Israel under Attack: Update and Prayer Points

You’ve probably seen and heard the horrific reports coming out of Israel. At 6:30AM on October 7, Israelis in southern Israel were awakened by the sound of sirens, warning them to take shelter from incoming rockets. Around the same time, Hamas terrorists breached the border with Israel and began wreaking havoc in Israeli communities, murdering some and taking others hostage.

Video from a barrage of rockets fired at the Tel Aviv area on Saturday night. Emmanuel Fabian, Twitter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement: “Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not a round [of fighting,] at war! This morning Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” Netanyahu said in his filmed statement in Hebrew.

We wanted to give you an update on the current situation, with two things in mind:

1. Prayer points: Israel needs our prayer, now more than ever!
2. Accuracy: There are many rumors, conflicting reports, and outright falsehoods making their way around the internet. The following information is from official, and other reliable sources.

Situation Update as of 10/10/23 6:30PM Israel Time

• So far, more than 900 Israelis have been murdered, and another 2200 wounded, with the numbers continuing to rise.
• The IDF has said they are in control of all Israeli territory, though terrorists from Gaza may still be hiding out.
• The IDF has ordered the evacuation of communities around Gaza and is targeting terrorist posts inside the strip.
• According to the IDF, hundreds of terrorists were involved in the infiltration from Gaza, taking more than 100 hostages.
• 4500+ rockets have been fired continually from Gaza into Israel.
• Israel has called up more than 300k reservists for military duty.
• In northern Israel, there has been some artillery fire and attempted infiltrations.

Check out The Israel Guys, Honest Reporting and JNS.org for reliable, factual updates on the situation.

More than 100 Israelis have been kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Pray for their safe return!

Pray for:

• Protection for those under threat of rocket fire.
• Strength and speedy rescue for those kidnapped by terrorists.
• Wisdom for Israel’s leaders to effectively defeat their enemies.
• Quiet on other fronts, especially: Lebanon, where Israel faces Hezbollah. Other places inside Israel, where Hamas is inciting Arabs to attack Israel from within.
• Peace and comfort for Israelis suffering from fear and pain.

The Word of the Lord endures forever

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121

Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
devastation or destruction within your borders;
you shall call your walls Salvation,
and your gates Praise.
Isaiah 60:18