Gallant: Iran Has Attempted Over 50 Terror Attacks Globally Against Jews in Recent Years: Iran has planned more than 50 terrorist attacks globally against Jews in recent years, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday, July 13, in Azerbaijan, where he is on a visit to strengthen an alliance against the Iranian threat.
“By order of the supreme leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei], in recent years, Iran has led an unprecedented global campaign of terror focused on Israelis and other Jews across the globe,” Gallant said.
“There have been more than 50 attempts in recent years, the majority of which already got to the point of being ready to be carried out but were thwarted at the last minute.”
The plots were thwarted “by virtue of our defense establishment and by virtue of tight cooperation with many foreign countries and by virtue of the understanding that Iran constitutes a threat to the world,” he said.
Israeli efforts to thwart the ayatollahs’ global terrorism continued alongside its efforts to block an Iranian nuclear weapon and Tehran’s weapons smuggling to its proxies on Israel’s borders, he added.
Gallant made the comments not long after meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the capital city of Baku on Thursday, which was in the shadow of a recent Iran-inspired attempted terrorist attack on Israel’s embassy there, and with the Islamic Republic closer than ever to a nuclear weapon. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we thank You for taking care of us and protecting us from Iranian terror. We are also very grateful for our determined and capable defense forces that are able to cooperate with other nations, detect quickly and prevent terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens, as well as Jews worldwide.”
The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.
Iran Stores Arsenal of Ballistic Missiles in Dozens of Bunkers in Hidden Valley – Report: Iran uses a valley in Kermanshah, Iran to base its Qiam-1 ballistic missiles, according to a new report from the Alma Research and Education Center.
“Not only do we have positive identification of the Qiam-1 ballistic missile arsenal in Kermanshah, Iran but you can even look directly into the missile base from an overlooking observation point,” the Center said in the beginning of July.
The report shows Qiam-1 ballistic missiles based at an area around 150 km from the border with Iraq. The missiles are allegedly kept in dozens of bunkers in three underground sites. One of them is in Konesht Canyon.
There are “dozens of missile bunkers” dug into this canyon, the research center says. A video online produced by Alma shows evidence of 61 missile bunkers in the canyon. Footage also shows what a bunker for a Qiam missile might look like.
They also say they have identified 80 other bunkers at a site called Panj Pelleh. These could house Qiam or Fatteh missiles. The canyon site has anti-aircraft weapons as well. (JPost / VFI News)
“You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked.” – Psalm 12:7
Iran: Morality Police Return to the Street Months after Protests: Iranian authorities on Sunday, July 16, announced a new campaign to force women to wear the Islamic headscarf. Following the announcement, morality police returned to the streets 10 months after the death of a woman in their custody sparked nationwide protests, American media reported.
The morality police had largely pulled back following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September. Amini’s death was followed by mass anti-government protests. The government crackdown on the demonstrations resulted in hundreds of people being killed, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands arrested.
The protests largely died down earlier this year following the crackdown, however, the police have urged citizens since to confront unveiled women. Such directives in past decades have emboldened hardliners to attack women.
On Sunday, Gen. Saeed Montazerolmahdi, a police spokesman, said the morality police would resume notifying and then detaining women not wearing hijab in public.
In Tehran, the men and women of the morality police could be seen patrolling the streets in marked vans. (INN /VFI News)
“God, we ask that You protect Iranian women from police brutality and vigilantes. We pray that they will no longer be threatened for choosing to express themselves freely and that they can wear whatever they wish without ending up detained by police forces.”
Palestinian Authority Issues Warning to Gunmen Amid Rising Tension after Jenin Operation: The Palestinian Authority has issued a stiff warning to unruly gunmen in Judea and Samaria, saying it will “cut off the hand of anyone who tries to tamper with the security and stability” of the Palestinians.
In a statement on Monday, July 17, the PA Ministry of Interior, which is in charge of the Palestinian security forces, said in a statement: “The Ministry affirms its full commitment to implement the directives of President Mahmoud Abbas to work continuously to implement the rule of law and provide security and safety for our people.”
“We warn anyone who seeks to harm the security of Palestine and its people.” The warning came amid rising tension between the PA and some armed groups in the aftermath of the large-scale Israeli military operation in Jenin Refugee Camp earlier this month.
The groups claim that the PA security forces have arrested several gunmen over the past few days as part of a larger campaign to end the phenomenon of “resistance” against Israel. The PA, however, said it arrested a number of “outlaws” who participated in an attack on a Palestinian police station near Jenin.
On the first day of the operation, PA security forces arrested two gunmen, Murad Malaisheh and Mohammed Barahmeh, as they were on their way from the village of Jaba’, near Jenin, to take part in the fighting against Israeli troops in Jenin Refugee Camp.
In response, several gunmen attacked the PA police station in Jaba’ with gunfire before setting it on fire. No one was hurt. Jenin’s PA Governor Akram Rajoub described the suspects as “outlaws” and revealed that they belong to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Fatah. (JPost / VFI News)
“Lord, we pray that you would stop those who seek to destroy Israel and we ask for peace and security in our country. We pray that You would give our leaders wisdom on how to handle the situation and develop plans to keep our people safe.”
