The IDF prevented early Monday morning attacks by Hamas gunmen emerging from tunnels as 82 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel on Monday, of which 14 were successfully intercepted by the Iron Dome. These actions followed a press conference late Sunday in Tel Aviv, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed pain and heartfelt condolences at the loss of 13 Israeli soldiers in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City on Sunday. An armed personnel carrier transporting seven Golani Brigade soldiers was struck by ananti-tank mine and then pinned under machine gun fire. All seven soldiers were killed. Six more lost their lives in a series of confrontations, including three men from the Orev platoon, who were hit by an anti-tank missile. Fifty-three Israeli soldiers were injured during the ground offensive on Sunday—five very seriously.
As Operation Protective Edge hits the two-week mark, 18 tunnels have been destroyed.
Captain Eytan Buchman, an active reservist in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said, “The IDF was forced to respond to heavy resistance by Hamas fighters who had deployed within homes and tunnels in the town.” The Hamas terrorist operatives continue to infiltrate Israel in order to maim and murder, and the Israeli army was aware for days that it would have to enter Shejaiya, a senior official told “The 
Times of Israel.” Leaflets, broadcasts, and telephone calls were all implemented to urge the civilian population to evacuate in an attempt to avoid civilian casualties. Hamas, however, ordered the civilians to stay in their homes.
The Prime Minister confirmed that he was in touch with many regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and proclaimed that fighting may last many more days, but Israel would “open new channels” in terms of future peace talks. Netanyahu said the battle was another phase of the ongoing onslaught against the Jewish national homeland in Israel.
The IDF reports that more than 1,790 rockets have been fired from Gaza at Israel, including a rocket this morning that fell in the Ashkelon neighborhood. No damage was caused, but several Israelis are being treated for shock. Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said, “There is a significant likelihood that the current ground operation will end with Israel retaking full control over Gaza.”
Your prayers are needed for:
- The safety of the Israeli soldiers who have been sent to Gaza
- The wounded and grieving families on both sides
- Hearts and minds to be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit
- The Jewish People to find true peace in the Messiah, Yeshua, the Prince of Peace
- The end of further civilian casualties on both sides
- The Messianic Community in Israel to continue to provide assistance with necessary food and supplies for those forced into the bomb shelters
- The exhausted care-givers, doctors, nurses, hospital and emergency personnel to be supernaturally strengthened in mind and body by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
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