Israel at War: Week 32

With many developments over the weekend, here’s a few stories of current interest:

TWO IRANIAN LEADERS KILLED IN CRASH

On Sunday, near the Azerbaijan border, a helicopter crashed “in foggy conditions. The charred wreckage of the helicopter was found in a mountainous northwestern region.” There were no survivors. Along with President Raisi, whose nickname was “The Butcher of Tehran”, the foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also killed in the crash.

Iranian allies and proxies sent condolences for the loss of the Vice-President, including from the Palestinians who said, “Raisi always supported our resistance against the occupation.” The United States and the UN sent their condolences, as well.

THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT PROSECUTOR SEEKS WARRANTS

International Court prosecutor Karim Khan, has requested warrants from the court for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, and the terror group’s military chief Mohammed Deif.

REACTIONS TO THE WARRANTS

Prime Minister Netanyahu: ‘Absurd’ the ICC bid to arrest Israeli leaders ‘is the new antisemitism.’

“Biden calls the ICC prosecutors decision “outrageous.”

OUTCRY IN ISRAEL AS THE ICC SEEKS WARRANTS FOR ISRAEL

Hamas slams ICC for seeking arrest of its leaders alongside Netanyahu and Gallant.”

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett slammed the ICC move, calling it a sham and demanding its defunding.

All of this plus News From the War Front: 

At the Knesset, the concern for the release of the hostages led to confrontations between ministers “As Hostage Families Butt Heads With MK’s at Raucous Committee Debates”,  and in the streets.

Finally, there were three total deaths in both southern Gaza and northern Gaza, as one Israeli officer was killed in northern Gaza, while two deaths occurred in southern Gaza.

So much activity, so many issues, means there is much to respond to, become aware of, and pray about. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” ( Psalm 122:6).

(Source:  The Times of Israel (TOI))