VFI News Terrorists Kill Pregnant Woman, Injure Her Husband; Baby Delivered; Hostage Edan Alexander Released

In this episode of VFI News, we explore Donald Trump’s surprising decision to leave Israel off his Middle East visit, sparking major questions about a possible shift in U.S. foreign policy. Is this a sign of changing U.S.-Israel relations, or just political strategy?

We cover key developments in the region, including updates on Iran’s nuclear program, Hezbollah’s recent setbacks, and the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. As tensions grow in Gaza and with Houthi attacks escalating, the spotlight turns to whether Trump’s stance marks a realignment of America’s support in the Middle East.

Also featuring commentary from Steve Whitkoff and Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and a special address from Pope Leo XIV on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, this episode offers in-depth analysis on how global politics are impacting Israel right now.

Stay informed on the latest in U.S. policy, Middle East tensions, Israel’s economic resilience, and VFI’s on-the-ground efforts to bring hope to those in need.

#Trump #Israel #MiddleEast #USIsraelRelations #Gaza #Iran #HostageCrisis #Hezbollah #Houthi #VFInews #BreakingNews #PopeLeoXIV #MikeHuckabee #SteveWitkoff

Palestinian terrorists murdered Tzeela Gez, a 30-year-old mother of three, on Wednesday night, May 14, in a drive-by shooting on Route 446 near Peduel junction in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria. Her husband was driving her from their home in the settlement of Bruchin to the hospital to give birth.  

Doctors at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva attempted to save her life but declared her dead on Thursday morning. They conducted an emergency Caesarean section to save her unborn child. The baby boy was transferred to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for Israel in Petah Tikva in “serious but stable” condition, the hospital said.  

Gez’s husband, Hannael, 40, was lightly wounded and released from the hospital on Thursday morning. Shaked Fors, Gez’s sister, told Israeli media, “She was the best – a powerful, radiant presence with a big smile,” she said. “There are no words to describe how extraordinary she was.”  

Gez’s pregnancy had been difficult, but she had remained strong, Fors said.  “She fought so hard,” she said. “She never stopped smiling, always gave strength to those around her, and was always there for others.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deeply shocked by the terrorist attack. “This despicable event reflects exactly the difference between us and the vile terrorists whose goal in life is to kill us,” he said Thursday morning. “I trust that the security forces, even in this case, will quickly apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice, along with everyone who helped them.” (JPost/VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we pray fervently for the family of Tzeela Gez and we send our heartfelt condolences to them. We pray that You cover them with Your affection and comfort them during this incredibly difficult time of grief. Please engulf them in Your Love, give them hope and restore the health of her husband and baby. We lift all of her children in prayer and we ask in Yeshua’s Name that You be their light and Provider amidst this horrifying trial.”

Hamas released its last living American hostage on Monday, May 12, after he spent more than 580 days in captivity inside the Gaza Strip. 

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was received by a specialized IDF unit and was brought to an initial reception facility in Re’im, where he was scheduled to undergo preliminary medical and psychological evaluation by IDF Medical Corps personnel, an Israeli official told American media. 

“This is a very emotional moment -- Edan Alexander has returned home. We embrace him, and we embrace his family,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. That combination is a winning formula.” 

President Donald Trump, following Alexander's release, wrote on Truth Social “Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends! “ Meanwhile, two days after Alexander's release, his aunt Sharon Ben-Baruch Senior revealed details about his 584-day captivity in Gaza. 

She described the inhumane conditions Alexander endured. “He drank murky water and wasn’t exposed to daylight,” she said. In the early stages of his captivity, Alexander was subjected to severe abuse. He was kept with a bag over his head, beaten, starved and endured both physical and psychological torture. 

According to her, Alexander said his conditions slightly improved after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. “Once Trump came in, they moved him to a room in the tunnels and things got a little better. From the moment people started talking about him, they gave him more food so he could gain weight,” she said. (FN/VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You immensely for the release of Edan Alexander. We rejoice along with his family and pray that You heal his body, mind and heart completely, and help him forget all the horrors he has endured. We also pray in Yeshua's Name that You bring all the remaining hostages home so that they can reunite with their loving families and be delivered by Your power. Please, protect and heal all the hostages and guard their hearts and minds at all times.”

A war of words erupted between Washington and Tehran on Wednesday, May 14, as US President Donald Trump, during his Gulf tour, issued a stern ultimatum to Iran: cease its support for proxy groups throughout the Middle East and verifiably halt its nuclear weapons program as preconditions for any potential agreement. 

The demand was met with immediate and forceful rejection from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who referred to the US President as a “bully”. Speaking at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting in Riyadh, hosted by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Trump made his conditions clear. 

Iran "must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons," Trump declared to the assembled GCC leaders, as quoted by media. "They cannot have a nuclear weapon." 

In a swift rebuttal broadcast live on state television Wednesday, Pezeshkian fired back at Trump's assertions. "He (Trump) thinks he can come here, chant slogans, and scare us. For us, martyrdom is far sweeter than dying in bed. You came to frighten us? We will not bow to any bully," Pezeshkian stated, as quoted by British media. 

However, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Tehran would commit to never making nuclear weapons, getting rid of its stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium, agree to only enrich uranium to the lower levels needed for civilian use, and allow international inspectors to supervise the process, according to American media. (INN/VFI News) 

“Dear Lord, we pray that You would dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities as soon as possible. We pray that You work on the Iranian leaders’ hearts and cause them to stop enriching uranium and creating nuclear weapons. In Yeshua's Name, we pray that You take care of everything and help the Middle East be a safe place.”

