Hamas Vows to 'Repeat Oct 7 Attacks' as Blinken Lands in Israel and IDF Surrounds Gaza City

JERUSALEM, Israel – Nearly one week after Israel's Gaza ground campaign began, Israeli forces have encircled Gaza City. The next phase of the fighting could be the most dangerous. Intense fighting continues in and around Gaza City, the Hamas stronghold. The I.D.F. Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, said the military is destroying Hamas's terror infrastructure. Hamas's elaborate labyrinth of tunnels is one of the Israeli military's main concerns. Russian television was allowed access into some of the more than 300 miles of tunnels.

President Joe Biden announced that another 74 Americans have been evacuated out of Gaza through the Rafa Crossing into Egypt. The White House also defended the president's idea of a humanitarian pause.

"A temporary pause that's localized that would allow us to get aid in and to get our people out is a good thing for the people of Gaza," National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby explained. "It's a good thing for the Americans that are being held hostage. And it's not going to stop Israel from defending itself because the security assistance we're providing continues to flow. And a temporary pause doesn't mean a general cease-fire where the war is over. It means a pause, only temporary, for a specific purpose."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived today in Israel and wants to push for that humanitarian "pause" or "pauses" that may also help with the release of hostages.

The Times of Israel reports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing the idea, but some are concerned this could be a step toward a cease-fire of some sort, or an opportunity for Hamas to strengthen itself.

In an editorial, The Wall Street Journal argued:

"Hamas has two messages for two different audiences. To the international community, it pleads for a cease-fire on humanitarian grounds. To the Arab world, it pledges to repeat its Oct. 7 attacks and sacrifice as many Palestinians as it takes to destroy Israel. That's what a cease-fire means to Hamas: a chance to repeat Oct. 7 another day. The similar idea of a 'humanitarian pause,' gaining steam on the Western left, is, to Hamas, merely an opportunity to reload."

Up north, the I.D.F. is attacking Hezbollah positions in south Lebanon after the terror group continues firing rockets into Israel. CBN's Chuck Holton was on the scene of a rocket strike in Kiryat Shmona.

More: CBN

Pray: for lasting peace in the Israel-Gaza conflict, ease suffering, and guide leaders toward reconciliation. (Matthew 5:9)

Pray: protection for the innocent in Gaza and Israel, grant wisdom to politicians and decision-makers, and lead all to peace. (Psalm 34:18)

Pray: for the captives to be released, for healing and restoration. Let your love prevail. (Isaiah 32:18)

See: CBN’s Prayer for Peace

Students have held hundreds of protests and counterprotests on college campuses since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israelis and Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza in response.

At Tulane, a fight broke out after someone tried to burn an Israeli flag. At Columbia University, posters of kidnapped Israelis were torn down. At Harvard and Columbia, a so-called “doxxing truck” showed up on campus naming students whose organizations co-authored a statement saying Israel is “entirely responsible” for the deadly October 7 attacks by Hamas and “all unfolding violence.” And at Cornell, classes were canceled Friday after death threats were posted toward Jewish students under the username “hamas soldier” on a Greek life website. A few days after the postings, 21-year-old Cornell student Patrick Dai was arrested and federally charged with making online threats. He has not entered a plea.

Shortly after the October 7 attacks, the National Students for Justice in Palestine released a “toolkit” to help chapters across America organize a day of resistance on college campuses. Their materials called the rampage, a “historic win for Palestinian resistance.”  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered state universities to expunge the student group, accusing its members of illegally backing the Palestinian militants.

Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel protests have come head-to-head on some campuses, raising concerns over student safety. 

Student-led rallies have exploded from coast to coast. In the west, the University of California at Berkeley issued a statement decrying the “growing prevalence of online threats, doxxing and harassment”. And in the east, emotions were so high at a University of Florida prayer vigil that when a participant reportedly fainted, the crowd screamed and panicked, injuring five in a stampede.

More: CNN | USNEWS | Al-Jazeera | NBC

Pray: that these ongoing protests and demonstrations do not erupt into violence. (Matthew 5:9)

Pray: for restraint and mutual respect among the student populations and for an end to the online hate speech. (Ephesians 4:29)

Pray: for wisdom for the campus staff as they tackle the conflicting political views. (James 3:17)

In a recent press conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia had reached a "stalemate." He emphasized that despite the front line between the two sides remaining largely unchanged for almost a year, he does not view it as a stalemate. Zelenskyy also rejected the idea that Western countries were pressuring Ukraine to engage in negotiations with Russia, stating that there is no pressure from EU leaders or the US to hold talks with Russia and make concessions.

Zelensky expressed irritation at media reports suggesting pressure to negotiate and emphasized that he would always act in accordance with the will of the Ukrainian people. He also mentioned that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas had diverted international attention away from Ukraine, suggesting that this may be a goal for Russia.

Despite the protracted nature of the war, Ukraine's allies, including the United States, have maintained their readiness to provide military and financial support to Kyiv for as long as necessary to resist Russia's aggression.

The total number of Ukrainian and Russian troops killed or wounded since the war in Ukraine began 18 months ago is nearing 500,000, U.S. officials said. Russia’s military casualties, the officials said, are approaching 300,000. The number includes as many as 120,000 deaths and 170,000 to 180,000 injured troops. The Russian numbers dwarf the Ukrainian figures, which the officials put at close to 70,000 killed and 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.

More: Al Jazeera | NY Times

Pray: for wisdom and strength for President Zelenskyy and continued support from world leaders. Let justice flow. (Micah 6:8)

Pray: protection and healing for the innocent in the midst of conflict, bring hope, and end suffering. (Psalm 46:1)

Pray: for peace in Ukraine, for healing and reconciliation. May your love prevail. (Matthew 5:9)

Since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, religious and civil liberties have rapidly deteriorated under Taliban rule. Former government officials, civil servants, and religious minorities, such as Christians, endure intense governmental and societal pressure. They face regular Taliban raids on their homes, threats against their jobs and families, and limited access to education.

The Taliban aims to sever contact between Afghani citizens and Western groups and has virtually eradicated on-the-ground relief efforts by NGOs, suspecting spies among their workers. Despite the dire situation, the state of religious freedom and Christian tolerance has not improved since Afghanistan was listed as one of the worst places for Christians in the 2022 Persecutor of the Year report. The Taliban seeks to erase Christianity and other religious minorities, even denying the existence of Christians in Afghanistan.

Increasing poverty and starvation rates pose a higher security threat as the Taliban offers financial rewards for reporting Christians. Captured Christians face brutal torture or death unless ransomed, often bankrupting their families. Many Christians escape to Pakistan, risking capture or death by the Taliban. Those who make it to Pakistan must hide their faith, while some even return to Afghanistan, deeming it safer under the Taliban.

The West's response to the regime remains ambivalent, employing economic sanctions that devastate Afghanistan's economy. While no government officially recognizes the Taliban, 30 countries engage in diplomatic talks. Despite these challenges, the gospel continues to reach Afghani hearts, with believers bravely preaching in remote regions.

Despite the Taliban's efforts, the light of the Gospel perseveres in Afghanistan, with secret prayer meetings, teaching sessions, and courageous evangelism amidst adversity.

More: Persecution.org  |  Operation World

Pray: protection for those persecuted in Afghanistan, grant them strength, and let Your light shine in darkness. (Matthew 5:10)

Pray: divine hope and freedom to those oppressed under the Taliban. May Your love conquer fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Pray: empower Afghani believers to share Your message despite adversity. Let faith overcome challenges. (Romans 8:37)

Pray: for the church-planting movement who are working to resource the church in oppressed nations. (Isaiah 41:10)