Over the Passover Seder night and the following Shabbat, the security situation in Israel deteriorated significantly, following clashes on the Temple Mount between Muslim extremists and police. The escalation began when terrorists shot 34 rockets into Israel from Lebanon, followed by 6 from Syria and an additional barrage from Gaza. Israelis in both the north and the south of the country spent much of the weekend in bomb shelters.

Although the rockets from Syria weren’t sponsored directly by the government, government cooperation, or at least tolerance, of the Iranian-backed terrorist organizations within its borders is apparent. Israel responded accordingly, striking not only rocket launching sites but also positions held by the regular Syrian army, as a message to cease cooperation with terrorists. The Lebanese foreign minister condemned the attacks from Lebanon.

In addition, two serious terror attacks occurred, taking collectively three lives. The first attack, in Tel Aviv, resulted in the murder of an Italian tourist and the injury of 7 more. The terrorist, an Israeli Arab, was neutralized. Later that weekend, a shooter murdered two British-Israeli sisters and seriously injured their mother in an attack in the Jordan Valley. IDF forces in the area have yet to apprehend the terrorist.

General tensions remain high, and authorities are braced for more violence.

Please pray for comfort and healing for those who have lost loved ones, and for speedy healing for the injured. Please pray for wisdom for Israel’s political and military leaders, and for decisive action to restore deterrence. Lastly, please pray for God to restore peace to Israel!