VFI News Israel Strikes Houthis in Yemen After Missile Threat; Regional Tensions Widen

Israel Strikes Houthis in Yemen After Missile Threat; Regional Tensions Widen . . .

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/euvs_1iFghM

Israel launched airstrikes in Sanaa on Sunday, August 24, 2025, targeting sites near the presidential complex and multiple missile bases following a projectile fired toward Israeli territory on Friday, August 22. A security source confirmed the operation involved multiple aircraft flying a long-range mission to hit critical military infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

Initial assessments indicated the operation focused on compounds tied to command-and-control and missile storage, as well as facilities believed to support the group’s expanding arsenal. The strikes were also intended to send a deterrent message after a cluster-type warhead threatened Israeli population centers late last week.

Residents in the Yemeni capital described powerful explosions and plumes of smoke as the night sky lit up. Emergency services reported casualties and damage, though precise figures were difficult to verify amid the ongoing operation.

Israeli officials said the mission was a measured response aimed at degrading capabilities used to target Israel from long distance. They noted that Israel holds Iran responsible for the growing sophistication of Houthi munitions and warned that further aggression would be met with additional action.

The hours-long sortie underscored the widening regional battlefield as Israel seeks to curb threats emanating from multiple fronts. The air operation, over 2,000 kilometers from Israel, highlighted both the reach of the Israeli Air Force and Jerusalem’s resolve to limit cross-border attacks.

(JPost/VFI News)

“He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” – Psalm 121:4

A former senior officer in Israel’s Military Intelligence warned on Sunday, August 24, 2025, that Tehran is preparing for a “second round,” while Hezbollah positions itself for potential escalation. In a broadcast interview, he said Iran is attempting to rebuild deterrence and exploit perceived openings across the region.

He cautioned that the quiet of recent weeks should not be mistaken for de-escalation. Instead, intelligence indicators point to increased preparations by Iran’s network of proxies, from Lebanon to Syria and beyond. The official said that while Israel has degraded hostile capabilities, significant threats remain, particularly from precision missiles and drones.

The analyst also pointed to Syrian moves to revive a version of the 1974 separation-of-forces framework with Israel—a development that, he argued, could mask deeper deployments and entrenchment by Iranian-backed elements. He urged continued vigilance, rapid decision-making, and clear red lines to prevent miscalculation.

Hezbollah, he warned, has been cycling units, restoring stocks, and calibrating attacks to test Israel’s responses. The coming weeks, he suggested, will be critical to determine whether diplomacy can prevent wider conflict, or whether Israel will have to further degrade enemy capabilities to restore deterrence.

Ultimately, he concluded, Israel must prepare for multiple contingencies, even as it works with international partners to reduce the chance of a broad regional war.

(JPost/VFI News)

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” – Proverbs 21:31

President Donald Trump’s new deal in the South Caucasus has ended a decades-long conflict and, experts say, handed Washington a rare strategic foothold on Iran’s northern border. The agreement, signed earlier this month between Armenia and Azerbaijan, grants the U.S. a 99-year lease over the Zangezur Corridor — a narrow strip of land intended as a critical trade and energy route to Europe, bypassing Tehran entirely.

The corridor has long been at the center of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which displaced tens of thousands and fueled three decades of instability. By bringing both sides to the table, the deal creates a potential trade and security lifeline linking the Caspian Basin to Europe while circumventing Iran.

Branded by some as a “Route for Peace & Prosperity,” the agreement gives the U.S. a direct role in overseeing rail and road infrastructure, telecom networks, and energy pipelines running through the corridor. American firms would manage the artery and, supporters argue, reduce European reliance on both Russia and Iran.

Advocates frame the move as a loss for Tehran: diminished revenue and leverage as alternative east–west routes develop. They also say it could anchor a more stable security architecture in a region historically vulnerable to great-power competition.

Others believe the deal could have even broader implications for deterrence, energy markets, and Western influence in the Caucasus—potentially reshaping the strategic map around Iran’s northern frontier.

(Fox/VFI News)

Lord, we ask for true peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, protection for civilians, and wisdom for leaders stewarding this corridor. Restrain malign actors who seek to inflame the region, and let just agreements promote stability, prosperity, and freedom from violence. May righteous governance and cooperation triumph over hostility.

Saudi authorities announced the execution of Jalal bin Hassan bin Abdul Karim Labbad in the Eastern Province, saying he was convicted on terrorism charges including joining a foreign organization, killing a judge in Qatif, and using explosives against security forces. The execution was reported on Thursday, August 22, 2025.

Officials said Labbad’s case involved crimes dating back years, and that courts had reviewed the evidence through multiple stages of litigation. Advocacy groups had argued he was under 18 when some offenses were committed; international experts also weighed in earlier this year urging clemency in several similar cases.

The kingdom has faced criticism over its frequent use of capital punishment even as it seeks to broaden its global partnerships and attract investment and tourism. Observers say the tension between legal practices and international expectations remains a recurring challenge.

