Shalom from Jerusalem,

As summer break in Israel begins, the weight of war is still being carried by children, by parents, and by entire communities.

For many families, there is no home to return to this summer. Their neighborhoods were hit, their houses destroyed or damaged during the war with Iran. Others are still picking up the pieces emotionally and physically after weeks in shelters. From the north to the south, every child and teen across Israel felt the tension. Instead of finishing the school year with friends, field trips, and graduation ceremonies, they ended it in fear, seeking shelter, not celebrating. The war may have ended, but its impact is still unfolding.

Many of these children also watched one or both of their parents be called into reserve duty again. Some waited days in uncertainty, not knowing when or if their mom or dad would come home. And all of this follows nearly two years of constant conflict along the Gaza border.

We pray this summer will be more than just time off from school. We pray it will be a time of healing and hope, a chance for Israel’s youth to rest, to laugh again, to feel safe again. That God would mend the broken pieces of their hearts and restore joy where fear had taken hold.

And we pray for their parents, those holding families together in the wake of war.

Many are stepping into summer already exhausted. They have faced sirens, displacement, financial pressure, and the fear of sending their children out into an uncertain world. Some are still reeling from reserve duty, trying to shift from the battlefield back into daily life. Others are grieving what was lost: time, peace, stability.

We lift them up. That they would be strengthened, supported, and comforted. That they would have the wisdom, energy, and grace needed for the weeks ahead. That God would meet them in their stress, renew their spirits, and give them peace in their homes.

This summer, we are praying for all of Israel, its children, its parents, and its future.

May this be a season of restoration. A time to rebuild. And a moment for God’s peace to do what no human effort can.

Swords of Iron: A War Without Borders

As summer begins, Israel remains engaged in a multi-front war. In June, the nation endured a direct 12-day conflict with Iran, which concluded with a ceasefire but left lasting impact. The Iranian threat continues through its proxies across the region. Active fighting persists in Gaza, Hezbollah maintains near-daily attacks from Lebanon, and terror activity continues in Judea and Samaria. Yemen’s Houthi forces, backed by Iran, are expanding their long-range capabilities. Even under mounting international pressure, Israel remains committed to defending its people and preserving national security.

Frontline Overview — June 2025

Gaza
Throughout June, the IDF carried out targeted operations to dismantle Hamas’s leadership and infrastructure. These missions focused on those responsible for the October 7 massacre and aimed to prevent further attacks. Despite Hamas’s use of human shields, Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid. The toll has been heavy: dozens of Israeli soldiers lost their lives in combat this past month.

Lebanon
Hezbollah maintained steady rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel throughout June. The IDF responded with targeted strikes on launch sites and infrastructure. While many residents have returned to their homes near the border, the situation remains volatile, and communities continue to live under the constant threat of renewed escalation.

Judea and Samaria
Security forces conducted regular counterterror operations, disrupting multiple planned attacks and arresting operatives. Tensions remain high across the region. In addition to clashes with Palestinian residents, recent incidents involving extreme Jewish activists confronting or attacking IDF soldiers have further complicated the security landscape, highlighting deep internal strains.

Iran
From June 13 to 24, Israel fought a direct war with Iran involving widespread missile and drone attacks. Israeli forces responded with targeted strikes on nuclear and military infrastructure. While a ceasefire was reached, Iran continues to fund and direct regional terror proxies, maintaining a broad and active threat network.

Yemen
Iran-backed Houthi forces are developing more advanced missile and drone systems. These emerging capabilities remain under close surveillance due to the potential threat they pose to Israel and the wider region.

• Pray for the threat from Iran. Ask God to put an end to its aggression, disrupt every plan of harm, and bring lasting peace and protection over Israel.
• Pray for divine protection over IDF ground forces in Gaza, air and intelligence units in the north, and security personnel in Judea and Samaria. That God shields every soldier standing in harm’s way and frustrates the plans of those who seek to harm them.
• Pray for Israel’s military leadership and war cabinet, for unity, discernment, and resolve as they make high-stakes decisions in real time. They are guided by wisdom from above, balancing operational effectiveness with moral clarity.
• Pray for the northern front. God empowers the IDF to neutralize threats while preventing wider regional conflict.
• Pray for breakthroughs in hostage negotiations, for supernatural insight, timely pressure, and the safe return of every captive. No deal strengthens Hamas or prolongs terror.
• Pray for success in dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing infrastructure. God’s justice is revealed and evil is uprooted from Gaza.
• Pray for stability in Judea and Samaria, where daily terror activity continues. God protects Israeli communities, and the IDF uncovers and disrupts every plot before it can be carried out.
• Pray for the neutralization of Houthi missile and drone threats, and for God to restrain aggression in the region. Israel is shielded from long-range threats and regional entanglements.

Global Antisemitism and Rising Pressure

In the wake of the war with Iran, hostility toward Israel and Jews has intensified worldwide. Antisemitic threats, incitement, and attacks are increasing. From terror plots abroad to hate speech in public spaces, Jewish communities are facing growing fear, and Israelis are being targeted far beyond the battlefield.

