Matan Elmeliach z”l, a 26-year-old resident of Ma’ale Adummim was murdered in a shooting terror attack this morning between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adummim. Six other people were injured to varying degrees, including a pregnant woman. The three terrorists who committed the attack were residents of the Bethlehem area. All three were neutralized.

In a reported letter to Hamas leaders abroad, Gazan Hamas leaders apparently called for a partial deal, rather than their previous demands for a full ceasefire. They also signaled readiness to lower other demands and Egyptian and American sources both said that progress had been made in negotiations.

The testimony of one of the women released during November’s hostage deal sadly confirms physical and sexual abuse of hostages, starvation and humiliation. Her group of hostages was held in an underground room with so little oxygen that they could not speak.

After 12 confirmed Hizballah attacks yesterday, an additional anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon scored a direct hit on an Israeli home in the village of Kfar Yuval in the upper Galilee this morning causing a fire. No injuries were reported.

Please pray for comfort for the family of Matan Elmeliach z”l. Please pray for the immediate release of all the hostages. Lastly, please pray for a de-escalation with Hizballah.