VFI News May 17 - Hamas Rockets Damage Sderot Houses Amid Reports of Ceasefire Efforts

Two rockets hit houses in Sderot beside the Gaza border just as Hamas reportedly said that it is prepared for a "reciprocal ceasefire" as rocket barrages continued to slam into southern Israel on Friday.

One rocket hit a home directly and caused extensive damage to two additional homes in the neighborhood, with no injuries reported.

Another rocket that hit Sderot damaged a store in the city.

A top Hamas official said the group is ready for a "reciprocal" ceasefire if the international community pressures Israel to "suppress military actions" on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (JPost / VFI News)

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways. - Proverbs 3:31

"Lord, we ask for Your continued protection over the people of Israel at this time. We also ask that you protect the innocent lives on the Palestinian side and that You would bring a quick resolution to this conflict".

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.

The Israeli Air Force bombed Hamas's underground tunnel network late Thursday night in the northern Gaza Strip in what military officials said was one of the most aggressive aerial assaults in recent years.

They bombed an additional tunnel shaft in the southern Gaza Strip which was located near a kindergarten and a mosque, on Friday evening. According to a statement issued by IDF Spokesperson, this tunnel shaft is just one of the ways in which Hamas continues to endanger their civilian population with their military assets.

A high-rise building that housed a branch of Hamas' Palestinian production bank, in the north of the Gaza Strip was destroyed by IDF forces late on Friday afternoon. (JPost / VFI News)

Heavy and continuous rocket barrages were launched this evening (Thursday) at communities in the south of the country, including Be'er Sheva, the Bedouin settlements, and the Gaza periphery.

In response, Defense Minister Benny Gantz authorized the IDF to call up another 9,000 reservists per the operational needs, after an assessment of the security situation.

The reservists are part of combat units and will be called upon to assist in Operation Guardian of the Walls. They will be stationed in the Southern Command as well as in the Central Command and the Northern Command, in place of forces that have been relocated to other missions. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you keep the Millennium Center and all VFI staff and volunteers safe from the threat of attack.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-MN, and other members of the left-wing "Squad" are facing backlash for their tweets amid intensifying violence between Israel and Hamas this week.

Republican lawmakers and pro-Israel groups are pushing back against remarks by the progressive group that appeared to blame Israel for the violence.

In a Twitter post on Monday, Omar wrote: "Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism. Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians. It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid."

According to Israeli Defense Forces Lt. Colonel Jonathan Conricus, over 1,100 rockets were launched by Hamas into Israel over the last few days. Israeli counteroffensives targeted Hamas and the Islamic Jihad military complexes in Gaza. (Fox / VFI News)

During this chaotic time for Israel, the struggle to save lives is pulled into sharp focus. The need for lifesaving emergency equipment and vehicles has never been higher. Will you help us save and protect the lives of Israelis in danger?

Please direct any support you can through the link below—where your blessings flow directly to the front lines of this conflict.

https://www.visionforisrael.com/en/donate

A massive barrage of rockets was fired from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip towards central Israel Thursday night, including a large number of rockets launched towards the area surrounding Ben Gurion International Airport.

Warning sirens were sounded across southern and central Israel Thursday night, including in cities and towns in the vicinity of Israel’s largest airport, such as Modi’in, Lod, Ramle, Ben Shemen, Mevo Modi’im, Be’er Yaakov, Kfar Daniel, and Achisamach.

Heavy rocket fire was also directed at Ashdod, Ashkelon, and nearby towns.

Earlier on Thursday, multiple rockets were fired from southwestern Lebanon towards Israel.

An IDF spokesperson said that three rockets had been observed being launched from southern Lebanon towards the coast of northern Israel. (INN / VFI News)

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

Iran has enriched uranium to 63-percent purity, higher than the 60% it has announced, which is already way beyond the 3.67% allowed under the 2015 nuclear deal, a report said Tuesday, citing a document by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“According to Iran, fluctuations of the enrichment levels… were experienced,” the UN nuclear watchdog said in a confidential report.

“The agency’s analysis of the ES [environmental samples] taken on 22 April 2021 shows an enrichment level of up to 63% U-235, which is consistent with the fluctuations of the enrichment levels [described by Iran],” the document said. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, please continue to protect your people from the threat of nuclear war.”

A group of 43 Republican senators called on President Joe Biden on Wednesday to end negotiations with Iran and deny any sanction relief to the Islamic Republic, citing its ties with Hamas. Senator Marco Rubio led the letter.

“Over the past couple days, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, who are funded by Iran, have launched a series of rocket attacks into Israel,” the letter reads. “They are targeting Israeli civilians and cities, including Israel’s capital Jerusalem. This is troubling as members of your administration are currently in Vienna negotiating with Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.”

They noted that Palestinian terrorist groups launched more than 1,000 rockets targeting Israel over the last few days alone. “This includes the first rockets aimed at Jerusalem since 2014. While the United States and countries around the world condemned these rocket attacks, Iran resoundingly supports this aggression.” (JPost / VFI News)

Germany on Thursday vowed “unwavering” protection of its synagogues after scattered demonstrations over the escalating military conflict between Israel and Gaza-based terror groups saw protesters shout anti-Israeli slogans and burn Israeli flags.

“There must be no tolerance for attacks against synagogues in our country,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Funke media group, pledging “unwavering security” for Jewish temples in Germany.

Last week, protesters burned Israeli flags outside synagogues in Muenster and Bonn in western Germany, with 16 people arrested. (TOI / VFI News)

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” - Leviticus 19:17-18

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