At the same time, international pressure on Israel has escalated. The European Union is reviewing its relationship with Israel, while several countries are pushing for sanctions and suspensions. Much of the criticism ignores the reality Israel faces—a nation defending itself on multiple fronts under constant threat.

Internal Strain and National Resolve

Within Israel, the weight of war is deeply felt. Ongoing conflict, political division, and economic strain have left many exhausted and frustrated. Tensions have also surfaced between fringe settler groups and the IDF, adding to the complexity on the home front.

Even so, unity and resilience continue. Communities are supporting displaced families, caring for soldiers, and praying for the return of the hostages. The need for wise leadership and national unity is more urgent than ever.

Please pray:

• Pray for unity among the people of Israel, that in the face of deep political divisions and military strain, hearts would be drawn together in compassion, shared purpose, and collective resilience.
• Pray that voices of hatred and division would be silenced, and that both leaders and citizens would pursue truth, humility, and dialogue, choosing mutual respect over fear and polarization.
• Pray for protection against the alarming rise in antisemitism across the world. That every lie be exposed, and truth, justice, and accountability dismantle hatred at its root.
• Pray for global support for Israel, that world leaders would have the moral clarity to stand against antisemitic violence and rhetoric, defending Israel’s right to exist, protecting its people, and securing its future.
• Pray for the courage and safety of Jewish communities worldwide, that they would remain strong in identity, faith, and their unbreakable connection to Israel, even amid threats on streets, campuses, and in cultural spaces.
• Pray that governments and institutions would act boldly, enacting real consequences for antisemitic violence and intimidation, and taking meaningful steps to ensure Jews can live freely and without fear.
• Pray that amid the pressure, pain, and complexity of this moment, Israel’s civil society would shine, offering the world an example of resilience, compassion, and unyielding hope in the face of adversity.

Return of the Hostages

In June, Israel recovered the bodies of several hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. Each return is a painful reminder of the brutality of that day and the ongoing effort to bring every captive home, whether alive or fallen.

Fifty hostages remain in Gaza. It is believed that many are still alive. Their families continue to wait in anguish, and every day of delay deepens the pain. This is not a story from the past. It is a crisis unfolding now. We must do everything possible to bring them home.

Please pray:

• Pray for the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza. Ask God to guard their lives, preserve their dignity, and strengthen their spirits in the darkest of places.
• Pray for the families who wait in anguish, that they would be sustained by God’s comfort, courage, and unshakable hope, even as days stretch into months.
• Pray for wisdom and courage for negotiators and decision-makers, that a breakthrough would come swiftly, one that brings freedom without compromise or empowering evil.
• Pray for healing and peace for the rescued and bereaved, that God would restore what has been shattered and walk closely with those returning from captivity and those grieving unimaginable loss.
• Pray that justice and mercy would meet in this hour, that God would transform captivity into deliverance, mourning into dancing, and despair into songs of joy, for the hostages, their families, and the nation of Israel.

HFI PRAYER REQUESTS

Following our nation’s entry into a ceasefire with Iran, threats and tensions remain on multiple fronts. Even in this fragile pause, we remain committed to our vision. We invite you to stand with us in prayer and support as we continue to navigate these challenging times.

MORAN

The unexpected war with Iran in June prevented Moran from being in the field due to the extreme emergency lockdown in Israel. Yet, it was an important opportunity for him to be very active in advocating for Israel online and combating rampant misinformation that was circulating around the war. Those were very intensive 12 days! 

He and his family were spared from any physical harm, thankfully, but they were all affected emotionally in some way. It was stress that they had never experienced, knowing that at any moment, a salvo of ballistic missiles could strike with just a few minutes’ notice to take shelter. 

This month, he will continue to be busy in the field, providing support for families who are trying to rebuild their lives and delivering aid to anyone who is in need. He also continues to oversee the ministry’s Israel advocacy & information project, as it remains crucial for people to receive reliable information out of Israel. There is a possibility that he will travel to the States this month, but will only decide in the near future.

Moran is grateful for God’s provision of an Administrative Manager for our Jerusalem office. She is very capable and dedicated and has great experience in management. This is a timely blessing as two of our staff are out on maternity leave!  Please continue to pray for wisdom & discernment for Moran as he seeks creative solutions in restructuring to meet the new reality in our office.

Please continue to pray for:

• Wisdom regarding the various aspects of the ministry that he oversees.
• Strength & wisdom as he provides support for friends & families who have lost their loved ones in the war.
• Strength, wisdom, protection & health during this intense time.
• Guidance and inspiration as he writes his weekly Scripture commentaries.
• Travel safety & open doors to share about the work of Hope for Israel & advocate for Israel in the event that he does travel.

HFI STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS

Please pray :

• Pray for blessing over our staff & board members who devote time and energy to executing our vision for the ministry.
• Prayer for an operations manager.  
• Pray for a full-time counselor for the NerYah youth group.
• Thank you for praying for the safe delivery of our student coordinator and the birth of her beautiful child. 
• Pray for protection over our media department director during her pregnancy.
• Pray for protection over their families while they serve.
• Pray for wisdom for the board members as they make decisions that impact the ministry in tangible ways.
• Pray for our U.S. representative, Bill Katz, drives and flies thousands of miles weekly to speak on behalf of Hope for Israel, for health & traveling mercies, for protection over his wife and daughter while he is traveling. And for fruitful meetings and speaking engagements. Please pray for protection over Bill during this period as antisemitism continues to grow throughout the world.