Rights monitors have documented a large number of executions in recent years, with totals on pace to exceed last year’s figure. Authorities insist penalties are applied within the framework of national law and aim to deter violent crime and terrorism.

The execution highlights the complex human rights and security debates playing out across the region, with ripple effects for diplomatic relationships and multilateral cooperation.

(INN/VFI News)

Father, we pray for justice that is fair and tempered with mercy. Comfort all families harmed by violence and terror, protect those vulnerable to exploitation, and grant wisdom to leaders who must balance security and human dignity. May righteousness prevail in the courts and in the streets.

Witness the installation of 7 brand-new bomb shelters strategically placed near the Lebanese border, offering critical protection during times of escalating tensions and potential threats. Gain insight into the significant impact these shelters have on safeguarding the local community and fostering resilience in the face of adversity. Join us on this remarkable journey as VFI makes a lasting difference in the lives of those living in this border region. Watch now and be inspired by the dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of all in the beautiful land of Israel.

Tens of thousands of Australians joined pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel rallies on Sunday, August 24, 2025, amid increasingly tense ties between Canberra and Jerusalem, with demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Gaza and sanctions on Israel.

Organizers said more than 40 protests took place across the country, including large turnouts in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Crowd estimates varied widely, with some claiming several hundred thousand participants nationwide and local police offering far smaller figures in some cities.

In Sydney, marchers — many carrying Palestinian flags — chanted for “freedom” as speakers demanded a halt to the fighting and economic penalties on Israel. The mobilization followed recent political shifts in Australia regarding recognition of Palestinian statehood and changes to diplomatic arrangements.

In Brisbane, a senator told the crowd that many were calling for peace, for sanctions similar to those imposed on Russia, and for an end to two-way arms trade. Some protest leaders expressed hope the turnout would influence government policy.

Communal leaders representing Australian Jewry warned that the rallies were creating an unsafe environment and urged authorities to ensure the safety of Jewish communities as public rhetoric intensifies.

(TOI/VFI News)

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

A US House committee opened a formal investigation into the National Education Association (NEA), citing concerns that the nation’s largest teachers’ union has contributed to antisemitism among members and in classrooms.

The probe was outlined in a letter to NEA president Rebecca Pringle from the Committee on Education and the Workforce, which requested documents and communications related to policies and actions touching on Israel and antisemitism. Lawmakers highlighted decisions made during the union’s 2025 Representative Assembly, as well as content in the union’s 2025 handbook.

Controversy intensified after the assembly voted in July to boycott materials from a major Jewish civil rights organization used in Holocaust education—a move later reversed under public pressure. Critics pointed to revised language that, they argued, downplayed Jewish suffering while elevating political narratives that vilify Israel.

The committee asked the union to provide records dating back to October 7, 2023, including materials tied to changes in the 2025 handbook and votes related to Israel, antisemitism, and classroom speech. Lawmakers said they are weighing potential legislation aimed at curbing antisemitic discrimination within labor unions and protecting students in federally funded schools.

The inquiry adds to a broader national debate over how antisemitism is defined and addressed in educational settings, and whether anti-Zionism is being used as a cover for hostility toward Jews.

(INN/VFI News)

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet.” – Isaiah 62:1

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a Palestinian state is not a priority for the current administration, urging European governments to reassess their approach and focus pressure on Hamas rather than Israel. Speaking in an interview published Thursday, August 22, 2025, he said the president has made it clear that decisions about Gaza’s future rest with Israel.

Huckabee criticized policies he said disrupt peace efforts and pointed to the failure of past initiatives. He argued that Hamas has no future role in Gaza and insisted that all hostages must be released. The comments came amid ongoing debates in world capitals about recognition of Palestinian statehood and the terms of any future settlement.

He added that expectations for ceasefire talks should be realistic, noting repeated patterns in which agreements falter as militant demands expand. Huckabee also emphasized unity around the goal of bringing hostages home, even as families differ on other issues.

(INN/VFI News)

Two Israeli tourists were hospitalized after an attack at the Center Parcs De Kempervennen holiday village near Eindhoven in the Netherlands. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 21, 2025, following an altercation that began during a recreational activity and spilled into a public area of the park.

Local authorities said a teenage suspect was detained at the scene on suspicion of assault as investigators worked to establish the full sequence of events and the involvement of additional individuals. The victims, aged 37 and 41, received medical treatment for their injuries.

The Israeli Embassy in The Hague condemned the attack and urged swift action to protect Israelis and Jews visiting the Netherlands. Community watchdogs likewise reported a broader pattern of harassment and intimidation aimed at Israeli tourists at leisure facilities this summer.

The episode drew strong reactions online as videos and photos circulated, with calls for accountability and for park operators to improve security protocols for guests.

(DM/VFI News)

Lord, bring swift healing to the injured and comfort to their families. Shield Jewish and Israeli travelers across Europe from hatred and violence. Strengthen authorities to uphold justice without fear or favor, and inspire communities to stand against antisemitism in all its forms.

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

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