Warning of ‘Clear and Immediate Danger,’ Ex-Shin Bet Agents Urge Overhaul Be Shelved: A group of 800 former Shin Bet agents on Sunday, July 17, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to shelve the judicial overhaul, warning the legislation poses “a clear and immediate danger” to Israel’s security.
In a letter to Netanyahu and Gallant, the ex-operatives cited the coalition’s plans to curb the courts’ review powers, stressing the importance of an independent judiciary in countering terror. The group released the letter under the name “Shin Bet Veterans for defending democracy.”
“This will bring substantial harm to international recognition of the independence of Israel’s judicial system in Israel,” they wrote.
The group warned Israeli forces “will be exposed to investigations and being put on trial at international tribunals” if the legislation passes, calling the High Court of Justice an “Iron Dome” that provides judicial cover to troops and decision-makers. “This protection will be immediately removed if the legislation is passed,” the agents said.
Separately, the former deputy chief of Military Intelligence’s elite Unit 8200 has told his commander he would no longer volunteer for reserve duty, Israeli media reported. Furthermore, according to a list published Sunday, nearly 4,000 reservists have signed letters threatening to not show up for duty in protest of the planned changes to the judiciary. (TOI /VFI News)
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” – Leviticus 19:15
Biden, Netanyahu to Meet in US after First Phone Call in Months: US President Joe Biden on Monday, July 17, agreed to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the United States, after twice refusing to host him in the White House.
The two leaders spoke by phone after months of increasing friction over Israel’s judicial overhaul process, Iran, and accelerated Judea and Samaria settlement activity.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not say whether the Netanyahu-Biden meeting would take place at the White House, and there was speculation that it could take place on the sidelines of high-level sessions at the UN General Assembly in New York this fall.
Netanyahu updated Biden on the expected passage next week in the Knesset of the reasonableness bill, which is part of the package of judicial overhaul legislation. He assured Biden that consensus talks would be held over the summer on other overhaul bills, even though the reasonableness bill is moving forward without consensus.
Meanwhile, Biden told Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office on Tuesday that the US commitment to Israel remains strong. “Our friendship with Israel is unbreakable…America’s commitment to Israel is firm, is ironclad,” Biden said, adding that he said the same to Netanyahu on the phone on Monday. (JPost /VFI News)
“God, we thank You for gifting us powerful allies and giving our leaders the opportunity to meet with other leaders to further our causes. We pray that Israel and the United States will remain close allies and that we will make additional collaborations with strong nations that will commit to defending Israel.”
Hatzalah Volunteer, 4 Others, Injured in Rock Attack in Samaria: A United Hatzalah volunteer EMT and four others were lightly injured on Monday afternoon, July 17, in a rock-throwing attack on their vehicles near Karnei Shomron. United Hatzalah volunteers provided initial treatment to those injured.
The attack occurred on Highway 55 between Karnei Shomron and Maale Shomron, leaving the volunteer EMT, who was in her car, along with some of her passengers and people in other cars, with light injuries. The volunteer was hit by the rock that smashed her windshield, and other passengers in the vehicle were injured by shattered glass.
The volunteer, a member of the Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Unit, continued driving until she arrived at the Maale Shomron intersection, where she was treated for her injuries before being taken to the hospital for further care and observation.
One of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit leaders and a volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah, Hadas Rucham, was one of the first responders at the scene and said:
“I responded to the incident as an EMT as I work nearby. When I arrived, I found that six vehicles had been hit by the rocks thrown by the attackers. I began treating the injured, all of whom were in light condition. When enough other medical responders arrived, I switched hats and began providing psychological first aid and treating people for anxiety and emotional distress.” (INN / VFI News)
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” – Jeremiah 33:6
World Bank: Over Half of Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and Gaza Suffer from Depression: A study published by the World Bank on Friday, July 14, reveals that over half of the Palestinian population in Judea and Samaria, and Gaza show symptoms of depression.
The study, presented in Ramallah in March, indicates that 50 percent of Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria and 71% of Gazans (58% of all Palestinians in the territories) exhibit symptoms consistent with depression. In addition, 7% of Palestinian adults screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study shows that while depression, anxiety, and PTSD are directly linked to traumatic events — 65% of Gazans and 35% of residents in Judea and Samaria said they had been exposed to a traumatic event in the preceding 12 months — they are also correlated with economic deprivation and “loss of sense of agency” due to high unemployment.
At the end of 2022, the average unemployment rate for Palestinians as a whole was 24%, with a stark disparity between Judea and Samaria (13%) and Gaza (45%). Youth unemployment was particularly high in the strip, at nearly 70%.
The data showed a clear correlation between unemployment and the risk of depression, and between food insecurity and psychological distress, according to the researchers. It also indicated that people with comorbidity, such as a chronic illness (19% of respondents) or a disability (2% of respondents) had higher levels of depression symptoms and PTSD symptoms.
The study was carried out by the World Bank in collaboration with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), and two German non-profits. (TOI / VFI News)
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
