Prophecy News Watch - October 17, 2023
Around the World
Iran can’t access $6 billion from hostage deal, Biden official tells Dems
The Biden administration is assuring congressional Democrats that Iran will not be able to access a $6 billion account in Qatar.
Man Shouting “Allahu Akbar” Kills Two In Brussels
A gunman shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is Greatest”) shot at bystanders and killed at least two people in Brussels late Monday, sources said.
Poland Opposition Claims Victory In Elections
Poland’s political opposition declared victory on Sunday in what they viewed as the nation’s most crucial election since 1989, when a new democracy was born after decades of communist rule.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Announces Evacuation Of Residents Living Near Lebanon
Israel will begin evacuating residents living near Lebanon as threats to the country’s north continue, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a tweet on Monday.
Hamas: About 250 hostages in Gaza, ground incursion ‘doesn’t scare us’
Hamas spokesperson, Abu Obeida, on Monday announced there are currently between 200 and 250 hostages being held in Gaza following the terror group’s brutal attack on October 7.
United States President Joe Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday
U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on early Tuesday morning.
Israel Army Kills Hamas Intelligence Leader
Israel’s military said Monday that it had killed the intelligence leader of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist militant group blamed for the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah.
Hamas Rockets Hit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv During Opening Knesset Session; Legislators Hiding
A major barrage of rockets launched by Hamas militants targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Monday, halting a session of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, Worthy News learned.
Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch Offers to be Exchanged for Gaza Hostages; Christians Hiding
The envoy of Pope Francis for the Holy Land told Hamas militants on Monday that he is ready to be exchanged for the release of Israeli children held as hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Inside the United States
U.S. selects roughly 2,000 troops for potential deployment to support Israel
The Pentagon has selected a contingent of roughly 2,000 soldiers for a potential deployment in support of Israel ahead of possible Israeli land invasion of the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of the Hamas terrorist group.
Prior to recent attack on Israel, antisemitic incidents in US at historic levels
Prior to the Hamas, and now Hezbollah, attacking Israel, and as pro-Palestinian rallies and protests occur nationwide, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. were already at historic highs.
Biden to Push Israel, Ukraine Aid Package Well Over $2 Billion This Week
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that the Biden administration hopes to push a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine through Congress that will be significantly higher than $2 billion.
Christian News
Indonesia: Permit for Christian school withdrawn following pressure from Islamic groups
A Christian in school in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, has been told its permit will be withdrawn following pressure applied on local officials by Muslims, including members of the banned Islamic Defenders Front (IDF), Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
11 Church of England Bishops Reject Denominational Blessings for Same-Sex Couples
Eleven Church of England bishops have announced that they reject the denomination’s House of Bishops’ plans to introduce blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in legal partnerships, Christian Today (CT) reports. The ceremonies involve denomination-approved Prayers of Love and Faith that clergy who have chosen to conduct such blessings can use.
India: Radical Hindus attack, hospitalize Christians in Chhattisgarh state
Radical Hindu nationalists attacked a group of newly Christian believers in India’s Chhattisgarh state recently, causing a number of victims to be rushed to hospital, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, India ranks 11 on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Iran can’t access $6 billion from hostage deal, Biden official tells Dems
The Biden administration is assuring congressional Democrats that Iran will not be able to access a $6 billion account in Qatar.
Man Shouting “Allahu Akbar” Kills Two In Brussels
A gunman shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is Greatest”) shot at bystanders and killed at least two people in Brussels late Monday, sources said.
Poland Opposition Claims Victory In Elections
Poland’s political opposition declared victory on Sunday in what they viewed as the nation’s most crucial election since 1989, when a new democracy was born after decades of communist rule.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Announces Evacuation Of Residents Living Near Lebanon
Israel will begin evacuating residents living near Lebanon as threats to the country’s north continue, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a tweet on Monday.
Hamas: About 250 hostages in Gaza, ground incursion ‘doesn’t scare us’
Hamas spokesperson, Abu Obeida, on Monday announced there are currently between 200 and 250 hostages being held in Gaza following the terror group’s brutal attack on October 7.
United States President Joe Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday
U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on early Tuesday morning.
Israel Army Kills Hamas Intelligence Leader
Israel’s military said Monday that it had killed the intelligence leader of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist militant group blamed for the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah.
Hamas Rockets Hit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv During Opening Knesset Session; Legislators Hiding
A major barrage of rockets launched by Hamas militants targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Monday, halting a session of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, Worthy News learned.
Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch Offers to be Exchanged for Gaza Hostages; Christians Hiding
The envoy of Pope Francis for the Holy Land told Hamas militants on Monday that he is ready to be exchanged for the release of Israeli children held as hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Inside the United States
U.S. selects roughly 2,000 troops for potential deployment to support Israel
The Pentagon has selected a contingent of roughly 2,000 soldiers for a potential deployment in support of Israel ahead of possible Israeli land invasion of the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of the Hamas terrorist group.
Prior to recent attack on Israel, antisemitic incidents in US at historic levels
Prior to the Hamas, and now Hezbollah, attacking Israel, and as pro-Palestinian rallies and protests occur nationwide, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. were already at historic highs.
Biden to Push Israel, Ukraine Aid Package Well Over $2 Billion This Week
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that the Biden administration hopes to push a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine through Congress that will be significantly higher than $2 billion.
Christian News
Indonesia: Permit for Christian school withdrawn following pressure from Islamic groups
A Christian in school in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, has been told its permit will be withdrawn following pressure applied on local officials by Muslims, including members of the banned Islamic Defenders Front (IDF), Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
11 Church of England Bishops Reject Denominational Blessings for Same-Sex Couples
Eleven Church of England bishops have announced that they reject the denomination’s House of Bishops’ plans to introduce blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in legal partnerships, Christian Today (CT) reports. The ceremonies involve denomination-approved Prayers of Love and Faith that clergy who have chosen to conduct such blessings can use.
India: Radical Hindus attack, hospitalize Christians in Chhattisgarh state
Radical Hindu nationalists attacked a group of newly Christian believers in India’s Chhattisgarh state recently, causing a number of victims to be rushed to hospital, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, India ranks 11 on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.