.” – Zechariah 14:16

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

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