The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel or NRBTV. 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.
Houthis, Assessing $500 Million Damage from Israeli Strikes on Airport, Vow Response
Israel’s attack on the airport in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa destroyed terminal buildings and caused half a billion dollars in damage, its director told Houthi media on Wednesday, May 7.
Israel launched two days of strikes in response to the group’s repeated missile and drone attacks on the country, including one missile that hit inside the grounds of Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. However, on Tuesday the US announced it would end its own bombing campaign against the Houthis who, it said, had agreed to stop attacking ships in vital Middle East maritime routes.
The agreement did not cover the Houthis’ attacks on Israel, and already on Wednesday, a drone launched
apparently from Yemen was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. Khaled al-Shaief, the director of the Sanaa airport, told the rebels’ media on Wednesday that some $500 million in losses were caused by the Israeli strikes.
“The enemy destroyed the terminals at Sanaa airport, including all equipment and devices,” he said, adding that a warehouse was also “completely leveled.” He noted that Yemenia Airways lost three planes, adding that a total of six planes had been destroyed.
“There are alternatives to temporarily reopen the airport, and we need a long time to rehabilitate it and restore operations,” he said. The IDF said that the airport was used by the Houthis “for transferring weapons and operatives, and is regularly operated by the Houthi regime for terror purposes.” (TOI/VFI News)
Prayer point: “Dear Lord, we pray in Yeshua's Name that You protect us from all terror organizations wishing to harm us. Please, strengthen our defense personnel and alert them at all times so they can intercept any incoming attacks efficiently. We pray that You remove the terrorists from society once and for all. We pray that we can have peace with all our neighbors and prosper in the land You have given us.”
Netanyahu: ‘We Know for Sure that 21 Hostages Are Alive, Doubt about Three More’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, May 7, addressed remarks made by US President Donald Trump regarding the number of living hostages and admitted that the situation of three of them is unknown."We know for sure that there are 21 living hostages. There is doubt regarding three more," Netanyahu stated.
Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday and stated that 21 of the 59 remaining hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza are still alive. "They told me a few days ago that there are only 21 hostages alive in Gaza," he said. “As of today, it’s 21. Three have died."
Following Trump's remarks, Coordinator for the Hostages and Missing Gal Hirsch issued a statement in which he clarified, "Currently, 59 hostages are being held by the Hamas terrorist organization. 24 of them are listed as living hostages. 35 of them are listed as deceased hostages, with their deaths having been officially confirmed."
Hirsch explained, "54 of the hostages are Israeli citizens. Five of the hostages are foreign citizens. The Captives and Missing Persons Unit maintains continuous contact with all the hostages' families, and we are available to them for updates, clarifications, and reviews through various means at all times."
"All the hostages' families are always updated with the information we have regarding their loved ones," Hirsch added. (INN/VFI News)
Prayer point: “Our Heavenly Father, we come before You and lift up our hostages and their families in prayer. We ask that You protect, strengthen and free them as soon as possible. We thank You for protecting them so far and preserving their lives. We are grateful that You are close to the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds, and we ask You to be the rock, refuge and salvation of all the remaining hostages. Please help them, shield them, heal them and deliver them from all their troubles. In Yeshua's Name we pray.”
Israel Prepares Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ to Take Over Gaza, Clear Hamas
Israel called up its military reserves Sunday, May 4, to prepare for a massive new operation, “Gideon’s Chariots,” in which it plans to re-conquer Gaza and eliminate Hamas, neighborhood by neighborhood, over several months.
The Israeli government says that it will carry out the operation if Hamas does not agree to a hostage deal by the end of the forthcoming visit of President Donald Trump to the region, which will be from May 13 to 16.
Military analysts describe “Gideon’s Chariots” as a classic “clear, hold, build” strategy to root out Hamas and create new, credible, demilitarized civilian authorities to govern the Palestinian communities in Gaza.
Israel plans to use military pressure to rescue the remaining hostages in a new way: not by pressuring Hamas leadership, which has been unwilling to compromise, but by isolating Hamas cells that are holding captives.
Israel plans to keep the IDF in Gaza indefinitely. US President Donald Trump has suggested taking control of Gaza, once the Israeli military has removed Hamas, without US troops involved. (BB/VFI News)
Israel Shuts Down Six Illegal UNRWA Schools in Eastern Jerusalem
The Education Ministry announced on Thursday, May 8, that six schools affiliated with UNRWA in eastern Jerusalem have been ordered to cease operations after being found to function without proper licensing, Jewish media reported.
“These institutions were operating illegally and without licenses,” the ministry stated, adding that notifications were sent out to parents in recent months instructing them to enroll their children in officially recognized schools across the capital.
The ministry further emphasized its intention to ensure a smooth transition for affected students: “We will ensure the immediate and optimal integration of all students.” UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini criticized the move, calling the closures “an assault on children.”
The closures come in the wake of a government directive issued last month, enforcing legislation passed by the Knesset in October to end all cooperation with UNRWA and bar its activities within Israeli jurisdiction.
A week after the Knesset passed the legislation, then-Foreign Minister Israel Katz officially announced the
cancellation of the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA, which formed the legal basis for relations between the State of Israel and UNRWA. The legislation officially took effect on January 30. (INN/VFI News)
Prayer point: “Dear God, we pray for all the children who have been receiving one-sided false education that incites them to hatred and violence against the Jewish people. We pray in Yeshua's Name that You take over the education system among the Palestinians and prevent their children from being indoctrinated and viewing Israelis and Jews as their enemies. We know that You love the little children and we put them in Your hands to guide,protect and instill Your love in their hearts.”