President Trump made a forecast Wednesday, May 14, that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa — a longtime Al Qaeda ringleader — would establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

Trump pressured al-Sharaa, 42, to join the Abraham Accords with the Jewish state during a private meeting in the Saudi capital and told reporters afterwards that he was successful.

“I think they have to get themselves straightened up. I told him, ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do,” Trump said aboard Air Force One as he flew to Qatar as part of his three-nation Mideast tour to drum up business relations between the US and Gulf states.

Trump said Tuesday that he would lift all US sanctions on Syria to give the war-torn country a “chance” to rebuild, earning a standing ovation from Saudi leaders and businessmen at an investment forum. The US and Syrian leaders met on the sidelines of a Gulf Cooperation Council gathering in Riyadh.

Syria currently doesn’t recognize Israel’s statehood, and the Abraham Accords were just one of Trump’s requests to Syria in an effort to normalize relations between the two neighbors. Trump also told al-Sharaa to deport all foreign terrorists from his country — including Palestinians — to help the US prevent the return of ISIS in the region, and take control of terror detention centers in northeastern Syria, according to the White House. (NYP/VFI News)

“Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” - Proverbs 9:8

On October 7th, 2023, the unthinkable happened. Ronit Glaser, a dedicated first responder with Magen David Adom, faced a day that would change her life forever. In this powerful and emotional account, Ronit shares her experience as she navigated the chaos of one of the most devastating events in Israel’s history. Through her eyes, we also hear the heartbreaking story of Amit Mann, a heroic paramedic who gave her life to save others that fateful day.

A ballistic missile launched at Israel by Yemen’s Houthis was successfully intercepted by air defenses on Thursday evening, May 15, the military said. A large chunk of debris from the intercepted missile landed in the Judea and Samaria settlement of Alon Shvut. No injuries were reported thankfully. 

Sirens had sounded across central Israel and the Jerusalem area. Preceding the sirens by some three minutes, an early warning was issued to residents, alerting them of the long-range missile attack via a push notification on their phones. 

This was the third day in which a Houthi-launched missile reached Israeli airspace and was intercepted. 

On Tuesday, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen, apparently aimed at Israel, fell short far from the country. A missile fired from Yemen also fell short on Monday, according to an Israeli defense source. (TOI/VFI News) 

“Dear God, we thank You for always protecting us from those wishing to harm our people. We pray that You continue to do so and that You keep us in Your loving, Fatherly Embrace for the rest of our days. We also pray that You strengthen and give rest to our defense personnel, dismantle the Houthis and turn the criminals’ hearts to You and Your Son. In Yeshua's Name we pray, amen.”

Israel has confirmed that the target of a powerful strike Tuesday evening, May 13, on an underground command and control center in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, was Mohammad Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and the head of the Hamas militant wing.

It is currently unknown if the strike was successful, but Israeli defense officials estimate that it was. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported that 16 individuals were killed and 70 were wounded in the strike. The reports did not note their identities.

Mohammad Sinwar is the brother of former Hamas leader and October 7th Massacre architect Yahya Sinwar, who was eliminated by IDF soldiers in October 2024. 

Israeli media reported that Israel did not notify the US before it conducted the assassination attempt. The strike occurred as Trump kicked off his official visit to the region, addressing the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh.

According to the IDF and ISA, before and during the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence. (INN/VFI News)  

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” declares the Sovereign Lord. “Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” - Ezekiel 18:23

Antisemitic sentiments are rising throughout Europe, inflamed by Israel’s war with the Hamas terror group in Gaza. A whopping 82% of Europeans do not view the fight against antisemitism as a policy priority, according to a survey published Tuesday, May 13, by the European Jewish Association (EJA).

The poll of 4,400 people across six countries — France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium — found that more than 20% openly blame Jews in their own countries for the war between Israel and Hamas happening thousands of miles away. 

The EJA survey found that antisemitic messages have become normalized for young people, with more than one in four (28%) Europeans aged 18–24 saying they had participated in or witnessed antisemitic remarks presented as anti-Israel commentary. The workplace was the most common setting for antisemitic remarks, the survey noted. 

Some 65% of Europeans say that the war in the Middle East has impacted how Jews are viewed in their own countries, with 55% saying that it has worsened their perceptions. About half of respondents said that the way the media portrays the conflict harms Jewish communities in Europe, according to the report. 

Despite the severity of the issue, only 18% of Europeans said fighting antisemitism should be prioritized in national policy, the report found. However, when the question was reframed as a question of civil safety, support more than doubled to 40%. (TOI/VFI News)

“For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy” - Deuteronomy 23:14a  

American researchers claim to have cracked one of the Bible’s mysteries after using radar technology to map the possible remains of Noah’s Ark. “It is exactly what you’d expect to find if this were a man-made boat, consistent with the biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark,” Andrew Jones, an independent researcher, told Christian media. 

Jones and his team were attempting the solve the age-old question of whether the legendary vessel is buried in the mountains of eastern Turkey — roughly 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, which the Bible describes as the boat’s final resting place. 

Jones used ground-penetrating radar to detect what appeared to be a 13-foot tunnel traversing the center of the formation, British media reported. 

These same scans captured a trifecta of subterranean layers that were alleged dead ringers for the Bible’s description of the boat’s three decks — in other words, it was literally “ship-shape.”

Meanwhile, a new analysis of the radar data allegedly revealed “central and side corridors or hallways running through the boat.” Also uncovered were angular structures situated 20 feet beneath the surface that the team surmises could be quarters beneath a deck-like surface — making this potentially more than just a geological formation as many scientists have posited. (NYP/VFI News) 

“You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.” - Genesis 6:16

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

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