Prophecy News Watch - October 23, 2023
Around the World
US gets personnel out of Iraq, warns citizens not to visit
The US State Department on Sunday ordered the departure of all non-emergency embassy personnel and their families from its Baghdad and Erbil embassies in Iraq, "due to increased security threats against US personnel and interests."
China, US Rush War Ships To Mideast As Fears Mount Of Broader Conflict
Fears were mounting Sunday that the Israel-Hamas war will grow into a broader armed conflict in the Middle East, centered around the Jewish nation, with the U.S. and its allies on one side and China and its partner Russia on the other.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US Concerned About Mideast Escalation Amid Pending Israeli Offensive (Videos)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern Sunday about the rapidly evolving tensions in the Middle East, suggesting they could escalate into a broader armed conflict involving Iran.
Israel Facing Growing Arab Pressure Over War Against Hamas
Two Western allies that made peace with Israel decades ago are losing patience with its two-week-old war against Hamas.
Israel Soldier Killed, Three Others Injured
An Israeli soldier was killed and three other troops wounded as they entered the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip ahead of an expected massive ground offensive, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sunday.
Israel Vows To Intensify Air Strikes After Killing ‘Dozens Of Terrorists’
Israel's military said Sunday it would intensify airstrikes on Gaza after “killing dozens of terrorists” in overnight attacks, but it warned Palestinians still in the north of the territory to flee south.
Israeli Army Says Nearly 7,000 Rockets Fired Towards Israel
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say more than 6,900 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel over the last two weeks, with over 450 failed launch attempts within the Palestinian enclave.
Israel Hits Targets In Lebanon After Rocket Attacks
Israel’s military released footage early Saturday local time that it said was the airforce hitting “terror targets” in neighboring Lebanon.
Hamas releases two hostages, American mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan
Hamas on Friday night released two hostages — Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter Natalie — who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the terror group’s October 7 assault on Israel.
Israel Says 20 Children Among 200 Hostages, Some Released
Israel’s military says some 20 children under the age of 18 are among roughly 200 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, where an Orthodox Church reportedly suffered damage in an air strike, killing many.
Gaza Church Hit In ‘Israeli Strike On Hamas’; Several Reported Killed
A Greek Orthodox church in the Gaza Strip sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians was hit overnight by a deadly Israeli air strike, church officials said, but Israel denied it was the intended target.
European Parliament Urges Elimination Of Hamas As Israel Unfolds Strategy
The European Union’s legislature says the “Hamas terror group” must be “eliminated” while Israel’s defense minister unfolds a plan for how to make that a reality.
Israel sets out 3 phases of war; will seek new ‘security regime’ once Hamas vanquished
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday laid out Israel’s objectives in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying that after the terror group has been destroyed, there will be a new “security reality” in the territory.
Inside the United States
US budget gap soars to $1.7 trillion, largest outside COVID era
The U.S. government on Friday posted a $1.695 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, a 23% jump from the prior year as revenues fell and outlays for Social Security, Medicare and record-high interest costs on the federal debt rose.
President Detroit Synagogue Killed; Investigation Ongoing
The president of a synagogue in the U.S. city of Detroit has been stabbed, police said, raising fears that the Israel-Hamas war is spreading to streets thousands of miles away.
Republican Jim Jordan Loses Vote For US House Speaker
The United States stumbled into more political upheaval Friday as Jim Jordan, the Republican legislator from the state of Ohio, was out of the race for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Christian News
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announces major Europe gathering to reinvigorate evangelism
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is preparing to gather Christian leaders from around Europe for a major gathering on evangelism.
Persecuted Christians Increasingly Denied Asylum in U.S.
As thousands of immigrants cross the United States’ southern border illegally every week, a recent report by two global Christian relief organizations has found that the U.S. has reduced the resettlement of Christians fleeing global persecution by 70% compared to 2016.
US gets personnel out of Iraq, warns citizens not to visit
The US State Department on Sunday ordered the departure of all non-emergency embassy personnel and their families from its Baghdad and Erbil embassies in Iraq, "due to increased security threats against US personnel and interests."
China, US Rush War Ships To Mideast As Fears Mount Of Broader Conflict
Fears were mounting Sunday that the Israel-Hamas war will grow into a broader armed conflict in the Middle East, centered around the Jewish nation, with the U.S. and its allies on one side and China and its partner Russia on the other.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US Concerned About Mideast Escalation Amid Pending Israeli Offensive (Videos)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern Sunday about the rapidly evolving tensions in the Middle East, suggesting they could escalate into a broader armed conflict involving Iran.
Israel Facing Growing Arab Pressure Over War Against Hamas
Two Western allies that made peace with Israel decades ago are losing patience with its two-week-old war against Hamas.
Israel Soldier Killed, Three Others Injured
An Israeli soldier was killed and three other troops wounded as they entered the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip ahead of an expected massive ground offensive, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sunday.
Israel Vows To Intensify Air Strikes After Killing ‘Dozens Of Terrorists’
Israel's military said Sunday it would intensify airstrikes on Gaza after “killing dozens of terrorists” in overnight attacks, but it warned Palestinians still in the north of the territory to flee south.
Israeli Army Says Nearly 7,000 Rockets Fired Towards Israel
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say more than 6,900 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel over the last two weeks, with over 450 failed launch attempts within the Palestinian enclave.
Israel Hits Targets In Lebanon After Rocket Attacks
Israel’s military released footage early Saturday local time that it said was the airforce hitting “terror targets” in neighboring Lebanon.
Hamas releases two hostages, American mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan
Hamas on Friday night released two hostages — Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter Natalie — who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the terror group’s October 7 assault on Israel.
Israel Says 20 Children Among 200 Hostages, Some Released
Israel’s military says some 20 children under the age of 18 are among roughly 200 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, where an Orthodox Church reportedly suffered damage in an air strike, killing many.
Gaza Church Hit In ‘Israeli Strike On Hamas’; Several Reported Killed
A Greek Orthodox church in the Gaza Strip sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians was hit overnight by a deadly Israeli air strike, church officials said, but Israel denied it was the intended target.
European Parliament Urges Elimination Of Hamas As Israel Unfolds Strategy
The European Union’s legislature says the “Hamas terror group” must be “eliminated” while Israel’s defense minister unfolds a plan for how to make that a reality.
Israel sets out 3 phases of war; will seek new ‘security regime’ once Hamas vanquished
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday laid out Israel’s objectives in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying that after the terror group has been destroyed, there will be a new “security reality” in the territory.
Inside the United States
US budget gap soars to $1.7 trillion, largest outside COVID era
The U.S. government on Friday posted a $1.695 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, a 23% jump from the prior year as revenues fell and outlays for Social Security, Medicare and record-high interest costs on the federal debt rose.
President Detroit Synagogue Killed; Investigation Ongoing
The president of a synagogue in the U.S. city of Detroit has been stabbed, police said, raising fears that the Israel-Hamas war is spreading to streets thousands of miles away.
Republican Jim Jordan Loses Vote For US House Speaker
The United States stumbled into more political upheaval Friday as Jim Jordan, the Republican legislator from the state of Ohio, was out of the race for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Christian News
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announces major Europe gathering to reinvigorate evangelism
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is preparing to gather Christian leaders from around Europe for a major gathering on evangelism.
Persecuted Christians Increasingly Denied Asylum in U.S.
As thousands of immigrants cross the United States’ southern border illegally every week, a recent report by two global Christian relief organizations has found that the U.S. has reduced the resettlement of Christians fleeing global persecution by 70% compared to 2016.