We are in shock. We are in tears.
- Forty Israelis are dead so far.
- More than 700 have been injured.
- We are getting reports of as many as Israeli 35 hostages in Gaza. Some of those may already be dead bodies.
- A baby was been found with no parents in a Kibbutz. The parents are presumed to have been either kidnapped or killed.
- Netanyahu declares war
How could we not see this coming? How could our intelligence be so bad. Times of Israel’s David Horowitz writes, “‘A colossal failure’ as Gaza’s Hamas terrorists infiltrate, catch Israel unprepared.” Whatever reports we are getting, people are saying the truth is far worse!
Israelis, camping in the fields for Sukkot (Tabernacles), came under attack by dozens of terrorists who broke through the border in white pickup trucks. There is video of 100s of people running for their lives. The facts are changing so quickly that I cannot keep up with them. Netanyahu has rightly declared war.
I am getting reports from friends that some people are hiding in their safe rooms as terrorists roam the streets. There are reports that they have taken over five towns. (We can’t verify this.) My daughter Danielle just told me that they are saying this is the worst thing to ever happen in Israel.
Rockets have been fired from Gaza to as far as Tel Aviv. Danielle is in Tel Aviv sending us updates. It is killing us not to be home, as are ministering in Europe. Our hearts are breaking. “It’s bad,” a friend texted me. “They have kidnapped at least 35 Israelis.” I have seen pictures of terrorists rejoicing over the kidnapped bodies of dead Israelis.
All this in just the past few hours.
My friend Avner Boskey writes:
At least ten white pickup trucks driven by Hamas suicide squad jihadis crossed into Israel (as well as some on ultra-light single-place powered parachutists) and attacked approximately 21 sites, including kibbutzim and moshavim (farms), small towns (including police stations). They have been slaughtering civilians, including mothers and children, breaking into houses, and indiscriminately killing the inhabitants. We have friends who have terrorists in their house as I write.
Israelis have posted to social media from their windows and balconies of terrorists in the streets. We have a friend who works in the emergency room in Ashkelon; all the nurses have been called back in (it is a holiday in Israel and Shabbat). “Anachnu corsim, corsim, corsim…” (We are collapsing, collapsing, collapsing…”
There is no doubt that this attack came during October, as it is the 50th anniversary of the surprise attack on Israel, which started the Yom Kippur War in 1973. And surely there is deep concern in the more fanatic parts of the Islamic world that Israel is on the verge of peace with Saudi Arabia.
But we can talk about all the geopolitical aspects later—right now Israel needs prayer. We are at war. We needs God’s mercy.
Let me be clear, this is the worst thing to happen in Israel since I made Aliyah in 2003. Others are saying it is the worst ever!
At our Tikkun Global conference a few weeks ago and at Open Door Church the next day, I shared that the Israel-loving church must get beyond the romantic love for Israel to understand that we (Israel) are not in a good place. Let me say it again: Israel is not in a good place! It was the most uncomfortable thing I think I have ever shared…and I even felt a bit like a traitor, but I had been feeling dread over Israel day and night for weeks. We don’t need platitudes of affection but deep intercession that we would repent! It pains me to write this even as bombs are falling and Israelis are in Hamas hands, but that is what we need.
1. Believers stand in the gap and pray.
2. Israelis to repent of the hatred and division, and of course, to find Yeshua.
We need both now. Please share this on all your platforms and social media.
We will keep you posted!
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