[Today’s Prayer] Israeli military postpones airstrikes on hideouts of close associates for several weeks to eliminate 'Hamas second-in-command'

It was reported on the 13th (local time) that Israeli authorities had postponed an airstrike on an area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip for several weeks.

Israeli authorities also monitored a villa lined with palm trees for several weeks in an area called al-Mawash in Khan Yunis. This is because Hamas Khan Yunis Brigadier General Rafa Salameh was staying in this villa with his family and subordinates.

However, Israeli authorities had postponed the airstrike plan, predicting that a more important target, Hamas' second-in-command Muhammad Deif, would visit the location.

As evidence increased that Deif had unusual trust in the commander, including the recent release of a photo of him with Salameh, Israeli authorities predicted that there was a high possibility that the terrorist would visit Salameh's hideout if he were to come to the ground.

In fact, Israeli intelligence authorities received intelligence that Deif appeared at Salameh's villa on the 12th. This news was immediately reported to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and approval was given for an airstrike against the base.

As soon as the Israeli military received additional signs of Deif's presence after 10 a.m. the next day (the 13th), it dispatched fighter jets and dropped at least five American-made precision-guided bombs.

The Israeli military and Shin Bet issued a statement on the afternoon of the 14th, saying that Salameh had been killed in an airstrike the previous day and described him as one of Deif's close associates. At the same time, he was one of the masterminds behind the Israeli raid in October of last year and also performed other duties, including taking responsibility for all weapons, including rockets fired from Khan Yunis into Israeli territory, he added, adding that this achievement significantly reduced Hamas' military capabilities.

Hamas has denied that Deif was harmed, and Israeli officials have said it is likely that Deif was killed, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The Israeli military believes that the information that Deif was at the scene was very accurate, and that if he had died, Hamas would try to hide the truth for some time.

Israeli military sources said dozens of additional agents were present during the strike, including security forces from Deif and Salameh.

Nonetheless, photos purportedly from the site of the airstrike show the bodies of children and the elderly. At least 90 people have been killed and 300 injured, about half of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Gaza health authorities do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

In response, Israeli officials said that they believed there would be little damage to civilians because it was a precision airstrike against targets in the Hamas-controlled compound.

It is currently unclear what effect this airstrike will have on ceasefire talks aimed at stopping fighting in the Gaza Strip and releasing Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

There was a report citing an anonymous Hamas official that Hamas had decided to suspend talks, but Izzat Alishiq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, dismissed it in a statement on the 14th, calling it groundless.

Analysts said some disruption could be expected in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but fundamentally Hamas would still negotiate.

Hamas has no choice but to return to the negotiating table, said Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, who is affiliated with the Palestinian Fatah group, Hamas' main political rival. does not exist. “He is in a very bad position.”

Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:22-23)

God, we hear that the Israeli military has delayed for weeks an airstrike on an entourage hideout to take out Hamas's No. 2 man, Deif.

We pray that you comfort for those who have been affected by the pain of the war, and that the war will end soon, and that the two nations will turn to the Lord God alone

For whose sake is the war being fought, and whose joy is the victory. May they be a nation who recognize the will and heart of the LORD God our Savior.

Have pity on those whose hearts are set on other gods and idols, who do not see you fully, and turn their hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel, to serve him.

Pave the way for the suffering of all to come to a speedy end, and restore us to the people of God, who have peace and joy in the truth.