GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 372

Keys To Pray

Increased Attacks

During Ramadan, the IDF slowed down its attacks out of respect for the Muslim holy days, but we read in a report from The Jerusalem Post Hezbollah and Hamas is ramping up its attacks on Israel’s holy days:

Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed groups sought to increase their attacks on Israel during Yom Kippur.

While Israel reduced the intensity of its war effort against Hamas over Ramadan due to respect for the Muslim holy month, the Iranian-backed axis often escalates during Jewish holidays. The West, which urged Israel to reduce its operations in Gaza during Ramadan, has not called on Iran and groups such as Hezbollah or Hamas to refrain from attacks during Yom Kippur.

That sounds a tad antisemitic doesn’t it? Regardless, the terrorist groups are proud of increasing attacks on Israel right now:

Hezbollah claimed on Saturday, during Yom Kippur, that it had targeted several Israeli bases. According to the IDF, “Throughout the weekend of Yom Kippur, some 320 projectiles that were fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organization crossed from Lebanon into Israel.” By contrast, 230 projectiles were launched by Hezbollah on October 11.

Hezbollah put out a statement that was reported by Iranian state media about its attacks throughout the holy day.

“According to resistance media outlets, Hezbollah hit a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Al-Jarrah base with missiles.

Specifically Hezbollah is targeting IDF bases:

The Zar’it base was also among the targets destroyed by the Lebanese resistance group,” Iran’s IRNA said. In addition, Hezbollah claimed it targeted two bases in the Golan. “Hezbollah emphasized that homes and military bases used to manage Israeli settlements remain key targets of its ongoing operations,” the Iranian report noted.

But now there are indications that the terrorist group is expanding to other areas:

In addition, the group targeted Herzliya with two drones. This represented a new escalation by the group. Herzliya is where many foreign ambassadors live. “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, two UAVs were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. The UAVs were monitored from the moment they crossed the Lebanese border. The IAF successfully intercepted one UAV,” the IDF said.

Also, the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it targeted the Golan. In yet another incident, Hamas claimed it had attacked IDF tanks in Gaza.

While fewer rockets were launched that earlier on October 11th, the intent to raise fear in Jews at a time they are celebrating their holiest day of the year for them:

It’s clear that there was a concerted effort by Iran and the groups it backs to escalate attacks on Yom Kippur. For instance, at around noon, a total of 30 rockets were launched at the Upper Galilee. The overall volume of the fire, however, appeared less than on October 11. Hezbollah then increased attacks in the late afternoon. It launched 35 more rockets at the Upper Galilee. It also targeted areas in Haifa and Haifa Bay in the afternoon and aimed at the same area in the afternoon of October 11, just as Yom Kippur was beginning. The rocket barrage at 5:23 p.m. on October 11 was clearly designed to coincide with Yom Kippur, which began at 5:34 p.m. in the same area. It’s likely the Iranian-backed group sought to target people who it thought would be going to synagogue at that time. Sirens also sounded in Ashkelon in the afternoon, indicating threats from Gaza.

The IDF Hits Back

As Hezbollah and Hamas went out of their way to launch attacks on Israel during Yom Kippur, Israel responded as we read in another article from The Jerusalem Post:

In response to the attacks during the solemn fast day, the IDF targeted approximately 280 terror targets in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, including tunnels, weapon storage facilities, and rocket launch sites aimed at Israel.

The IDF also took out terrorist soldiers as well:

Additionally, the IDF eliminated around 50 Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon while uncovering weapons and other equipment belonging to the terrorist organization.

Back in Gaza the IDF was busy eliminating more terrorists:

In Gaza, IDF forces neutralized over 200 terrorists. In Jabalya, more than 20 terrorists were eliminated through a combination of tank fire, close combat, and airstrikes by the 162nd Division. In the central Gaza Strip, the 252nd Division eliminated several terrorist groups involved in anti-tank attacks, while in Rafah, the IDF’s Gaza Division forces took out additional terrorists who were targeting IDF soldiers.

They also continued to hit key weapons sites:

During these operations, the IAF destroyed rocket and missile launchers in southern Lebanon and hit an underground Hezbollah site near the Syria-Lebanon border. Targets included underground terrorist facilities, weapon storage, command centers, terrorist cells, and military sites linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Although they eliminated hundreds of terrorists, they also suffer the loss of soldiers themselves:

Two soldiers were wounded during combat in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the IDF reported on Saturday evening. An officer from the Military Engineering School was severely wounded during combat in southern Gaza earlier on Saturday. A reservist from Battalion 9203, part of the Alexandroni Brigade, sustained severe injuries during combat in southern Lebanon in a separate incident on Friday.

