VFI News Shin Bet Has Reportedly Thwarted 1,040 Major Attacks, Busted 20 Terror Cells in 2024

Shin Bet Has Reportedly Thwarted 1,040 Major Attacks, Busted 20 Terror Cells in 2024 . . .

In an annual report published on Tuesday, December 31, summarizing its activities over the past year, the Shin Bet said it interrogated more than 650 suspects from the Gaza Strip, thwarted 1,040 major terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem, busted 20 terror cells among Arab Israeli citizens and foiled a record 13 Iranian espionage plots.  

The internal security agency also said it assisted in several missions to rescue hostages from Gaza and unveiled audio from the rescue of Cpl. Ori Megidish last October.  

Additionally, the agency said it helped thwart hundreds of cyberattacks on Israel; secure hundreds of Israeli officials on trips to Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria; and protect dozens of Israeli groups abroad - including Israeli participants in the Malmo Eurovision and Paris Olympics - amid a worldwide rise in violence against Israelis and Jews.  

During 2024, the agency additionally said that Shin Bet agents assisted in detaining some 1,350 Palestinians passing through IDF checkpoints, including 40 senior commanders, 165 people considered close to top officials, 45 suspected of involvement in the October 7 onslaught, and another 100 thought to have information about the hostages. (TOI / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for helping our defense forces thwart so many terrorist attacks and successfully capture those who would harm innocent civilians. We thank You for enabling them and we pray that You strengthen and guide them towards Your Will at all times. We thank You for protecting Your people and being close to those who love You.”

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A Saudi news outlet published on Monday, January 6, a list of what it claims to be the 34 hostages listed to be released in the first stage of a potential hostage deal.  

Earlier, renowned British media claimed that a Hamas official had shown it the list, and among the 34 hostages listed by Hamas to be released in the first stage of a potential hostage deal are young children, 10 women, and 11 male hostages aged 50-85.

The families of the hostages and other government bodies have requested the names not be released for their and their families' protection. It was unclear how many of the hostages were still alive, the British news outlet added. According to the report, among the hostages on the list are also those who Hamas claims are unwell.   

On Sunday, another British media outlet also reported that Hamas approved a list of 34 hostages presented by Israel to be released in a possible deal. However, the Prime Minister’s Office denied the report.  

Meanwhile, earlier, on Saturday evening, families of the hostages gathered at Hostages Square with one clear message: Leave no one behind. 

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, who is still held captive in Gaza, said, “The White House said that a deal is urgent and possible, and is speaking of ‘progress in the negotiations.’ But we know that this is only a partial deal, which will be a death sentence for my Matan and the soldiers and civilians who remain behind.” (JPost/VFI News)  

“Dear Lord, we pray in Yeshua’s name that You help Israel mediate the release of all the hostages in one deal. We know that what is impossible for man is possible for You and we fervently pray for this to happen. We thank You for sustaining the hostages so far and we ask that You strengthen them, heal them, and comfort the families who have lost their loved ones. Please, keep all the families who have been afflicted by the war close to You, and remind them of Your Love and promises.”

The Hamas terror group released a propaganda video on Saturday, January 4, showing signs of life from 19-year-old hostage Liri Albag, the latest in a series of clips it has released of Israeli captives taken in the October 7, 2023, attack.  

The three-and-a-half-minute-long video was not dated, although Albag stated in it that she has been held for over 450 days, indicating that it was filmed recently.  

Albag, a surveillance soldier, was stationed at the Nahal Oz military base close to the Gaza border when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists poured into Israel from the Palestinian enclave. Fifteen surveillance soldiers were killed in the onslaught, and Albag was abducted to Gaza along with six others.  

One of the abducted surveillance soldiers was later rescued alive, and the body of a second one was recovered after she was murdered in captivity. The other five - Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Naama Levy, and Daniella Gilboa — are still hostages. 

“The video released today tore our hearts apart,” her family said in a short statement on Saturday evening. “This is not the same daughter and sister that we know. She is in bad condition, and her difficult mental state is evident.” Israel has also condemned previous such videos of hostages as psychological warfare by Hamas.  (TOI / VFI News)

“Dear God, we come together in prayer and lift Liri Albag, her family, and her fellow hostages. We pray that You mend their distressed mental state and reignite hope in them. We pray in Yeshua’s name that this nightmare will be over soon and that You will ensure the reunion of these families as soon as possible.”

A red alert was sounded at 4:51 p.m., on Saturday, January 4, at Netiv Ha’asara, a town near the northern border of Gaza. One rocket was fired and hit the border crossing. Hamas also attacked the Erez Crossing there on October 7, 2023, largely destroying it. Through it, thousands of Palestinian workers were once entering Israel to earn a living.

