Autopsy Finds Six Hostages Were Shot Multiple Times at Close Range Between Thursday and Friday: The six dead hostages recovered from the Gaza Strip over the weekend were killed 48 to 72 hours before their autopsy, meaning between Thursday and Friday morning, the Health Ministry said on Sunday, September 1.
The ministry added that an examination carried out by Abu Kabir Forensic Institute found that all six hostages were shot multiple times from close range, indicating they were executed.
The IDF had said that Hamas terrorists murdered the hostages relatively shortly before troops located their bodies on Saturday afternoon in a tunnel in Rafah.
The hostages brought back were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27.
Israeli media reported that security officials fear that Hamas executed the six hostages due to the terror group’s concerns that a hostage, Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued alive from a nearby tunnel last week would divulge details about where the other captives were being held.
“Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. (TOI / VFI News)
“Our Heavenly Father, we pray for the families of the six hostages who were brutally murdered by Hamas and we send our sincerest condolences to them. We pray that You comfort them and help them recover in time, mentally and emotionally. We pray for everyone who is affected by their loss and we continue to fervently pray for all the hostages who remain captive, that they will be released or rescued soon in Yeshua’s name. May You bring them out of their captivity and restore everything they lost, according to Your Will.”
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Nationwide Outrage After Hamas Execution of the Six Hostages: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv and elsewhere in the country on Sunday evening, September 1, in the largest protests since October 7, expressing pain and anger and demanding a hostage-ceasefire deal after the army recovered the bodies of the six hostages executed by the Hamas terror group.
Organizers estimated that 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv and an additional 200,000 took part in protests across the country.
Today, hundreds of protesters demanding a deal to free the hostages blocked Namir Road in Tel Aviv, snarling traffic in the north of the coastal city. Groups have marched from various neighborhoods to converge on the key interchange with Rokach Boulevard.
Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon urged: “As our nation mourns the loss of these six beautiful lives, I call upon the Security Council to urgently convene a briefing to condemn Hamas in the strongest possible terms and to address the dire situation of the 101 hostages still held in captivity in Gaza.”
“Despite the passage of nearly 11 months since the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on October 7, the Council has yet to condemn Hamas nor act decisively for the hostages,” he added. (TOI / VFI News)
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Sinwar’s Deputy: No Withdrawal from Philadelphi? No Deal: Senior Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya, who is considered the deputy of the group’s leader Yahya Sinwar, told Qatari media on Sunday, September 1, that there would be no agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire without the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors.
On the recent negotiations for a deal, al-Hayya said that “several technical committees continued the discussions, but [Hamas] did not take part in them and they did not reach any results.”
Last Thursday, the security cabinet decided to approve the continued presence of IDF troops along the Philadelphi Corridor, as part of a possible deal for the release of hostages.
On Sunday, after the IDF recovered the bodies of the six hostages who were murdered by Hamas, Gallant said “The cabinet must gather immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday. It is too late for the hostages who were murdered in cold blood. We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas. The State of Israel will pursue all Hamas leaders and murderers.”
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood firm on IDF retention of the Philadelphi Corridor, stressing that caving now would send a dangerous signal that such tactics work.
“Such a step would be a reward for terrorism and would send a dangerous message to Hamas that killing our hostages pays off,” Netanyahu told the ministers. “This will lead to demands for more and more concessions that will endanger Israel’s security,” he said, according to sources. (INN / VFI News)
“Lord, we pray in Yeshua’s name that You will mediate the release of all the remaining hostages. You are close to the wounded, the captives and the broken-hearted and we ask that the hostages break free from Hamas’ chains and return to their loving families. We pray that You will make a way where there is no way and bring the hostages home.”
Three Wounded by Hezbollah Anti-Tank Missile; 30 Rockets Fired at North on Sunday: A Hezbollah anti-tank guided missile attack wounded three Israelis, including a civilian who was seriously hurt and a member of a northern border community’s local security team who was moderately injured, the military and a hospital said on Sunday, September 1.
Following the targeting of Kfar Yuval, the civilian, a man in his 40s, was brought to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa by helicopter after initially being taken to Ziv Medical Center in Safed.
Ziv Medical Center said the security team member and a third person injured in the attack were in good to moderate condition and were being treated at the hospital.
Meanwhile, 30 rockets were launched at Israel from Lebanon on Sunday, including a barrage of 10 rockets at the Misgav Am area and another 20 at Matat, according to the IDF. There were no injuries in the rocket attacks.
