Israelis near the Gaza Strip were awakened by war sirens Saturday morning (Oct. 7) after Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on southern Israel.
Israel Hit by Land, Sea, and Air in Surprise Attack by Hamas
The attack came the morning after the last day Jewish people in Israel were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles.
“Citizens of Israel, we are at war—not in an operation, not in rounds—at war.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message addressing his nation.
“This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours,” said Netanyahu. He added, “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price.”
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“In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the army and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win,” Netanyahu stated.
According to reports, thousands of rockets were fired by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip, killing at least 300 Israelis and injuring at least 1,500.
Barbaric images and video clips have flooded social media showing Hamas terrorists executing Israeli civilians, dragging them out of vehicles, and taking women and children as hostages.
ChurchLeaders reached out to a contact in Israel, who said, “Everyone is praying that [the hostages] would come out of this alive.”
The source told ChurchLeaders that Hamas is attempting to get “West Bank Palestinians, Arab Israelis, and Hezbollah to join the war. Israel is working to block that move.”
“Pray through Psalm 122:6,” the source asked. “We want to see them come to faith in Yeshua. And then, the obvious, that God would cause the hostilities to cease.”
The United States National Security Council (NSC) released a statement condemning the “unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians.”
The NSC said there is never any justification for terrorism and that the United States stands “firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.”
Israel right now. pic.twitter.com/zEWSwHIPSj
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2023
President Joe Biden called the attacks “horrific” and said “the United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel.”
“Terrorism is never justified,” he added. “Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
Biden shared that he and the First Lady were praying “for all of the families who have been hurt by this violence” and said that they are “heartbroken by the lives that have been tragically cut short and hope for a swift recovery for all those who have been wounded.”
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“I woke up this morning to hear the shocking news. Israel is at war,” Harvest Christian Fellowship senior pastor Greg Laurie posted. “They have been attacked by the terrorist organization, Hamas, which is backed by Iran…many Israelis taken hostage as thousands of Hamas terrorists stormed across border into Southern Israel.”
Laurie called the attack “an act of pure evil” and said “Israel has every right to defend herself. The Jewish people are back in their homeland as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The Bible tells us to ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Ps.122:6).”
“Pray for the citizens of Israel as well as for the many tourist groups that are there from around the world,” he added. “May God protect them and give wisdom to their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Jack Graham, senior pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, said, “This is a call to prayer for Israel and the people in the region. A horrendous situation perpetrated by terrorists and resourced by the terrorist state Iran. War is now declared and the nations of the world are at risk.”
Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) International Mission Board (IMB) president, Paul Chitwood posted, “Approximately 10 million souls in Gaza and Israel today find themselves in a war zone. Most are innocent of the ongoing atrocities. Few are prepared to face eternity. Pray for peace. Pray for the gospel to be proclaimed and believed.”
Trevin Wax, Vice President of Research and Resource Development at the SBC’s North American Mission Board (NAMB), said, “I won’t link here out of respect to the dead, but the videos and pictures coming out of Israel right now… Scenes of terror and carnage. Horrifying and gruesome. Lord, have mercy, and bring justice.”
