Inside Israel News
Week of January 28, 2025
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Four Young Women Return From Hamas Captivity
After 477 days in Hamas captivity, Israeli female soldier hostages Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy were safely returned to Israel on Saturday. As the young women were handed over from Hamas to the Red Cross, their parents were eagerly waiting for them at an Israeli border crossing near Gaza as well as crowds of people in each women’s hometown and in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Their emotional reunions with their family brought tears to many. After an initial medical assessment, the four women were flown by helicopter to a hospital in central Israel where they will have comprehensive medical care.
Hamas violently took these female soldiers along with three others on October 7 from their observation posts at Nahal Oz military base. One of the other soldiers was murdered in captivity, another soldier was rescued in October 2023, and the last one, Agam Berger, remains in Gaza and is expected to be released in the coming days.
Praise God for the release of these four young women. Please pray for their recovery and reintegration. Pray also for Agam Berger, who was left behind.
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Israeli Military Chief of Staff Resigns
In keeping with his promises to take responsibility for the military failures of October 7, 2023, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi announced he will resign on March 6. His resignation comes about ten months earlier than a standard three-year term for his position. Southern Command Leader Yaron Finkleman also announced his resignation. In a later speech, Halevi called for a state commission of inquiry that would also examine Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership and decisions in light of October 7.
Despite the failures, during the last few months, Halevi saw a number of major successes against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Assad regime in Syria. The IDF also defeated two dozen Hamas battalions and is enforcing the current hostage exchange deal. Halevi promised to spend the final six weeks managing the current ceasefire and possible transition to permanent ceasefire.
Please pray for wisdom in picking the IDF’s next chief of staff as well as successful transition of power.
Officials Resolve Hamas’ Violation of Ceasefire
Hamas violated a few terms of the hostage release and ceasefire agreement. Female civilian hostages were to be released first, then female soldiers. By returning four female soldiers, Hamas left a civilian, Arbel Yehoud, in Gaza. Additionally, Hamas was supposed to give a list of the remaining hostages’ condition to Israel last Saturday, which they did not. In response, Israel prohibited Sunday’s opening of the Netzarim Corridor, holding off the return of thousands of Gazans to their homes in northern Gaza.
These violated terms have now been resolved. Arbel Yehoud is alive and will be returned to Israel on Thursday along with Israeli female soldier Agam Berger and a male civilian. Many think it will be American-Israeli Keith Siegel. Three more male hostages are to be returned to Israel alive on Saturday.
Israel has now opened the Netzarim Corridor as masses try to return to the north. Most must do so on foot, and no weapons or armed men are allowed to enter. On certain streets, some vehicles are allowed pending inspection by an American company who will prevent the return of armed men and weapons in cars. There are about 100 armed personnel, many of whom are veterans of elite American units or former CIA workers, some of whom speak Arabic.
Please pray for the safe and speedy return of Israel’s hostages. Pray for the physical and mental recovery of those hostages who are returning home.
Chosen People Ministries – Israel Staff Serves Needs of Reservists in North
Recently, a small team returned to their homes after a long day along the northern border, serving and praying for the IDF. They report:
Reservists often need to fund and outfit their military supply needs. We decided to help and bless them! From 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. we were supplying needy reservists with items that the army does not supply, specifically warm clothing for Israel’s elevated, colder areas. We stopped by the army supply warehouse and filled our van to the brim with warm clothes and other important gear. After our long drive north, we arrived at a base where 85 percent of the reservists were women. Out of need, the facility was built half-a-year ago and is incredibly high tech. The women were so pleased to receive these important supplies.
After, we drove to a command post on the border with Syria. The main walls and the lookouts were first erected during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. They showed us look-out positions, observing Syria. Again, the soldiers were so pleased with the supply of goods, but they were most happy to have conversations with us. We explained we were Jewish people who believed in Jesus and brought these supplies to express the well wishes of other Jewish and Gentile believers who love Israel. Throughout the whole day, with the women and men, we shared the gospel, and they listened intently!
Please pray that these reservists will think about the truths we talked about and consider Jesus, the Messiah. We came to bless them both by bringing supplies—and most important, our testimony of who Jesus is!
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