Inside Israel News
Week of July 13, 2026
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Cease-Fire Broken Between U.S. and Iran After Ships on Hormuz Struck
Two weeks ahead of the deadline, Iran abrogated the terms of the two-month memorandum of understanding (MoU) established between it and the U.S. regarding maritime crude oil traffic in the Hormuz Strait and Iran’s intention to expand its nuclear capability.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck commercial oil tankers transporting their cargo via an alternate route along the Gulf of Oman. This trajectory is supervised by the American naval forces and, unlike the Strait of Hormuz, is beyond the purview of the IRGC.
In mid-July, the U.S. launched missiles targeting Iranian arsenals and military personnel between Hormuz and the Iranian coast. Conflicting reports claim that over 30 and 260 were killed and wounded, respectively, in this attack. The numbers of civilian losses remain unspecified.
The IRGC then retaliated by bombarding U.S. installations in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Both Bahrain and Jordan reported that they intercepted and neutralized several Iranian missiles, thereby mitigating civilian casualties.
President Donald Trump said that the U.S. will target bridges and power plants in imminent retaliatory strikes unless Iran desists and honours all conditions of the MoU. In response, Iran threatened to ramp up oil prices dramatically and further blockade exports internationally.
Though the U.S. has already vowed to reopen Hormuz by sheer brute force if need be, military and civilian logistics experts warn that a very large naval fleet and thousands of ground troops will be required for such a mission.
The Strait of Hormuz is a conduit for 20-25% of the world’s crude oil. It was closed on February 28 when the U.S. initiated air strikes against Iranian arsenals, military bases, and government officials.
Pray for:
- Peaceful resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict over the Hormuz Strait
- Godly wisdom & direction for civilian and military leaders
- Reduction of loss of human life and property damage
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U.S. President Urging Israeli P.M. to Withdraw IDF from Syria & Lebanon
In a recent telephone conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump strongly encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider ordering the withdrawal of all Israel Defence Forces troops both from Lebanon and Syria.
President Trump expressed his deep concerns that the sustained IDF presence inside the borders of Israel’s neighbouring nations could exacerbate existing tensions and result in the escalation of international hostilities.
Though the U.S. tried to forge a security agreement between Israel and Syria, PM Netanyahu was unwilling to comply with any of its terms and conditions—especially not a military pullout. He insisted that buffer zones between Israel and both Lebanon and Syria were essential.
Israel was willing to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their efforts to purge southern Lebanon of any Hezbollah strongholds. To this end, the IDF was initially prepared to withdraw from two pilot zones, and the LAF would occupy them instead.
To date, however, the IDF remains in the pilot zones. Their withdrawal is being mediated by Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Both men are optimistic that diplomatic talks will culminate in compliance with the plan.
This past March, Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon attacked northern Israel with drones and rockets. A June meeting in Washington drafted an accord to disarm Hezbollah, mobilize LAF troops, and pull out IDF personnel from the 10-km buffer zone inside Lebanon along its border with Israel.
However, Hezbollah spokespersons stated that their organization refuses to recognize or honour the terms of this agreement. Moreover, civilian settler activists such as members of the Uri Tzafon religious Zionist movement have illegally crossed the northern border into Lebanon.
For these reasons, PM Netanyahu demands that the IDF presence remain within the ten-kilometer buffer zone inside Lebanon as long as Hezbollah enclaves are maintained and settler activists unlawfully enter and reside there.
Pray for:
- Complete removal of Hezbollah presence from southern Lebanon
- End to Lebanese Hezbollah backing and funding from/by Iran
- Protection and safety of civilians on both sides of the border
U.S. Muslim Groups Oppose Antisemitism & Support Israel
The Unbreakable Bond Coalition (UBC) of New York launched a campaign to oppose the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement sanctioned by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Coalition spokespersons stated that their aim is to “benefit Israel, its Arab citizens, and Palestinians employed by Israeli companies.” They claim that movements like BDS may, in fact, “harm [those] they claim to support.”