WATCH: Dror Yikra | Barry and Batya Segal Music
Experience the timeless beauty of "Dror Yikra," one of the most cherished Shabbat songs across Jewish communities for generations. In this captivating performance, Barry and Batya bring their unique style to a spiritual masterpiece, celebrating the Sabbath as a day of rest, freedom,and renewal. "Dror Yikra" was written by Dunash ben Labrat, a 10th-century poet and linguist who studied under rabbi Sa'adia Ga'on. It is regarded as the first song written specifically for Shabbat, highlighting themes of spiritual redemption and the sacred bond between the people of Israel and the Sabbath. "Dror Yikra" reflects the Sabbath as a time for spiritual renewal and liberation—a foretaste of the world to come. Just as the Sabbath and the people of Israel protect one another, this sacred day offers freedom from routine and a connection to divine purpose.
[ https://youtu.be/exT-iiszhMU ]
Trump: Iran’s Centrifuges Will Either ‘Blow up Nicely’ in A Deal Or ‘Viciously’ Without One
US President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday, May 7, that he is seeking to “blow up” Iran’s nuclear centrifuges through an agreement with Tehran, but is also prepared to blow them up in an attack if necessary.
Asked during an interview on a conservative talk show whether the US told Iran to choose either to turn over its nuclear centrifuges and uranium or to “get bombed,” US President Donald Trump responded, “It’s that simple.”
For their part, Iranian officials have asserted that they will never dismantle their nuclear centrifuges. “I would much prefer a strong, verified deal where we actually blow them up… or just de-nuke them,” Trump said. “There are only two alternatives there, blow them up nicely or blow them up viciously.”
Earlier in the day, though, when Trump was asked by reporters whether the US position is to allow Iran to have a limited nuclear enrichment program, Trump responded, “We haven’t made that decision yet. We will.”
The separate comments further underscored the lack of clarity regarding the administration’s position on Iran, as some officials have said they are prepared to allow Iran to have limited enrichment capabilities, while others have said that they want the nuclear program completely destroyed.
On Sunday, Trump said that the aim of his administration’s nuclear talks with Iran is to achieve “total
dismantlement” of Tehran’s nuclear program, but that he is open to letting the Islamic Republic pursue civilian nuclear energy. (TOI/VFI News)
“Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” - Luke 1:78-79
Marco Rubio Orders State Department to Close Office of Palestinian Affairs
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the Department of State to close the Office of Palestinian Affairs and merge it with the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, according to several reports.
Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson with the Department of State, confirmed during a hearing that U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee would be taking “the steps necessary to implement the merger over the coming weeks,” according to American media.
“This decision will restore the first Trump term framework of a unified US diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital that reports to the US ambassador to Israel,” Bruce said.
“Ambassador (Mike) Huckabee will take the steps necessary to implement the merger over the coming weeks.” Bruce added that the move to close the Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA) was “very similar to what’s happening here with the bureaus” and explained that “it is making sure that the issues that are important are all working together right” and “not segmented.”
“It really is actually very similar to what’s happening here with the bureaus, with our reorganization,” Bruce said. “It is making sure that the issues that are important are all working together right, are not segmented out so that the interests of the embassy — very, very much like the interests of our foreign aid and other actions — can work together in the Bureau as one entity.” (BB/VFI News)
Dozens of Masked Anti-Israel Protesters Arrested After Storming Columbia Library
Dozens of anti-Israel protesters taking over Columbia University’s Butler Library were hauled out by NYPD cops on Wednesday, May 7 — and Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to review their visa status.
Around 80 agitators were taken into custody Wednesday evening, sources told American media, as the Ivy League school faced another chaotic day on its Morningside Heights campus that officials said left a pair of school safety officers injured.
Video obtained by the news outlet showed a line of protesters led out in zip ties by NYPD cops and onto waiting police buses. “We are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library,” Rubio said on X.
The mob of demonstrators initially shoved past a security guard at the library’s front entrance, according to footage of the scene — disrupting students who were attempting to gear up for final exams.
Once inside, they draped large signs over bookshelves, one declaring the library a “liberated zone” and another bearing the name of Bassel al-Araj, a Palestinian activist killed by the IDF in a 2017 raid in Judea and Samaria —though they misspelled his first name as “Basel.” (NYP/VFI News)
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” - 1 John 4:20
Ecuador’s President: Israel Aiding Us in Fight Against Cartel Violence
Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa said on Thursday, May 8, that his country is receiving intelligence support from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it grapples with surging cartel violence linked to cocaine trafficking.
Speaking to French media during a diplomatic tour in Paris, Noboa said both Israel and the UAE had agreed to share intelligence with Quito to curb the deadly influence of drug cartels. “They agreed to provide intelligence to help,” said the 37-year-old leader, who was recently re-elected.
The once-tranquil Andean nation has witnessed an alarming spike in violence, with homicides reaching an average of one per hour earlier this year. As part of a broader international outreach, Noboa met with leaders in Europe and the Middle East, including visits to Italy, Spain, Britain, France, Israel, and the UAE.
“In conversations with the Israeli and Emirati leadership, we discussed cooperation on security at ports and borders… since the violence is there, in the areas or on the routes to the ports,” he explained.
During Noboa’s visit to Israel this week, he officially launched Ecuador’s Innovation Research and Development Center in Jerusalem. Noboa also visited the Western Wall Plaza while in Israel, where he was seen wearing the hostages' pin on his lapel. (INN/VFI News)
“Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” - Matthew 5:42
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
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Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff
