Update and Appeal on the Hamas Invasion from Gaza
Dear faithful friends and prayer partners
The nation of Israel is still in shock over yesterday’s mass invasion of Hamas terrorists from Gaza on a quiet Shabbat morning marking the Jewish high holy day of Simchat Torah. Hundreds of terrorists poured through a number of breaches in the Gaza border crossings and fences and laid siege to some 25 Israeli communities, as well as a large crowd gathered for an outdoor music festival in a forest near the border. There are still ongoing gun battles between the IDF and Hamas militiamen in several kibbutzim, and the IDF has yet to regain full control over the entire border area. Meanwhile, Hamas also has fired over 5,000 rockets into Israel over the past 36 hours, injuring hundreds of civilians and damaging many homes and apartments.
The toll of carnage has now surpassed 600 Israelis dead and over 2,000 wounded, while at least 150 Israelis are believed to be held hostage in Gaza. Hundreds more are still missing and unaccounted for, but there was some good news this afternoon as several hundred people who fled the music festival near Re’im were found hiding in a water culvert and are being brought to safety.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “dark day,” and indeed yesterday may turn out to be the highest number of Israeli casualties in a single day in the nation’s modern history. He also vowed that Israeli forces will eliminate the threat posed by Hamas in Gaza. IDF troops have been mobilized and are massing on the border for a major incursion into Gaza, even as Israeli leaders keep an eye on the northern border, where Hizbullah is poised to join the fight from Lebanon. Both terror militias warned of an escalation as of 6:00 PM Israel time this evening.
ICEJ Condemns Massive Hamas Terror Assault on Israeli Civilians
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem completely condemns the treacherous mass assault by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians launched on the high holy day of Simchat Torah. We resolutely stand with the nation and people of Israel in their just cause to vanquish this intolerable threat from their borders, and mourn with them over the loss of so many innocent lives taken in such a sudden and brutal fashion.
“As the full extent of the carnage wrought by Hamas terrorists emerges, it is clear that this well-planned, Iranian-backed operation was not launched due to grievances over the Israeli ‘occupation’ or any real dangers to the al-Aqsa mosque. Rather, it was driven by the ancient “Spirit of Amalek”, which has always targeted Jewish women and children, and the old and weak and feeble of Israel. So, we rise up to confront and expose this hideous reality and to denounce any attempt to justify these heinous acts of Palestinian bloodlust against the Jewish people and nation,” said ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler.
The ICEJ and its global network of national offices are committed to standing with Israel in this critical hour through prevailing prayer, urgent financial assistance, and public advocacy of Israel’s right and duty to defend its citizens.
Prayer Points
We urge all Christians to be praying as follows:
1) Pray for the safe return of all hostages being held in Gaza and on Israeli territory. There are believed to be at least 100 hostages in the hands of Hamas, and their safe release is a priority. There are hopeful reports today that some hostages have been freed both in Israel and Gaza, but more miraculous intervention from heaven is needed.
2) Pray for wisdom, unity and resolve among Israeli leaders to make the best decisions for the nation in confronting and crushing Hamas, Hizbullah and other Iranian-backed terror militias threatening Israel.
3) Pray for strength and a fighting spirit to infuse all the Israeli military.
4) Pray for God's mighty hand of restraint against Hizbullah in Lebanon.
5) Pray that the Lord would shut every lying tongue which would seek to justify this violence and carnage against Israel and the Jewish people.
6) Pray that all Israelis, both in the Land and abroad, will be shielded from any harm and lone-wolf assignments arising from within the Arab and Muslim communities.
Urgent Appeal for Israel
The ICEJ continues our urgent appeal for Christians worldwide to stand with Israel at this time of war and crisis by providing financial assistance for the most immediate needs arising out of this conflict. We are consulting with our long-term Israeli partners – both in the Gaza border area and nationally – and the following needs will be given first priority:
1) Evacuation of Israeli residents and recently arrived immigrants from the Gaza border areas to safer respite centers elsewhere in the country.
2) Providing food packages to families who lost their homes or were evacuated from their communities.
3) Basic needs and first response aid, including medical and trauma care.
4) More mobile bomb shelters, which are especially needed to protect areas not covered by Iron Dome. We are ordering five new shelters and ask for your help for us to provide more as soon as possible.