The Coalition believes that building economic bridges between the diverse communities in Israel could foster dialogue and partnerships that could pave the way toward peace among the various ethnic groups in the Holy Land.
Member groups of the Coalition include the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), the Muslim Women Speakers Bureau, the Global Youth Unity Project (GYUP), Abraham PRC [Publishing and Research Center], and Muslims Israel Dialogue.
By October 9—around third anniversary of the Hamas invasion of southern Israel—the Coalition intends to raise half a million dollars, buy Israel treasury bonds, and support the pro-Israel groups Sharaka, Jerusalem Interfaith Center, Combat Antisemitism Movement, and Debate for Peace.
Some Muslim spiritual leaders like Sheikh Musa Drammeh have already thrown their support behind the Coalition. He has publicly opposed the BDS and the anti-Zionist sentiments of Mayor Mamdani, visited Israel, and joined NYC’s annual Israel parade and the March of the Living in Auschwitz.
In 2005, over 170 Palestinian civil society organizations in Israel and the Diaspora launched the BDS movement ostensibly to use economic sanctions rather than violence or warfare to counter what they consider to be the “illegal occupation” of Palestinian territories by Israel.
Pray for:
- Success of the pro-Israel fundraising campaign of the UBC
- Peaceful resolution to the terrorist-driven conflicts in the Holy Land
- Saving knowledge of Yeshua among Jews and Gentiles in Israel
Torah Study Now a Foundation & New Basic Law in Israel
The 120-member Knesset just passed by a 63-52 vote a new ruling making Torah study a foundational value of the State of Israel. This legislation adds to Israel’s existing set of Basic Laws which it has compiled in lieu of a formalized constitution.
“Basic Law: Torah Study” was sponsored by Yaakov Asher and Moshe Gafni who are both MKs, attorneys, and members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party of Israel.
MKs Asher and Gafni stated that “Torah study is a foundational value in the heritage of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” A clause in an earlier version of the bill declared long-term Torah study as a “significant service to the state.” However, it was later removed following objections from opposition MKs including members of PM Netanyahu’s Likud party.
Rebuttals from members of UTJ and other Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties in Knesset included the assertion that Torah study “adds significant value and service” to the State of Israel—comparable to that of service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The centrist opposition countered with allegations that the Haredi position on the first draft of the Torah study Basic Law was nothing more than an attempt to prolong the exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service during the ongoing wars in the Holy Land.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Israel ordered the Netanyahu administration to take the necessary punitive measures against draft dodgers. In fact, the Supreme Court held the federal government in contempt for their failure to enforce existing conscription legislation.
Sanctions against resisters would include the suspension of state benefits such as welfare, family allowances, housing subsidies, and so on. Pressure to enforce such penalties have increased in the wake of the wars on and since October 7, 2023. In response, over 1,000 Haredim have enlisted, leaving about another 70,000 Haredi men who are eligible for the draft.
Pray for:
- Protection and safety of regular and reservist IDF personnel
- Opening of eyes & hearts of Haredim to Yeshua during Torah study
- End to war and hostilities between Israel and neighbouring nations
Discipling New Israeli Believers
Recently, our Chosen People Ministries staff in Israel has had the joyous opportunity to disciple and walk alongside a number of new believers, as well as people who desire to dive deeper into their walk with the Lord. The questions, the conversations, and the time spent in God’s Word and prayer are priceless.
There have also been a few Israelis returning from abroad—places like New Zealand, Australia, and Japan—who have recently become believers. Our global network has connected us with the returning Israeli travelers to continue the dialogue about Jesus.
Please pray for these connections between our staff and those being discipled, and for their quality time while sitting together, talking about Jesus the Messiah, studying the Word, and applying it to our lives. It is a tremendous gift to walk with someone as they are being discipled! Pray for their walk with the Lord to deepen and for their love for the Lord to increase (including for the staff who are doing the discipling).
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