THREEFOLD VISION FOR EMPOWERING THE FUTURE GENERATION OF BELIEVERS

NerYah Youth Group

Over the past month, in light of the ongoing war with Iran, we heard from several teens about how they are coping. It was encouraging to hear that they are maintaining a healthy routine and are not ignoring Home Front Command guidelines, evidence of their maturity.

Instead of meeting in person last Thursday, we held a Zoom call with the youth to lift their spirits and help relieve some stress. It was truly heartwarming to see that, as a team, we were able to bring a bit of joy and laughter, even in the midst of such a difficult and challenging time. We’re so grateful for your prayers and support, which continue to make this possible.

Please pray:

• Please pray for our summer programs that God would enable us to continue running activities throughout the season.
• Please pray for the teens that during this difficult time, they would be able to overcome struggles such as smoking, alcohol, and exposure to inappropriate content, with God’s help.
• Please pray for the NerYah team for renewed strength to continue supporting, encouraging, and praying for the youth.
• Pray for the renewed vision for the next school year. 

Believing Soldiers

One of the soldiers recently shared how much the care, support, and conversations we've been having have truly encouraged her during this tough time. That feedback has encouraged us as well. We are so thankful for your prayers and support; they sustain us and the believing soldiers every step of the way.

Please pray:

• Please pray for wisdom in our support and service to the soldiers, that God would guide us in offering exactly what they need.
• Pray for new volunteers with a heart to serve the soldiers to join us.
• Pray for the physical and emotional well-being of the soldiers, especially as the war in Israel continues for a second year and they remain in active service.

Discharged Believing Soldiers

The post-army season is often filled with confusion, questions about what to study, what career path to choose, and now all this is taking place against the backdrop of a war that’s been going on for nearly two years. We are deeply grateful for your continued prayers and support as our released soldiers navigate these challenging transitions.

Please pray:

• Pray for breakthrough in the lives of our released soldiers.
• Pray for guidance and wisdom for our staff coordinator as she provides support and direction to these discharged believing soldiers.

HFI MEDIA PROJECTS

As Israel faces the unrelenting challenges of war, global diplomacy, and psychological warfare, one battle has surged to the forefront: the war over truth. Misinformation, distortion, and outright lies have flooded the media, hijacking headlines and reshaping public opinion with dangerous falsehoods. In a world where narratives are weaponized, the need for clear, grounded reporting from the heart of Israel has never been more urgent.

That’s why our work in the media matters now more than ever. We are committed to showing the reality on the ground, what life is truly like for the people of Israel under fire, under pressure, and under God’s covering. Your prayers and support empower us to keep speaking truth boldly.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to our email updates, we invite you to do so [here]. Your voice, your faith, and your partnership help push back the darkness. Together, we shine light.

Please pray:

• Pray for wisdom in managing ongoing attacks against our platforms and content, and for the cessation of these attacks, especially in the current climate of heightened misinformation.
• Pray for strength and wisdom for our professional media team, who continue to provide media services amidst increased demand and pressure on our organization’s media pages.
• Pray for insight and wisdom to offer fact-based, Scripture-based answers to those who oppose Israel, and for God to use our content to change hearts and minds in this challenging season.
• Pray for the growth of a grassroots movement for Israel advocacy across platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, particularly during this critical time.
• Pray for the creation of informative, engaging articles and other original material that will educate our audience, foster understanding, and encourage unwavering support for Israel.
• Pray for spiritual protection over our team and our content, as we navigate complex and often hostile environments online.
• Pray for insight and efficiency in updating our website and messaging to ensure they remain relevant, accurate, and impactful amidst the current global situation.
• Please pray for the smooth development of our new website. Pray for clear direction, creative design, and effective functionality so it can be a strong tool for truth during this critical time.

TOURS

One of the main objectives of our tour operation is to cover ministry overhead, so that a higher percentage of donations can go to projects. Due to the ongoing security situation, all our groups have either canceled or rescheduled for 2026, leaving the tour operation without any income for the foreseeable future. We postponed the Israel Solidarity Tour to September 2025 – registration is open! We are hopeful that we can fill this tour! 

Please continue to pray:

• Pray for wisdom for Moran & Melissa as they face challenging decisions regarding the tour operations in light of the current war.
• Pray for open doors for “Footsteps of the Apostle Paul” tours to other countries of the Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, etc.)
• Pray for our Solidarity Tour in September to fill up!

MINISTRY FINANCES

While God has faithfully provided for the ministry's operating costs, we ask that you pray that He will also provide for a few large ongoing projects we have in motion so that we will be able to bless more Israelis than ever before. 

IN HIS SERVICE,
THE HOPE FOR ISRAEL PRAYER TEAM