Prayer Keys

Let’s take some time to pray for Israel and use these prayer keys to do it:

  • Lord, we praise You for hearing our prayers and releasing the IDF to forcefully strike at Hizbullah who has been shooting rockets and mortars at Israel ever since Oct. 8th (Ex. 15:3, 14-16; Psa. 68:1-2).
  • We bless You that, as in Gaza, PM Bibi Netanyahu did not heed the "advice" of US President Biden, but ordered Beirut attacked and killed Hizbullah's long-time leader, Nasrallah (Psa. 1:1; Prov. 3:34).
  • Lord God, direct the IDF's strategy and tactics in Southern Lebanon for its current limited operation (2 Sam. 5:17-23), and anoint them to fight in line with the prophecy found in Numbers 24:8-9.
  • Help them to cut off all Hizbullah commanders and leaders – including the new ones who are raised up to take the place of those Israel has already cut off (Ex. 23:23; 1 Sam. 17:51; Psa. 34:16; 54:5).
  • Lord of hosts, fulfill Numbers 24:8 and let Israel's "arrows" pierce through its enemies (Psa. 45:5).
  • Guide them to find and destroy all of Hizbullah's weapons caches and missile launchers (Psa. 31:3).
  • God, anoint Israel to win a total victory over Hizbullah (Psa. 46:8-9; 147:14).
  • In line with that, do not permit Israel to be forced into a ceasefire with Hizbullah (Psa. 44:4-6).
  • Aid them to also uncover and destroy Hizbullah's widespread tunnel system (Dan. 2:22; Luke 8:17).
  • Continue to aid Israel's intelligence units to interpret its collected data correctly (Luke 12:2).
  • We bless You Lord, that even under a massive barrage of ballistic missiles launched by Iran against Your nation, not one Israeli was killed (Psa. 121:4; Jer. 31:10).
  • At this time speak clearly to, and anoint, the IDF's Iran Command (Deut. 5:22; Job 12:12-13).
  • May Israel's response be totally in line with Your plans, as well as Your timing (2 Sam. 5:17-25)
  • As the Iranian regime sees how Israel has dealt with Hamas, Hizbullah and even the Houthis, let the terror of You and of the IDF fall upon them in a mighty, paralyzing way (Ex. 15:3; 2 Chr. 20:29).
  • Lord, if You are fulfilling Micah 4:11-13, make Israel that prophetic threshing tool and use the results to bring You much glory and honor – both in Israel and throughout the world (Ezek. 39:13).
  • Despite what many nations are saying to Israel – if this is Your time for Israel to attack and destroy Iran's nuclear program, then we ask You to have the final say (Psa. 33:9-11; Lam. 3:37).
  • If Israel should destroy Iranian oilfields, its exporting facilities and tanker ships, release the IDF to do that – yet have mercy on the common Iranian who will suffer economically (Rom. 9:16).
  • Lord God, as per Your word, break Elam's [ancient Iran's] bow (Jer. 49:35), and destroy its evil political, military and religious leaders (Jer. 49:38b; cp. Psa. 9:5-6).
  • May Bibi's message to the Persian/Iranian people be prophetic and let the destruction of their evil overlords happen very soon (Job 6:10; Psa. 64:7; Eccl. 9:12; Isa. 48:3).
  • Messiah, bless Your Body in Iran; protect them; help them to grow numerically and spiritually; and use them as salt and light to the rest of Iranian society (Jer. 49:38a; Matt. 5:13-16; 16:18b).
  • With most of the world's attention on Lebanon, Abba, remove the handcuffs which the West and international NGO's have placed on Israel, and release Your nation to fight its enemies in Gaza like they are doing against Hizbullah – that is in a biblical manner (Deut. 28:7; Ezek. 37:10; Zech. 12:4-8).
  • God, renew the strength, courage and motivation of the troops who are fighting there (Isa. 40:28-31).
  • Anoint them to war as Your prophesied sons of Zion (Zech. 9:13-15; 10:3a-7).
  • We thank You for Your protection over the IDF soldiers in Gaza since the start of this war and ask You to continue to miraculously protect them from both Hamas and all accidents (Psa. 141:9-10).
  • Lord God Almighty, as needed, download new tactics and strategies to the IDF to use against Hamas who have been reduced to battle as groups of urban guerilla fighters (1 Chr. 14:15-17).
  • Lord, apply what You stated in Shabbat's prophetic portion to every Hamas terrorist in Gaza today: "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked." (Isa. 57:20-21)
  • Abba Father, supernaturally lead the hostages to freedom during the feasts (Acts 12:5-11).
  • Alternatively, shine Your light on where the hostages are being hidden and let the IDF miraculously find them – in particular all that might still be alive (Isa. 49:9; Jer. 50:28; Zech. 9:11-12).