Donate today at: give.icej.org/crisis
GIVE TODAY
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Jürgen Bühler
ICEJ President

關於哈馬斯從加薩入侵的最新情況和呼籲
親愛的忠實朋友和禱告夥伴
昨天，在一個安靜的安息日早晨，以色列國仍然對哈馬斯恐怖分子從加薩大規模入侵感到震驚，這一天是猶太教最高聖日《妥拉節》。 數百名恐怖分子湧入加薩邊境口岸和柵欄的多個突破口，包圍了約 25 個以色列社區，大批人群聚集在邊境附近的森林裡參加戶外音樂節。 以色列國防軍與哈馬斯民兵在多個基布茲的槍戰仍在持續，以色列國防軍尚未完全控制整個邊境地區。與此同時，哈馬斯在過去 36 小時內也向以色列發射了 5000 多枚火箭彈，造成數百名平民受傷，並損壞了許多房屋和公寓。
目前，大屠殺造成的死亡人數已超過 600 名以色列人，超過 2000 人受傷，據信至少有 150 名以色列人在加薩被扣為人質。 仍有數百人失踪，下落不明，但今天下午有一些好消息，數百名逃離雷伊姆附近音樂節的人被發現藏在水涵洞中，並已被送往安全地帶。
以色列總理內塔尼亞胡稱這是“黑暗的一天”，事實上，昨天可能是以色列現代歷史上單日傷亡人數最多的一天。 他還誓言以色列軍隊將清除哈馬斯在加薩構成的威脅。 以色列國防軍部隊已經動員起來，正在邊境集結，準備大規模攻入加沙，而以色列領導人則密切關注北部邊境，真主黨準備從黎巴嫩加入戰鬥。 截至以色列時間今晚 6:00，兩支恐怖民兵均警告局勢升級。
ICEJ 譴責哈馬斯對以色列平民的大規模恐怖攻擊
耶路撒冷國際基督徒大使館強烈譴責哈馬斯恐怖分子在神聖的《妥拉日》聖日對以色列平民發動的危險的大規模襲擊。 我們堅決與以色列國家和人民站在一起，致力於消除來自其邊境的這一無法容忍的威脅，並與他們一起哀悼如此突然和殘酷的方式奪走的這麼多無辜生命。
「隨著哈馬斯恐怖分子造成的大屠殺的全面浮出水面，很明顯，這次精心策劃、伊朗支持的行動並不是由於對以色列『佔領』的不滿或阿克薩清真寺面臨的任何真正危險而發起的。 相反，它是由古老的“亞瑪力的靈”驅動的，它始終針對猶太婦女和兒童以及以色列的年老體弱者。 因此，我們奮起面對並揭露這一可怕的現實，並譴責任何為極端巴勒斯坦人針對猶太人民和民族的殘暴行徑辯護的企圖。」ICEJ總裁尤根布勒博士說。
ICEJ 及其全球國家辦事處網絡致力於在這一關鍵時刻透過普遍祈禱、緊急財政援助以及公開倡導以色列保護其公民的權利和義務，與以色列站在一起。
禱告要點
我們懇切邀請所有基督徒進行如下禱告：
1）為加薩和以色列領土上被扣押的所有人質安全返回祈禱。 據信至少有100名人質落入哈馬斯手中，他們的安全獲釋是當務之急。 今天有充滿希望的報道稱，以色列和加薩的一些人質已獲釋，但還需要來自天堂的更多神蹟般的干預。
2）祈求以色列領導人有智慧、團結和決心，為國家做出最好的決定，對抗和鎮壓哈馬斯、真主黨和其他威脅以色列的伊朗支持的恐怖民兵。
3) 祈求主賜力量和戰鬥所需的精神的注入所有以色列軍隊。
4) 求神大能的手來約束黎巴嫩的真主黨。
5) 祈求主封住每一個試圖為針對以色列和猶太人民的暴力和屠殺辯護的謊言。
6）祈求主賜所有以色列人，無論是在國內還是在國外，都將免受來自阿拉伯和穆斯林社區內部的任何傷害和獨狼式任務。
對以色列的緊急呼籲
ICEJ 繼續緊急呼籲世界各地的基督徒在戰爭和危機時刻與以色列站在一起，為這場衝突中最迫切的需求提供財政援助。 我們正在與我們在加薩邊境地區和全國範圍內的長期以色列合作夥伴進行協商，以下需求將被優先考慮：
1）將以色列居民和最近抵達的移民從加薩邊境地區疏散到該國其他地方更安全的休息中心。
2) 向失去家園或從社區撤離的家庭提供食物包。
3) 基本需求和急救援助，包括醫療和創傷護理。
4）更多的移動式的防空洞，特別需要保護沒有被鐵穹系統覆蓋的區域。 我們正在訂購五個新的避難所，並請求您的幫助，以便我們盡快提供更多避難所。
今天邀請您奉獻: give.icej.org/crisis
您在基督裡，
布勒博士
ICEJ總裁