VFI News Missile from Yemen Successfully Intercepted; Israeli Delegation to Negotiate for the Hostages in Qatar

Benjamin Netanyahu is facing serious health challenges while continuing to lead Israel through one of its most turbulent periods. Many are now asking if time is running out for the Prime Minister and what his potential absence could mean for the future of the nation. This week’s update dives into the latest on Netanyahu’s recovery, the ongoing hostage negotiations in Gaza, escalating threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and Israel’s economic struggles amid shifting population trends.

We also explore the prophetic implications of these events and how you can pray for Israel during this critical season. Join us as we connect breaking Middle East news with biblical prophecy and provide insights to inspire your prayers and support.

➡️ Visit VisionforIsrael.com to learn how you can stand with Israel during these challenging times.

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Dear Lord, as we have entered the new year, we express our deep gratitude for Your immense Love, care, and protection. We thank You for who You are, for creating us, for giving us the promise of salvation through Your Son, Yeshua, and for protecting us so many times throughout our lives. We thank You for the people and country of Israel, and all the gifts You have so generously given us.  We ask that in this new year, You will bring the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and bring peace to our region. In Yeshua’s name we pray, amen.

Sirens were activated on Monday evening, December 30, in dozens of cities in central Israel, after a missile was launched from Yemen towards Israel.  

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in Central Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF prior to crossing into Israeli territory.”  

It added that sirens were sounded due to the possibility of falling fragments from the interception. Pieces from the interception were found in the cities of Beit Shemesh and Rehovot. About 25 minutes after the sirens departures and arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport resumed after being halted.  

During the siren, an 18-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle while on her way to a shelter in Yavne. Medics and paramedics from Magen David Adom provided her with medical treatment and evacuated her to Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot, where she was listed in light condition.  

Tel Aviv District police conducted additional operational searches in the area following reports, to locate and isolate impact zones, if any, to assist the public. (INN / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we are immensely grateful for Your continual love and protection. We thank You for the defense personnel who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the civilians and we pray in Yeshua’s name that You grant them strength and sustain them. We also pray for the young girl who was injured while on the road. May You heal her completely, comfort her, and make Your face shine upon her.”

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.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, addressed the Security Council and responded harshly to the ballistic missile attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis against Israel.  

At Israel’s request, the UN Security Council convened on Monday, December 30, for an emergency session on the Iran-backed Houthi attacks against Israel. 

Ambassador Danon said: “The Houthis fired missiles at the school where I attended as a child – my school, in my city. This is terrorism against children.”  

He turned to the Security Council representatives and asked: “What would you do if it were your child? Your school? Your city? If you didn’t speak up when our schools were hit, don’t speak up when we respond … Don’t demand ‘restraint’ from a nation protecting its children.” 

Ambassador Danon presented a map showing the distance between Israel and Yemen and added: “Israel does not share a border with Yemen, and yet the Houthis, who are used as a tool of Iran, send missiles and drones to attack innocent civilians. 2,000 kilometers will not protect terrorists from Israel’s might. This is not a warning - it is a promise: the Houthis will suffer the same miserable fate as Hamas and Hezbollah.” (INN/VFI News) 

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day. For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” - Proverbs 23:17-18

An Israeli delegation leaves today, January 3, for negotiations in Doha, Qatar, in another attempt to reach a deal that would free the hostages.  

The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu “approved the professional-level delegation of the Mossad, the IDF, and the ISA to continue the negotiations in Doha.”  

The Hostage’s Families Forum commented that it “congratulates the decision to send the Israeli delegation to Qatar. We can not miss this window of opportunity! For 100 hostages being held in the depths of the Hamas tunnels in Gaza, there is no time for the negotiations to be dragged out.”  

The forum added: “We demand that the Prime Minister grant the negotiations team the full mandate to reach a deal that would ensure the return of all the hostages, until the last one - the living for rehabilitation and the murdered and fallen for proper burial.” (INN / VFI News)

“Dear Lord, we come together in prayer to ask for the release of all the hostages. Please, in Your boundless mercy, bring about their release and restore the mental and physical health of the ones who are still alive. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You protect them and that You bless the efforts of the Israeli delegation leaving for Doha today.”

At least 15 people were killed and over 30 injured during New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, when a commercial vehicle rammed into partygoers.  

Two of the injured are Israeli citizens, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced. The attack occurred at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter, which had been closed to traffic due to the celebrations.  

The suspect was identified by law enforcement as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a US citizen born and raised in Texas. The FBI said it had recovered an Islamic State (ISIS) flag in the pickup truck. The driver exited the vehicle after the ramming and opened fire.  

Officials at a press conference said that they were aggressively hunting for additional suspects and did not believe Jabbar acted alone. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the ramming as “very intentional,” and said that the driver was going “very fast.”  

A Louisiana State Police bulletin obtained by American media said surveillance footage captured three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices. 