The IDF also said that throughout that day it had struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in Ayta ash-Shab and Bint Jbeil, as well as buildings used by the terror group in Beit Lif, Taybeh, and Odaisseh, among other infrastructure. (TOI / VFI News)
“Dear God, we pray in Yeshua’s name for the full physical recovery and mental health of the three wounded Israelis. We pray that they stay strong emotionally and physically and that they recover from this violent attack and all memories of it. We thank You for protecting us against the multitudes of Hezbollah operatives and strikes and for alerting our defense personnel throughout the ordeals.”
Wassem Hazem, Head of Hamas in Jenin, Eliminated in Strike: On Friday morning, August 30, during the IDF, ISA, and Israel Border Police counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area, the forces identified a terrorist cell led by Wassem Hazem, the head of the Hamas terrorist organization in Jenin, in a vehicle in the area.
Following the identification, Israel Border Police forces, following precise ISA intelligence, encountered and eliminated Hazem.
Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks, and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area.
Shortly afterward, an IDF aircraft eliminated two additional terrorists while they attempted to flee from the vehicle that they were inside with Wassem Hazem.
Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer, two terrorist operatives in the Hamas terrorist organization in Jenin, operated under the command of Wassem Hazem and took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities.
M16 rifles, a handgun, cartridges, explosives, gas grenades, and thousands of shekels worth of terrorist funds were found in the terrorists’ vehicle and in their possession. No IDF injuries were reported. (INN / VFI News)
“Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” – 1 Samuel 12:25
Upstate NY Imam Encourages Columbia Students to ‘Take out’ Pro-Israel Professor: An upstate imam urged student activists to “take out” an outspoken, pro-Israel Columbia University professor who is returning to the embattled Ivy this fall after a year of antisemitic hate.
Vassar-educated, Utica-based imam Tom Facchine made the plea about business school professor Shai Davidai during an August 20 webinar called “Islamic Political Activism” with various Columbia student groups that promoted and broadcast it.
“That Shai Davidai guy: How do we get him in trouble? How do we create a situation in which he’s in jeopardy?” Facchine, 35, asked. “If you’re able to take out somebody like that and make an example, that might shut up a hundred more.” The Jersey-born Facchine left Christianity to become an atheist, found Marx in college and converted to Islam in 2010.
Shai Davidai gained notoriety last October for his viral video blasting the school for failing to protect its Jewish students against terror-supporting mobs and vowing that he would never send his daughter to Columbia.
The nontenured Israeli native and married father of two was barred from campus at the end of last semester and has been under investigation by Columbia’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office. He will be back this fall. (NYP /VFI News)
“Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— You, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.” – Psalm 7:9
Paralympic Swimmer Mark Malyar Dedicates Medal to IDF Soldiers: ‘Thanks to Them We Can Train’: Paralympic medal winner Mark Malyar dedicates his bronze medal in the men’s 100m backstroke to the IDF soldiers fighting to protect the State of Israel.
“I want to thank the soldiers and everyone who protects us, thanks to them we can train and we can get to this point, we’re able to live thanks to them,” he told an Israeli sports broadcaster shortly after his win.
“It felt great to see the flag go up, I feel amazing,” he added shortly after the medal ceremony.
Malyar won three medals at the Tokyo Games and is slated to compete in three additional races in Paris. (TOI / VFI News)
Israeli Archaeologists Discover Unique Ancient Seal Affirming Biblical Account of Jerusalem 2,700 Years Ago: Archaeologists in the City of David National Park in Israel have discovered a rare stone seal from the first temple period – one of the oldest finds since the start of excavations in the country, affirming the biblical role of Jerusalem 2,700 years ago.
“The seal, made of black stone, is one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem, and is executed at the highest artistic level,” Dr. Yuval Baruch and Navot Rom, excavation directors, said in a press release.
Baruch touted the piece as evidence of reading and writing abilities on a wider scale than previously thought during the period.
“The figure of a winged man in a distinct Neo-Assyrian style is unique and very rare in the glyphic styles of the late First Temple period. The influence of the Assyrian Empire, which had conquered the entire region, is clearly evident here,” he added.
On both sides of the figure, an inscription is engraved in the paleo-Hebrew script – “LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu.” The release continues, “The name Yehoʼezer is familiar to us from the Bible (Chron. I 12:6) in its abbreviated form – Yoʼezer, one of King David’s fighters,” while also stating that “in the book of Jeremiah (43:2), describing the events of this very period, a person is mentioned with a parallel name, ʼAzariah ben Hoshʼaya. (FN / VFI News)
Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ – Jeremiah 43:2
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