The IDF issued a statement: “Following the projectile that fell in the area of the Erez Crossing of the Ministry of Defense’s Crossings Authority, hits that caused damage both to the area of the crossing and adjacent to the humanitarian truck compound were identified.”      

“We emphasize that since the beginning of December, over 1,200 humanitarian aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip through the Erez Crossing of the Israel Ministry of Defense Crossing Points Authority (CPA), containing food, water, medical supplies, and shelter equipment.”      

Meanwhile, the IDF’s Nahal and Givati Brigades have recently located numerous Hamas weapons, explosives, and underground tunnel shafts during operations in the Jabalya and Beit Hanun areas of the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Friday. 

During a search of a building that previously served as a school, soldiers uncovered a significant cache of weapons across several floors. In a nearby building, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was found hidden in a child’s bed. (BB/VFI News)

“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.” - Deuteronomy 10:17-18

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As its fighters attempt to flee northern Gaza and those who are remaining struggle to maneuver in the area, Hamas has pivoted its combat strategy to booby-trapping almost every structure that remains standing.  

This military approach has become a threat to the IDF troops operating in the local combat zones. Hamas terrorists are struggling to move within Jabalya, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun due to the IDF’s aggressive operations in these areas. 

Hamas realizes it is at an operational disadvantage. Most tunnels have been destroyed or rendered unusable. However, there is still an “estimated 40% of the tunnels still remaining, hundreds of kilometers of tunnels the Israeli intelligence was not aware of,” according to Yoni Ben Menachem, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs from the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.

Nevertheless, most terrorists are attempting to flee from Jabalya and the northern Gaza Strip to Gaza City. The IDF has struck hundreds of them over the past week and the terrorists now operate by rigging traps in nearly every standing structure. This is typically done by hiding explosives inside closets or other furniture to harm troops conducting searches. 

Additionally, the buildings are stocked with weapons, including rifles, anti-tank launchers, and grenades. (JPost/VFI News)

Sixty terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who were arrested at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza during an operation that began a week ago, were brought for medical treatment in hospitals in Israel, an Israeli news outlet reported on Sunday, January 5.  

The IDF launched the operation at the Gaza hospital last week and arrested over 240 terrorists. The operation was launched in the wake of intelligence information that indicated the hospital had been used as a terror facility.  Among the terrorists were some who had participated in the October 7, 2023 massacre. 

They were all brought to Israel for interrogation. According to the report, a quarter of these terrorists required medical treatment that could not be provided at the detention facility in the Sde Teiman Base, as the field hospital that had been set up there has been shut down.  

As a result, the terrorists were transferred to hospitals in Israel — including Ichilov in Tel Aviv, Barzilai in Ashkelon, Assuta in Ashdod, Wolfson in Holon, and Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem.  

Last year, the same news outlet had reported that 25 Hamas terrorists, who were captured alive in the military operations in Gaza following October 7 and who needed medical treatment, were evacuated to hospitals in Israel.  (INN /VFI News) 

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” - Romans 12:20-21

Israeli security officials have warned that a change in the regional strategic situation could push Iran to take “extreme” steps against Israel in the near future. 

IDF Chief of Staff Herzli Halevi has consequently ordered the military to be on high alert and to be ready for a variety of possible scenarios, media reported. 

The concern is that the deteriorating situation Iran finds itself in may push it to desperate measures. Iran’s rial currency is in freefall and lost 10% of its value in the first month after US President-Elect Donald Trump’s reelection in November. 

Iran is also facing a severe energy crisis that has led it to ration electricity and blackouts in much of the country. The regime is facing growing internal criticism and protests among its citizenry. 

In addition, Iran’s foreign policy is collapsing with the destruction of the military capabilities and leadership of its terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and the destruction of its air defense systems following Iran’s massive ballistic missile attacks on Israel. (INN/ VFI News)

“The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.” - Proverbs 10:24

According to data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Sunday, January 5, more Israelis have emigrated from Tel Aviv and Haifa than from any other city.  

According to this data, 11,020 Israelis emigrated from Tel Aviv-Jaffa overseas in 2024, nearly double the number than that of any other city in Israel.  

Other cities at the top of the emigration table include Haifa (5,983 emigrants), Netanya (5,370), Jerusalem (5,037), Bat Yam (3,102), Rishon Lezion (2,490), Ashdod (2,359), and Ramat Gan (1,883). In terms of gender distribution, approximately 40,000 men left Israel during 2024, compared to 38,000 women.  

About 40% of the emigrants from Israel are aged 20-39, approximately 28% are aged 40-69, and about 27% are children and adolescents. Only about 5% of the emigrants are over the age of 70.  

In October 2023, immediately following the outbreak of the Gaza war, 14,816 Israelis left Israel – more than during any other month in 2023. The average in the other months of 2023 was 7,145 departures. (INN / 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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