“There were improvised explosive devices found, and we are working on confirming if they are viable devices or not,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s New Orleans office Alethea Duncan said. (INN/VFI News)

“Dear God, we pray for the families of all the victims who lost their lives and those who were injured at the New Year’s celebrations. We pray that You comfort them now and strengthen them after the intense period of grief. We pray for all the injured, that You restore them as soon as possible. Please help the police officers find the other suspects and prevent all terrorist attacks against innocent civilians. We send our sincerest condolences to the families of the dead and we pray for their mental wellbeing.”

O Jerusalem (Shalom Yerushalayim), is a heartfelt song that calls for peace and blessing over the city of Jerusalem. This song blends both Hebrew and English lyrics, expressing a prayer for "Shalom" (peace) and "Shalva" (tranquility) within the ancient city's gates. Inspired by sacred scripture, the song reflects the spiritual and historical significance of Jerusalem, often called the "City of God". As a timeless symbol of hope and unity, this melody reaches across cultures and faiths, resonating with anyone longing for peace and joy. Join us as we sing Shalom Yerushalayim and share this message of peace. If you enjoyed this lyric video, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more songs and prayers that uplift the spirit.

Israeli media reported that the Palestinian Authority is considering changing its policy of paying stipends to terrorists. This is the first time such a change has been considered.  

The change was indicated in the PA’s response, through its counsel, given in the course of a lawsuit for compensation to the families of terror victims that is currently being conducted in the Jerusalem District Court.  

According to the report, the attorney representing the Authority admitted in a hearing held this week that the new law for compensating victims of terror, which was passed in June of last year, is a dramatic change that has led the Authority to reconsider its policy of paying terrorists. 

Among other provisions, the law calls for funds intended for terrorists to be frozen and paid to their victims instead.  

“This is a statutory provision that changes the world as we know it in the field of torts and compensation. In light of this dramatic change, we request that we be allowed to bring evidence such as changes in legislation and policy on the part of the defendant. Intensive discussions are underway, and there may be a significant change in this area,” the lawyer argued. (INN/VFI News)

“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” - Isaiah 42:6-7

Iran is set to engage in nuclear discussions with France, Britain, and Germany on January 13 in Switzerland, French media reported on Wednesday, January 1, citing local media.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, emphasized that these discussions are “consultations, not negotiations.” The European nations had previously, on December 17, accused Iran of amassing high-enriched uranium to “unprecedented levels” without “any credible civilian justification.”

Britain, France, and Germany recently hinted at potentially invoking the “snap back” mechanism from the 2015 nuclear deal that could allow for the reinstatement of previously lifted sanctions on Iran.

“In exchange (for the lifting of sanctions), we create more confidence in the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remarked to Iranian media on Wednesday, adding, “If the other party does not like this path, it is natural that we follow our own path, as we have done in recent years.”

Araqchi recently said that “2025 will be an important year regarding Iran’s nuclear issue” as the country faces the potential return of Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy. The January 13 talks come just a week before Trump’s return to the White House. (INN /VFI News)

“Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.” - Psalm 37:27-28

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Avi Dichter sat down with Israeli media to discuss the state of the war against Hamas and other recent developments in the Middle East such as the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

Dichter warned about the new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) in Syria and Turkey’s growing influence in the country following the overthrow of the Assad regime.

“The new regime in Syria, people are not aware of where they come from. Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the new leader, he’s part of Al Qaeda. His spiritual leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was neck-to-neck with Osama Bin Laden. It means that when a new regime like that is leading Syria ... to believe that those people will become rabbis in the future and will lead them in the way that we expect them to do so, I doubt it.”

“They will take a few years in order to get support from Arab countries, and we can hear from Qatar and the Emirates and other countries.”

“We have to be well-prepared and to make sure that Syria is not building itself under a Sunni regime - unlike the Alawite Regime - but as Israel remains its enemy and they will allow other countries, mainly Turkey, [outside influence in Syria]. Turkey is becoming the new Iran in Syria,” Dichter added.

“Iran supported Bashar al-Assad, Turkey supports Abu Mohammad al-Julani, and as we all know, Turkey is not our best ally as it used to be before. The only difference is that Iran was not part of NATO and Turkey is part of NATO," he said. (INN/ VFI News)

In one Damascus suburb in the Jobar neighborhood, the handful of remaining Jews in Syria can again make pilgrimages to one of the world’s oldest synagogues where people from throughout the region once came to pray.  

Syria’s 13-year civil war left the synagogue largely destroyed. Walls and roofs have collapsed. Some artifacts are missing. A marble sign in Arabic at the gate says it was first built 720 years before Christ. Since insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in early December, people have been able to safely visit the widely destroyed Jobar suburb that was pounded for years by government forces while in the hands of opposition fighters.  

Syria was once home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities. Those numbers have shrunk dramatically, especially after the State of Israel was created in 1948 and following anti-Jewish riots and persecution. 

Today, only nine Jews live in Syria, according to the head of the community, almost all older men and women. The Jewish community in Syria dates back to the prophet Elijah’s Damascus sojourn nearly 3,000 years ago. (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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